Sukta 16

त्वमग्ने यज्ञानां होता विश्वेषां हितः। देवेभिर्मानुषे जने॥

tvamagne yajñānāṁ hotā viśveṣāṁ hitaḥ | devebhirmānuṣe jane ||

PRIEST of all sacrifices hast thou been appointed by the Gods, Agni, amid the race of man.

स नो मन्द्राभिरध्वरे जिह्वाभिर्यजा महः। आ देवान्वक्षि यक्षि च॥

sa no mandrābhiradhvare jihvābhiryajā mahaḥ | ā devānvakṣi yakṣi ca ||

So with thy joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite. Bring thou the Gods and worship them.

वेत्था हि वेधो अध्वनः पथश्च देवाञ्जसा। अग्ने यज्ञेषु सुक्रतो॥

vetthā hi vedho adhvanaḥ pathaśca devāñjasā | agne yajñeṣu sukrato ||

For well, O God, Disposer, thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways, Agni, most wise in sacrifice.

त्वामीळे अध द्विता भरतो वाजिभिः शुनम्। ईजे यज्ञेषु यज्ञियम्॥

tvāmīḻe adha dvitā bharato vājibhiḥ śunam | īje yajñeṣu yajñiyam ||

Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss. And worshipped thee the worshipful.

त्वमिमा वार्या पुरु दिवोदासाय सुन्वते। भरद्वाजाय दाशुषे॥

tvamimā vāryā puru divodāsāya sunvate | bharadvājāya dāśuṣe ||

Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodasa pouring forth, To Bharadvaja offering gifts.

त्वं दूतो अमर्त्य आ वहा दैव्यं जनम्। शृण्वन्विप्रस्य सुष्टुतिम्॥

tvaṁ dūto amartya ā vahā daivyaṁ janam | śṛṇvanviprasya suṣṭutim ||

Do thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk; Hearing the singer's eulogy.

त्वामग्ने स्वाध्यो मर्तासो देववीतये। यज्ञेषु देवमीळते॥

tvāmagne svādhyo martāso devavītaye | yajñeṣu devamīḻate ||

Mortals with pious thought implore thee, Agni, God, at holy rites, To come unto the feast of Gods.

तव प्र यक्षि संदृशमुत क्रतुं सुदानवः। विश्वे जुषन्त कामिनः॥

tava pra yakṣi saṁdṛśamuta kratuṁ sudānavaḥ | viśve juṣanta kāminaḥ ||

I glorify thine aspect and the might of thee the Bountilul. All those who love shall joy in thee,

त्वं होता मनुर्हितो वह्निरासा विदुष्टरः। अग्ने यक्षि दिवो विशः॥

tvaṁ hotā manurhito vahnirāsā viduṣṭaraḥ | agne yakṣi divo viśaḥ ||

Invoker placed by Manus, thou, Agni, art near, the wisest Priest: Pay worship to the Tribes of Heaven.

अग्न आ याहि वीतये गृणानो हव्यदातये। नि होता सत्सि बर्हिषि॥

agna ā yāhi vītaye gṛṇāno havyadātaye | ni hotā satsi barhiṣi ||

Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts. As Priest be seated on the grass.

तं त्वा समिद्भिरङ्गिरो घृतेन वर्धयामसि। बृहच्छोचा यविष्ठ्य॥

taṁ tvā samidbhiraṅgiro ghṛtena vardhayāmasi | bṛhacchocā yaviṣṭhya ||

So, Angiras, we make thee strong with fuel and with holy oil. Blaze high, thou youngest of the Gods.

स नः पृथु श्रवाय्यमच्छा देव विवाससि। बृहदग्ने सुवीर्यम्॥

sa naḥ pṛthu śravāyyamacchā deva vivāsasi | bṛhadagne suvīryam ||

For us thou winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great, Far-spreading and of high renown.

त्वामग्ने पुष्करादध्यथर्वा निरमन्थत। मूर्ध्नो विश्वस्य वाघतः॥

tvāmagne puṣkarādadhyatharvā niramanthata | mūrdhno viśvasya vāghataḥ ||

Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower, The head of Visva, of the Priest.

तमु त्वा दध्यङ्ङृषिः पुत्र ईधे अथर्वणः। वृत्रहणं पुरंदरम्॥

tamu tvā dadhyaṅṅṛṣiḥ putra īdhe atharvaṇaḥ | vṛtrahaṇaṁ puraṁdaram ||

Thee. Vrtra's slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan's son, Dadhyac the Rsi, lighted up.

तमु त्वा पाथ्यो वृषा समीधे दस्युहन्तमम्। धनंजयं रणेरणे॥

tamu tvā pāthyo vṛṣā samīdhe dasyuhantamam | dhanaṁjayaṁ raṇeraṇe ||

The hero Pathya kindled thee the Dasyus'. most destructive foe, Winner of spoil in every fight.

एह्यू षु ब्रवाणि तेऽग्न इत्थेतरा गिरः। एभिर्वर्धास इन्दुभिः॥

ehyū ṣu bravāṇi te'gna itthetarā giraḥ | ebhirvardhāsa indubhiḥ ||

Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee, And with these drops shalt thou grow strong.

यत्र क्व च ते मनो दक्षं दधस उत्तरम्। तत्रा सदः कृणवसे॥

yatra kva ca te mano dakṣaṁ dadhasa uttaram | tatrā sadaḥ kṛṇavase ||

Where'er tby mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast thou: There wilt thou gain a dwelling-place.

नहि ते पूर्तमक्षिपद्भुवन्नेमानां वसो। अथा दुवो वनवसे॥

nahi te pūrtamakṣipadbhuvannemānāṁ vaso | athā duvo vanavase ||

Not for a moment only lasts thy bounty, good to many a one! Our service therefore shalt thou gain.

आग्निरगामि भारतो वृत्रहा पुरुचेतनः। दिवोदासस्य सत्पतिः॥

āgniragāmi bhārato vṛtrahā purucetanaḥ | divodāsasya satpatiḥ ||

Agni, the Bharata, hath been sought, the Vrtra-slayer, marked of all, Yea, Divodasa's Hero Lord.

स हि विश्वाति पार्थिवा रयिं दाशन्महित्वना। वन्वन्नवातो अस्तृतः॥

sa hi viśvāti pārthivā rayiṁ dāśanmahitvanā | vanvannavāto astṛtaḥ ||

For he gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth, Fighting untroubled, unsubdued.

स प्रत्नवन्नवीयसाग्ने द्युम्नेन संयता। बृहत्ततन्थ भानुना॥

sa pratnavannavīyasāgne dyumnena saṁyatā | bṛhattatantha bhānunā ||

Thou, Agni, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light, Hast overspread the lofty heaven.

प्र वः सखायो अग्नये स्तोमं यज्ञं च धृष्णुया। अर्च गाय च वेधसे॥

pra vaḥ sakhāyo agnaye stomaṁ yajñaṁ ca dhṛṣṇuyā | arca gāya ca vedhase ||

Bring to your Agni, O my friends, boldly your laud and sacrifice: Give the Disposer praise and song.

स हि यो मानुषा युगा सीदद्धोता कविक्रतुः। दूतश्च हव्यवाहनः॥

sa hi yo mānuṣā yugā sīdaddhotā kavikratuḥ | dūtaśca havyavāhanaḥ ||

For as sagacious Herald he hath sat through every age of man, Oblation-bearing messenger.

ता राजाना शुचिव्रतादित्यान्मारुतं गणम्। वसो यक्षीह रोदसी॥

tā rājānā śucivratādityānmārutaṁ gaṇam | vaso yakṣīha rodasī ||

Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, Adityas, and the Marut host, Excellent God! and Heaven and Earth.

वस्वी ते अग्ने संदृष्टिरिषयते मर्त्याय। ऊर्जो नपादमृतस्य॥

vasvī te agne saṁdṛṣṭiriṣayate martyāya | ūrjo napādamṛtasya ||

For strong and active mortal man, excellent, Agni, is the look Of thee Immortal, Son of Strength

क्रत्वा दा अस्तु श्रेष्ठोऽद्य त्वा वन्वन्सुरेक्णाः। मर्त आनाश सुवृक्तिम्॥

kratvā dā astu śreṣṭho'dya tvā vanvansurekṇāḥ | marta ānāśa suvṛktim ||

Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving thee to-day: The man hath brought his hymn of praise.

ते ते अग्ने त्वोता इषयन्तो विश्वमायुः। तरन्तो अर्यो अरातीर्वन्वन्तो अर्यो अरातीः॥

te te agne tvotā iṣayanto viśvamāyuḥ | taranto aryo arātīrvanvanto aryo arātīḥ ||

These, Agni, these are helped by thee, who strong and active all their lives, O'ercome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice ofthe foe.

अग्निस्तिग्मेन शोचिषा यासद्विश्वं न्यत्रिणम्। अग्निर्नो वनते रयिम्॥

agnistigmena śociṣā yāsadviśvaṁ nyatriṇam | agnirno vanate rayim ||

May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend May Agni win us wealth by war.

सुवीरं रयिमा भर जातवेदो विचर्षणे। जहि रक्षांसि सुक्रतो॥

suvīraṁ rayimā bhara jātavedo vicarṣaṇe | jahi rakṣāṁsi sukrato ||

O active Jatavedas, bring riches with store of hero sons: Slay thou the demons, O Most Wise.

त्वं नः पाह्यंहसो जातवेदो अघायतः। रक्षा णो ब्रह्मणस्कवे॥

tvaṁ naḥ pāhyaṁhaso jātavedo aghāyataḥ | rakṣā ṇo brahmaṇaskave ||

Keep us, O Jatavedas, from the troubling of the man of sin: Guard us thou Sage who knowest prayer.

यो नो अग्ने दुरेव आ मर्तो वधाय दाशति। तस्मान्नः पाह्यंहसः॥

yo no agne dureva ā marto vadhāya dāśati | tasmānnaḥ pāhyaṁhasaḥ ||

Whatever sinner, Agni, brings oblations to procure our death, Save us from woe that he would work.

त्वं तं देव जिह्वया परि बाधस्व दुष्कृतम्। मर्तो यो नो जिघांसति॥

tvaṁ taṁ deva jihvayā pari bādhasva duṣkṛtam | marto yo no jighāṁsati ||

Drive from us with thy tongue, O God, the man who doeth evil deeds, The mortal who would strike us dead.

भरद्वाजाय सप्रथः शर्म यच्छ सहन्त्य। अग्ने वरेण्यं वसु॥

bharadvājāya saprathaḥ śarma yaccha sahantya | agne vareṇyaṁ vasu ||

Give shelter reaching far and wide to Bharadvaja, conquering Lord! Agni, send wealth most excellent.

अग्निर्वृत्राणि जङ्घनद्द्रविणस्युर्विपन्यया। समिद्धः शुक्र आहुतः॥

agnirvṛtrāṇi jaṅghanaddraviṇasyurvipanyayā | samiddhaḥ śukra āhutaḥ ||

May Agni slay the Vrtras,-fain for riches, through the lord of song, Served with oblation, kindled, bright.

गर्भे मातुः पितुष्पिता विदिद्युतानो अक्षरे। सीदन्नृतस्य योनिमा॥

garbhe mātuḥ pituṣpitā vididyutāno akṣare | sīdannṛtasya yonimā ||

His Father's Father, shining in his Mother's everlasting side, Set on the seat of holy Law.

ब्रह्म प्रजावदा भर जातवेदो विचर्षणे। अग्ने यद्दीदयद्दिवि॥

brahma prajāvadā bhara jātavedo vicarṣaṇe | agne yaddīdayaddivi ||

O active Jatavedas, bring devotion that wins progeny, Agni, that it may shine to heaven.

उप त्वा रण्वसंदृशं प्रयस्वन्तः सहस्कृत। अग्ने ससृज्महे गिरः॥

upa tvā raṇvasaṁdṛśaṁ prayasvantaḥ sahaskṛta | agne sasṛjmahe giraḥ ||

O Child of Strength, to thee whose look is lovely we with dainty food, O Agni, have poured forth our songs.

उप च्छायामिव घृणेरगन्म शर्म ते वयम्। अग्ने हिरण्यसंदृशः॥

upa cchāyāmiva ghṛṇeraganma śarma te vayam | agne hiraṇyasaṁdṛśaḥ ||

To thee for shelter are we come, as to the shade from fervent heat Agni, who glitterest like gold.

य उग्र इव शर्यहा तिग्मशृङ्गो न वंसगः। अग्ने पुरो रुरोजिथ॥

ya ugra iva śaryahā tigmaśṛṅgo na vaṁsagaḥ | agne puro rurojitha ||

Mighty as one who slays with shafts, or like a bull with sharpened horn, Agni, thou breakest down the forts.

आ यं हस्ते न खादिनं शिशुं जातं न बिभ्रति। विशामग्निं स्वध्वरम्॥

ā yaṁ haste na khādinaṁ śiśuṁ jātaṁ na bibhrati | viśāmagniṁ svadhvaram ||

Whom, like an infant newly born, devourer, in their arms they bear, Men's Agni, skilled in holy rites.

प्र देवं देववीतये भरता वसुवित्तमम्। आ स्वे योनौ नि षीदतु॥

pra devaṁ devavītaye bharatā vasuvittamam | ā sve yonau ni ṣīdatu ||

Bear to the banquet of the Gods the God best finder-out of wealth, Let him he seated in his place.

आ जातं जातवेदसि प्रियं शिशीतातिथिम्। स्योन आ गृहपतिम्॥

ā jātaṁ jātavedasi priyaṁ śiśītātithim | syona ā gṛhapatim ||

In Jatavedas kindle ye the dear guest who hath now appeared In a soft place, the homestead's Lord.

अग्ने युक्ष्वा हि ये तवाश्वासो देव साधवः। अरं वहन्ति मन्यवे॥

agne yukṣvā hi ye tavāśvāso deva sādhavaḥ | araṁ vahanti manyave ||

Harness, O Agni, O thou God, thy steeds which are most excellent: They bear thee as thy spirit wills.

अच्छा नो याह्या वहाभि प्रयांसि वीतये। आ देवान्सोमपीतये॥

acchā no yāhyā vahābhi prayāṁsi vītaye | ā devānsomapītaye ||

Come hither, bring the Gods to us to taste the sacrificial feast, To drink the draught of Soma juice.

उदग्ने भारत द्युमदजस्रेण दविद्युतत्। शोचा वि भाह्यजर॥

udagne bhārata dyumadajasreṇa davidyutat | śocā vi bhāhyajara ||

O Agni of the Bharatas, blaze high with everlasting might, Shine forth and gleam, Eternal One.

वीती यो देवं मर्तो दुवस्येदग्निमीळीताध्वरे हविष्मान्। होतारं सत्ययजं रोदस्योरुत्तानहस्तो नमसा विवासेत्॥

vītī yo devaṁ marto duvasyedagnimīḻītādhvare haviṣmān | hotāraṁ satyayajaṁ rodasyoruttānahasto namasā vivāset ||

The mortal man who serves the God with banquet, and, bringing gifts at sacrifice, lauds Agni, May well attract, with prayer and hands uplifted, the Priest of Heaven and Earth, true Sacrificer.

आ ते अग्न ऋचा हविर्हृदा तष्टं भरामसि। ते ते भवन्तूक्षण ऋषभासो वशा उत॥

ā te agna ṛcā havirhṛdā taṣṭaṁ bharāmasi | te te bhavantūkṣaṇa ṛṣabhāso vaśā uta ||

Agni, we bring thee, with our hymn, oblation fashioned in the heart. Let these be oxen unto thee, let these be bulls and kine to thee.

अग्निं देवासो अग्रियमिन्धते वृत्रहन्तमम्। येना वसून्याभृता तृळ्हा रक्षांसि वाजिना॥

agniṁ devāso agriyamindhate vṛtrahantamam | yenā vasūnyābhṛtā tṛḻhā rakṣāṁsi vājinā ||

The Gods enkindle Agni, best slayer of Vrtra, first in rank, The Mighty, One who brings us wealth and crushes down the Raksasas.