MANDALA I, HYMN 127.

ASHTAKA II, ADHYAYA 1, VARGA 12-13.

1. I deem Agni to be the munificent Hotri, the Vasu, the Son of strength , Gatavedas, like a priest, Gatavedas : the best performer of the sacrifice, the god who with his upright body that is turned towards the gods, and with his flame longs for the shine of the (boiling) ghee , of the butter that is offered in (the fire).

2. May we, the sacrificers, call thee hither, the best of sacrificers , the first of the Angiras, O priest, with our prayers, with priestly prayers, O bright one : thee who like the heaven encompassest the earth , the Hotri of human tribes, the manly flame-haired, whom these folks--whom all folks should favour in order to speed him (to our sacrifice).

3. He indeed, shining mightily with his shining strength , becomes the conqueror of deceitful foes --like an axe, the conqueror of deceitful foes . He at whose onslaught even what is strong melts away , steady things (waste away) like forests (which are burnt or bend down in the storm) . Conquering he holds himself back; he does not proceed . As with a conquering bow-man he proceeds .

4. Even what is firm gives way before him: thus it is known. With hottest kindling-sticks one worships him for winning his favour, one worships Agni for winning his favour. He who dives into many forests as if carving the wood with his flame, destroys even firm food with his strength--he destroys even what is firm with his strength.

5. Let us place that power of his in our neighbourhood --(that power) which is more visible by night than by day --(more visible) than by day to the unremitting (worshipper). Therefore his life is a firm hold , like (a father's) safe refuge to a son: (the fires) that never grow old, tending to blessings enjoyed or not enjoyed (before) --the fires that never grow old, tending (to such blessings).

6. He indeed makes a mighty noise like the host of the Maruts, ... on the rich fields, ... on the ... . He, the seizer, ate the offerings , he who has deservedly become the banner of the sacrifice. And when he joyously and joyfully (proceeds), all followed gladly on his path; men (have followed) his path as for a triumphal procession.

7. When forsooth the Kistas striving for heaven, when the Bhrigus have addressed him paying reverence--the Bhrigus producing him by attrition, with worship: Agni is the lord of goods, the bright one, who is their supporter. May the wise one accept the wonted coverings ; may the wise one accept them.

8. We invoke thee, the lord of all people, the common master of the house of all, to enjoy (the sacrifice): (we call) thee who truly art carried by prayers as by a vehicle to enjoy (the sacrifice): the guest of men in whose presence (they live) as before a father's (face), and all those immortals (attain) to strength, and the offerings among the gods (attain) to strength.