HYMN XCI. Agni.

LORD of the house, Sage, ever young, high power of life, O Agni, Deva, Thou givest to thy worshipper.

So with our song that prays and serves, attentive, Lord of spreading light, Agni, bring hitherward the Devas.

For, Ever-Youthful One, with thee, best Furtherer, as our ally, We overcome, to win the spoil.

As Aurva Bhṛgu used, as Apnavāna used, I call the pure Agni who clothes him with the sea.

1 call the Sage who sounds like wind, the Might that like Parjanya roars, Agni who clothes him with the sea.

As Indra's productive Power, as him who sends down bliss, I call Agni who clothes him with the sea.

Hither, for powerful kirship, I call Agni, him Who prospers you, most frequent at our solemn rites

That through this famed One's power, h. May stand by us even as Tvaṣṭar comes Unto the forms that must he shaped.

This Agni is the Lord supreme above all glories mid the Devas: May he come nigh to us with strength.

Here praise ye him the most renowned of all the ministering Monks, Agni, the Chief at offering;

Piercing, with purifying flame, enkindled in our homes, most high, Swiftest to hear from far away.

Sage, laud the Mighty One who wins the spoil of victory like a steed, and, Mitra like, unites the folk.

Still turning to their aim in thee, the oblation-bearer's sister hymns Have come to thee before the wind.

The waters find their place in him, for whom the threefold sacred grass Is spread unbound, unlimited.

The station of the Bounteous Deva hath, through his aid which none impair, a pleasant aspect like the Sun.

Blazing with splendour, Agni, Deva, through pious gifts of sacred oil. Bring thou the Devas and worship them.

The Devas as mothers brought thee forth, the Immortal Sage, O Aṅgiras, the bearer of our gifts to Heaven.

Wise Agni, Devas established thee, the Seer, noblest messenger, as bearer of our sacred gifts.

No cow have I to call mine own, no axe at hand wherewith to work, Yet what is here I bring to thee.

O Agni, whatsoever be the fuel that we lay for thee, be pleased therewith, most Youthful Deva

That which the white-ant cats away, that over which the emmet crawls- May all of this be oil to thee.

When he enkindles Agni, man should with his heart attend the song: I with the monks have kindled him.