Sama Veda

FIRST PART

BOOK I

Chapter I

Decade V Agni

1

With this mine homage I invoke Agni for you, the Son of Strength,
Dear, wisest envoy, skilled in noble sacrifice, immortal messenger of all.

2

 Thou liest in the logs that are thy mothers: mortals kindle thee.
Alert thou bearest off the sacrifleer's gift, and then thou shinest to the Gods.

3

He hath appeared, best prosperer, in whom men lay their holy acts:
So may our songs of praise come nigh to Agni who was born to give the Arya strength!

4

Chief Priest is Agni at the laud, as stones and grass at sacrifice.
Gods! Maruts! Brahmanaspati! I crave with song the help that is most excellent.

5

Pray Agni of the piercing flame, with sacred songs, to be our help;
For wealth, famed Agni, Purumilha and ye men! He is Suditi's sure defence.

6

Hear, Agni who hast ears to hear, with all thy train of escort Gods!
With those who come at dawn let Mitra, Aryaman sit on the grass at sacrifice.

7

Agni of Divodasa, God, comes forth like Indra in his might.
Rapidly hath he moved along his mother earth: he stands in high heaven's dwelling-place.

8

Whether thou come from earth or from the lofty lucid realm of heaven,
Wax stronger in thy body through my song of praise: fill full all creatures, O most wise!

9

If, loving well the forests, thou wentest to thy maternal floods,
Not to be scorned, Agni, is that return of thine when, from afar, thou now art here.

10

O Agni, Manu stablished thee a light for all the race of men:
With Kanva hast thou blazed, Law-born and waxen strong, thou whom the people reverence.