Sama Veda

FIRST PART

BOOK IV

Chapter I

Decade IV Agni and others

1

O Agni, God, we kindle thee, refulgent, wasting not away,
That this more glorious fuel may send forth for thee its shine to heaven. Bring food to those who sing thy praise!

2

With offerings of our own we choose thee, Agni, as our Hotar priest,
Piercing and brightly shining-at your glad carouse-served with trimmed grass at sacrifice. Thou waxest great.

3

O heavenly Dawn, awaken us to ample opulence to-day,
Even as thou didst waken us with Satyasravas, Vayya's son, high born! delightful with thy steeds!

4

Send us a mind that brings delight, send energy and mental power.
Then-at your glad carouse-let men joy in thy love, sweet juice! as kine in pasturage. Thou waxest great,

5

Great, as his nature is, through power, terrible, he hath waxed in strength,
Lord of bay steeds, strong-jawed, sublime, he in joined hands for glory's sake hath grasped his iron thunderbolt.

6

He, Indra, verily will mount the powerful car that finds the kine,
Who thinks upon the well-filled bowl, the tawny coursers' harnesser. Now, Indra, yoke thy two bay steeds!

7

I think of Agni who is kind, whom, as their home, the milch-kine seek:
Whom fleet-foot coursers seek as home, and strong enduring steeds as home. Bring food to those who sing thy praise!

8

No peril, no severe distress, ye Gods, affects the mortal man
Whom Aryaman and Mitra lead, and Varuna, of one accord, beyond his foes.