MANDALA IV, HYMN 5.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 1-3.

1. How may we unanimously offer mighty light to bountiful Agni Vaisvanara? With his mighty perfect growth he supports the high bank like a pillar.

2. Do not reproach Him, the self-dependent one, who has given this bounty to me, the god to the mortal, the clever one to the simple, the wise immortal, the most manly, restless Agni Vaisvanara.

3. Agni, the sharp-pointed, the mighty bull with thousandfold sperm, has proclaimed to me the great, doubly-powerful Saman, the prayer, having found, as it were, the hidden track of a cow .

4. May Agni, he who is rich in wealth, whose teeth are sharp, consume with his hottest flames those who violate the laws founded by Varuna, the beloved, firm (laws) of attentive Mitra.

5 . They who roam about like brotherless girls , of evil conduct like women who deceive their husbands, being wicked, sinful, and untrue--they have created for themselves this deep place .

6. On me, however small, but innocent, thou, O purifying Agni, hast fiercely placed this mighty, deep, vigorous prayer, like a heavy burden, this Prishtha , consisting of seven elements .

7. Let our prayer which purifies Him, through the power of mind (inherent in it), reach Him who is the common (property of all men) alike, the good (name?) of Prisni on the skin of the herbs, on the summit of the ... .

8. What should be openly uttered by me of this speech? They secretly speak of that which is hidden . When they have uncovered, as it were, the water of the cows , he guards the beloved summit of the ... , the footstep of the bird .

9. He has found in secret that great face of the great ones which the bright cow accompanied , the ancient (face) shining in the abode of Rita, the quickly running, quickly moving.

10. And resplendent near his parents (Heaven and Earth), in their presence, he thought of the secret, good (name?) of Prisni. The tongue of the manly, forward-bent flame (seized) that which was near at hand in the highest abode of the mother, the cow .

11. I speak, when being asked, Rita (i. e. truth), out of reverence (for Agni, or for the gods), out of hope placed in thee, O Gatavedas, as I am here . Thou rulest over all this wealth whatever (dwells) in heaven and earth.

12. Which of this wealth is ours, what treasure? Mayst thou who knowest it declare to us (that treasure), O Gatavedas! What is the highest (aim) of this our way, is hidden. We have not come scolding to an empty (?) place.

13 . What is the limit, what the objects? What pleasant (wealth) may we obtain as swift (horses gain) the prize? When will the Dawns, the divine consorts of the immortal, expand over us with the sun's splendour?

14. And what do those insatiable ones here say, O Agni, with their sapless, feeble, weak speech that has to be listened to? Let them unarmed fall into nothingness.