MANDALA I, HYMN 58.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 4, VARGA 23-24.

1. The strength-begotten immortal never grows tired , when he, the Hotri, has become the messenger of Vivasvat . He passes through the air on the best paths. In the divine world he invites (the gods) with the sacrificial food.

2. Seizing his own food the undecaying, greedy (Agni) stands on the brushwood wishing to drink. When he has been sprinkled (with ghee), he shines like a racer with his back . Thundering he has roared like the ridge of heaven.

3. As soon as the Rudras, the Vasus have made him their Purohita, the immortal sitting down as Hotri, the conqueror of wealth, pressing forward like a chariot among the clans, among the Ayus , the god in due course discloses desirable boons.

4. Stirred by the wind he spreads among the brushwood lightly ,(driven forward) by the sacrificial ladles, with his sickle , loudly roaring. When thou, O Agni, thirstily rushest on the wooden sticks like a bull , thy course, O never-aging god with fiery waves, becomes black .

5. He who has fiery jaws, stirred by the wind, blazes down on the forest as a strong bull (rushes) on the herd. When he proceeds with his stream of light to the imperishable atmosphere, then what is moveable and immoveable (and) the winged (birds) are afraid.

6. The Bhrigus have placed thee among men, who art beautiful like a treasure, who art easy to

invoke for people; thee the Hotri, O Agni, the excellent guest, a delightful friend like Mitra to the divine race!

7. I worship with good cheer Agni the steward of all treasures, whom the seven ladles (of the priests), the worshippers choose as the Hotri, the best sacrificer at the rites, and I pray for treasure .

8. Son of strength, great like Mitra, grant to-day flawless protection to us who magnify thee. Agni! guard from distress with strongholds of iron him who praises thee, O offspring of vigour!

9. Be a shelter to him who praises thee, O resplendent one; be protection, generous giver, to the generous. Agni! guard him who praises thee from distress. May he who gives wealth for our prayer, come quickly in the morning .

NOTES.

The hymn is ascribed to Nodhas Gautama, who is considered as the Rishi of the whole collection, I, 58-64. This tradition is based on, and confirmed by, several passages of the text: I, 61, 14; 62, 13; 64, 1.

The metre is Gagati verses 1-5, Trishtubh verses 6-9. None of the verses of this hymn occurs in the other Samhitas.

Verse 1.