MANDALA I, HYMN 72.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 17-18.

1. He has brought down (i. e. surpassed) the wisdom of many a worshipper , he who holds in his hand all manly power. Agni has become the lord of treasures, he who brought together all (powers of) immortality.

2 . All the clever immortals when seeking did not find the calf though sojourning round about us. The attentive (gods), wearying themselves, following his footsteps , stood at the highest, beautiful standing-place of Agni.

3. When the bright ones had done service to thee, the bright one, Agni, with Ghrita through three autumns, they assumed worshipful names; the well-born shaped their own bodies.

4. Acquiring (or, exploring?) for themselves the two great worlds, the worshipful ones brought forward their Rudra-like powers . The mortal, when (beings) were in discord , perceived and found out Agni standing in the highest place.

5. Being like-minded they reverentially approached him on their knees. Together with their wives they venerated the venerable one . Abandoning their bodies they made them their own , the (one) friend waking when the (other) friend closed his eyes .

6. When the worshipful (gods) have discovered the thrice seven secret steps (or, places) laid down in thee, they concordantly guard with them immortality.

[paragraph continues] Protect thou the cattle and that which remains steadfast and that which moves.

7. Knowing, O Agni, the established orders of (human) dwellings, distribute in due order gifts that they may live. Knowing the ways which the gods go , thou hast become the unwearied messenger, the bearer of oblations.

8. They who knew the right way and were filled with good intentions, beheld from heaven the seven young (rivers) and the doors of riches. Sarama found the strong stable of the cows from which human clans receive their nourishment .

9. The Earth has spread herself far and wide with them who are great in their greatness, the mother Aditi, for the refreshment of the bird , with her sons who have assumed all powers of their own dominion , preparing (for themselves) the way to immortality.

10. When the immortals created the two eyes of heaven , they placed fair splendour in him (Agni) . Then they rush down like streams let loose. The red ones have recognised, O Agni, those which are directed downwards .

NOTES.

The same Rishi and metre.--Verse 1 = TS. II, 2, 12, 1. Verse 3 = TB. II, 4, 5, 6. Verses 8-9 = TB. II, 5, 8, 10.

Verse 1.

Note [1:72:1:1]1. The meaning seems to me to be: by his wisdom he excels all human wisdom. Prof. Max Muller translates: 'Agni, who holds in his hand all that men desire, conquers

[paragraph continues] (or, wins for himself) the praises of many a wise worshipper.' And the last Pada: 'he who brought together all immortal blessings.'--On sasvat, see VI, 61, 1; VII, 18, 18; VIII, 23, 28.