HYMN CXXIV. Agni, Etc.

COME to this offering of ours, O Agni, threefold, with seven threads and five divisions.

Be our oblation-bearer and preceder: thou hast lain lon enough in during darkness.

I come a Deva foreseeing from the godless to immortality by secret pathways, While I, ungracious one, desert the gracious, leave mine own friends and seek the kin of strangers.

1, looking to the guest of other lineage, have founded many a rule of Law and Order. I bid farewell to the Great Deva, the Father, and, for neglect, obtain my share of worship.

I tarried many a year within this altar: I leave the Father, for my choice is Indra. Away pass Agni, Indra and Soma. Rule ever changes: this I come to favour.

These Devass have lost their powers of magic. But thou, O Indra, if thou dost love me, O King, discerning truth and right from falsehood, come and be Lord and Ruler of my kingdom.

Here is the light of Heaven, here allis lovely; here there is radiance, here is air's wide region. Let us two slaughter VαΉ›tra. Forth, O Soma! Thou art oblation: we therewith will serve thee.

The Sage hath fixed his form by wisdom in the heavens: Indra with no violence let the waters flow. Like women-folk, the floods that bring prosperity have eau lit his hue and colour as they gleamed and shone.

These wait upon his loftiest power and vigour: he dwells in these who triumph in their Godhead; And they, like people who elect their ruler, have in abhorrence turned away from VαΉ›tra.

They call him Swan, the abhorrent floods' Companion, moving in friendship with celestial Waters. The poets in their thought have looked on Indra swiftly approaching when Anustup calls him.