Rig Veda
viśve devāḥ śāstana mā yatheha hotā vṛto manavai yan niṣadya pra me brūta bhāgadheyaṃ yathā vo yena pathā havyam ā vo vahāni
Instruct me, all ye Gods, how I, elected your Priest, must seat me here, and how address you. Instruct me how to deal to each his portion, and by what ' path to bring you man's oblation.
ahaṃ hotā ny asīdaṃ yajīyān viśve devā maruto mā junanti ahar ahar aśvinādhvaryavaṃ vām brahmā samid bhavati sāhutir vām
I sit as Priest most skilled in sacrificing: the Maruts and all Deities impel me. Asvins, each day yours is the Adhvaryu's duty: Brahman and wood are here: 'tis yours to offer.
ayaṃ yo hotā kir u sa yamasya kam apy ūhe yat samañjanti devāḥ ahar ahar jāyate māsi māsy athā devā dadhire havyavāham
Who is the Priest? Is he the Priest of Yama? On whom is thrust this God-appointed honour? He springs to life each month, each day that passes; so Gods have made him their oblation-bearer.
māṃ devā dadhire havyavāham apamluktam bahu kṛcchrā carantam agnir vidvān yajñaṃ naḥ kalpayāti pañcayāmaṃ trivṛtaṃ saptatantum
The Gods have made me bearer of oblations, who slipped away and passed through many troubles. Wise Agni shall ordain for us the worship, whether five-wayed, threefold, or seven-threaded.
ā vo yakṣy amṛtatvaṃ suvīraṃ yathā vo devā varivaḥ karāṇi ā bāhvor vajram indrasya dheyām athemā viśvāḥ pṛtanā jayāti
So will I win you strength and life for ever. O Gods, that I may give you room and freedom. To Indra's arms would I consign the thunder; in all these battles shall he then be victor.
This verse is not included in this edition.
The Deities three hundred and thirty-nine, have served and honoured Agni, Strewn sacred grass, anointed him with butter, and seated him as Priest, the Gods' Invoker.