Rig Veda
apaśyam asya mahato mahitvam amartyasya martyāsu vikṣu nānā hanū vibhṛte sam bharete asinvatī bapsatī bhūry attaḥ
I have beheld the might of this Great Being. Immortal in the midst of tribes of mortals. His jaws now open and now shut together: much they devour, insatiately chewing.
guhā śiro nihitam ṛdhag akṣī asinvann atti jihvayā vanāni atrāṇy asmai paḍbhiḥ sam bharanty uttānahastā namasādhi vikṣu
His eyes are turned away, his head is hidden: unsated with his tongue he eats the fuel. With hands upraised, with reverence in the houses, for him they quickly bring his food together.
pra mātuḥ prataraṃ guhyam icchan kumāro na vīrudhaḥ sarpad urvīḥ sasaṃ na pakvam avidacchucantaṃ ririhvāṃsaṃ ripa upasthe antaḥ
Seeking, as 'twere, his Mother's secret bosom, he, like a child, creeps on through wide-spread bushes. One he finds glowing like hot food made ready, and kissing deep within the earth's realms.
tad vām ṛtaṃ rodasī pra bravīmi jāyamāno mātarā garbho atti nāhaṃ devasya martyaś ciketāgnir aṅga vicetāḥ sa pracetāḥ
This holy Law I tell you, Earth and Heaven: the Infant at his birth devours his Parents. No knowledge of the God have I, a mortal. Yea, Agni knoweth best, for he hath wisdom.
yo asmā annaṃ tṛṣv ādadhāty ājyair ghṛtair juhoti puṣyati tasmai sahasram akṣabhir vi cakṣe 'gne viśvataḥ pratyaṅṅ asi tvam
This man who quickly gives him food, who offers his gifts of oil and butter and supports him, - Him with his thousand eyes he closely looks on: thou showest him thy face from all sides, Agni.
This verse is not included in this edition.
Agni, hast thou committed sin or treason among the Gods? In ignorance I ask thee. Playing, not playing, he gold-hued and toothless, hath cut his food up as the knife a victim.
viṣūco aśvān yuyuje vanejā ṛjītibhī raśanābhir gṛbhītān cakṣade mitro vasubhiḥ sujātaḥ sam ānṛdhe parvabhir vāvṛdhānaḥ
He born in wood hath yoked his horses rushing in all directions, held with reins that glitter. The well-born friend hath carved his food with Vasus: in all his limbs he hath increased and prospered.