MANDALA I, HYMN 44.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 3, VARGA 28-30.

1. Agni, at the rising of the dawn bring splendid wealth, immortal Gatavedas, to the worshipper, (and bring hither) to-day the gods awakening with the dawn.

2. For thou art the accepted messenger, the bearer of sacrificial food, O Agni, the charioteer of worship. United with the two Asvins and with the Dawn bestow on us abundance of valiant heroes, and high glory.

3. We choose to-day as our messenger Agni, the Vasu, the beloved of many, whose banner is smoke, whose ... is light, at the dawning of the day, the beautifier of sacrifices .

4. I magnify at the dawning of the day Agni Gatavedas, the best, the youngest guest, the best receiver of offerings, welcome to pious people, that he may go to the gods .

5. I shall praise thee, O food on which everything lives, immortal one , Agni, the immortal protector, O holy god, the best sacrificer, O bearer of sacrificial food.

6. Be kind-spoken to him who praises thee, O youngest god, honey-tongued, the best receiver of offerings. Lengthening Praskanva's life, that he may reach old age, do homage to the host of the gods.

7. The clans kindle thee, the all-possessing Hotri:

therefore conduct hither speedily, much-invoked Agni, the provident gods--

8. Savitri, the Dawn, the two Asvins, Bhaga, Agni , at the dawning (of the day), (at the end) of night . The Kanvas, having pressed Soma, inflame thee, the bearer of sacrificial food, O best performer of worship.

9. As thou, O Agni, art the lord of worship, the messenger of the clans, conduct hither to-day the gods awakening with the dawn, of sun-like aspect, that they may drink Soma.

10. Agni, rich in splendour! thou hast shone after the former dawns, visible to all. Thou art the guardian in the hamlets, the Purohita; thou be-longest to men at the sacrifices .

11. O Agni, let us put thee down (on the altar) as Manus did, O god, to be the performer of the sacrifice, the Hotri, the wise priest, the quick immortal messenger.

12. When thou, the Purohita of the gods, who art great like Mitra, goest on thy errand as messenger in their midst, then the flames of Agni shine like the roaring waves of the Sindhu .

13. Agni with thy attentive ears, hear me, together with the gods driven (on their chariots) who accompany thee. May Mitra and Aryaman sit down on the sacrificial grass, they who come to the ceremony early in the morning.

14. May the Maruts, they who give rain, the fire-tongued increasers of Rita, hear my praise. May Varuna, whose laws are firm, drink the Soma, united with the two Asvins and with the Dawn!

NOTES.