Rig Veda

RIG VEDA – BOOK ONE
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HYMN CXL. Agni.
1 To splendid Agni seated by the altar, loving well his home, I
bring the food as 'twere his place of birth.
I clothe the bright One with my hymn as with a robe, him with
the car of light, bright-hued, dispelling gloom.
2 Child of a double birth he grasps at triple food; in the year's
course what he hath swallowed grows anew.
He, by another's mouth and tongue a noble Bull, with other, as
an elephant, consumes the trees.
3 The pair who dwell together, moving in the dark bestir
themselves: both parents hasten to the babe,
Impetuous-tongued, destroying, springing swiftly forth, one to
be watched and cherished, strengthener of his sire.
4 For man, thou Friend of men, these steeds of thine are yoked,
impatient, lightly running, ploughing blackened lines,
Discordant-minded, fleet, gliding with easy speed, urged
onward by the wind and rapid in their course.
5 Dispelling on their way the horror of black gloom , making a
glorious show these flames Of his fly forth,
When o'er the spacious tract he spreads himself abroad, and
rushes panting on with thunder and with roar.
6 Amid brown plants he stoops as if adorning them, and rushes
bellowing like a bull upon his wives.
Proving his might, he decks the glory of his form, and shakes
his horns like one terrific, bard to stay.
7 Now covered, now displayed he grasps as one who knows
his resting-place in those who know him well.
A second time they wax and gather Godlike power, and
blending both together change their Parents' form.
8 The maidens with long, tresses hold him in embrace; dead,
they rise up again to meet the Living One.
Releasing them from age with a loud roar he comes, filling
them with new spirit, living, unsubdued.
9 Licking the mantle of the Mother, far and wide he wanders
over fields with beasts that flee apace.
Strengthening all that walk, licking up all around, a blackened
path, forsooth, he leaves where'er he goes.
10 O Agni, shine resplendent with our wealthy chiefs, like a
loud-snorting bull, accustomed to the house.
Thou casting off thine infant wrappings blazest forth as though
thou hadst put on a coat of mail for war.
11 May this our perfect prayer be dearer unto thee than an
imperfect prayer although it please thee well.
With the pure brilliancy that radiates from thy form, mayest
thou grant to us abundant store of wealth.
12 Grant to our chariot, to our house, O Agni, a boat with
moving feet and constant oarage,
One that may further well our wealthy princes and all the folk,
and be our certain refuge.
13 Welcome our laud with thine approval, Agni. May earth
and heaven and freely flowing rivers
Yield us long life and food and corn and cattle, and may the
red Dawns choose for us their choicest.
HYMN CXLI. Agni.
1. YEA, verily, the fair effulgence of the God for glory was
established, since he sprang from strength.
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When he inclines thereto successful is the hymn: the songs of
sacrifice have brought him as they flow
2 Wonderful, rich in nourishment, he dwells in food; next, in
the seven auspicious Mothers is his home.
Thirdly, that they might drain the treasures of the Bull, the
maidens brought forth him for whom the ten provide.
3 What time from out the deep, from the Steer's wondrous
form, the Chiefs who had the power produced him with their
strength;
When Matarisvan rubbed forth him who lay concealed, for
mixture of the sweet drink, in the days of old.
4 When from the Highest Father he is brought to us, amid the
plants he rises hungry, wondrously.
As both together join to expedite his birth, most youthful he is
born resplendent in his light.
5 Then also entered he the Mothers, and in them pure and
uninjured he increased in magnitude.
As to the first he rose, the vigorous from of old, so now he
runs among the younger lowest ones.
6 Therefore they choose him Herald at the morning rites,
pressing to him as unto Bhaga, pouring gifts,
When, much-praised, by the power and will of Gods, he goes
at all times to his mortal worshipper to drink.
7 What time the Holy One, wind-urged, hath risen up, serpentlike
winding through the dry grass unrestrained,
Dust lies upon the way of him who burneth all, black-winged
and pure of birth who follows sundry paths.
8 Like a swift chariot made by men who know their art, he
with his red limbs lifts himself aloft to heaven.
Thy worshippers become by burning black of hue: their
strength flies as before a hero's violence.
9 By thee, O Agni, Varuna who guards the Law, Mitra and
Aryaman, the Bounteous, are made strong;
For, as the felly holds the spokes, thou with thy might
pervading hast been born encompassing them round.
10 Agni, to him who toils and pours libations, thou, Most
Youthful! sendest wealth and all the host of Gods.
Thee, therefore, even as Bhaga, will we set anew, young Child
of Strength, most wealthy! in our battle-song.
11 Vouchsafe us riches turned to worthy ends, good luck
abiding in the house, and strong capacity,
Wealth that directs both worlds as they were guiding-reins,
and, very Wise, the Gods' assent in sacrifice.
12 May he, the Priest resplendent, joyful, hear us, he with the
radiant car and rapid horses.
May Agni, ever wise, with best directions to bliss and highest
happiness conduct us.
13 With hymns of might hath Agni now been lauded, advanced
to height of universal kingship.
Now may these wealthy chiefs and we together spread forth as
spreads the Sun above the rain-clouds.
HYMN CXLII Apris.
1. KINDLED, bring, Agni, Gods to-day for him who lifts the
ladle up.
Spin out the ancient thread for him who sheds, with gifts, the
Soma juice.