MANDALA I, HYMN 95.

ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 7, VARGA 1-2.

1. Two (sisters) of different shapes wander along, pursuing a good aim. The one and the other suckles the calf . With the one (the calf) is golden, moving according to its wont . With the other it is seen clear, full of fine splendour.

2. The ten unwearied young women have brought forth this widely-spread germ of Tvashtri . Him, the sharp-faced (Agni) who is endowed with his own splendour, the shining one, they carry around among men.

3. They celebrate his three births: one in the sea, one in heaven, one in the waters . In the eastern region he commanding determines the seasons of the dwellers on earth by his present power .

4. Who among you has understood this hidden (god)? The calf has by itself given birth to its mothers . The germ of many (mothers), the great seer, moving by his own strength, comes forward from the lap of the active ones .

5 . The fair (child Agni) grows up visibly in them in his own glory, standing erect in the lap of the down-streaming (waters). Both (Heaven and Earth) fled away in fear of (the son of) Tvashtri , when he was born, but turning back they caress the lion.

6. They caress him both, like two kind women; like lowing cows they have approached him in their own way. He has become the lord of all

powers , he whom they anoint with sacrificial gifts from the right side .

7. He raises his arms again and again like Savitri . He the terrible pressing on ranges both wings (of his army). He raises up his bright vesture from himself alone . He gives new garments to his mothers.

8. He assumes his fierce appearance which is above (i. e. the lightning?), being united with the cows , the waters in his seat. The prayer purifies the bottom of the seer (?) . This was the meeting among the gods .

9. The wide space encompasses thy base, the resplendent foundation of the buffalo. Agni! Being kindled protect us with all thy undeceivable guardians who are endowed with their own splendour.

10. On the dry ground he produces a stream , a course, a flood. With his bright floods he reaches the earth. Whatever is old he receives into his belly. He moves about within the young sprouting grass .

11. Thus, O Agni, being strengthened by fuel, shine thou to us with wealth-giving shine, O purifier, for the sake of glory. May Mitra and Varuna grant us this, may Aditi, Sindhu, the Earth, and the Sky!

NOTES.

The same Rishi. The metre is Trishtubh.--Verse 1 = VS. XXXIII, 5; TB. II, 7, 12, 2. Verse 2 = TB. II, 8, 7, 4. Verse 5 = TB. II, 8, 7, 4; MS. IV, 14, 8.

Verse 1.

Note [1:95:1:1]1. The two females are evidently Night and Dawn