Rig Veda
astīdam adhimanthanam asti prajananaṃ kṛtam etāṃ viśpatnīm ā bharāgnim manthāma pūrvathā
Here is the gear for friction, here tinder made ready for the spark. Bring thou the Matron: we will rub Agni in ancient fashion forth.
araṇyor nihito jātavedā garbha iva sudhito garbhiṇīṣu dive diva īḍyo jāgṛvadbhir haviṣmadbhir manuṣyebhir agniḥ
1n the two fire-sticks Jatavedas lieth, even as the well-set germ in pregnant women, Agni who day by day must be exalted by men who watch and worship with oblations.
uttānāyām ava bharā cikitvān sadyaḥ pravītā vṛṣaṇaṃ jajāna aruṣastūpo ruśad asya pāja iﾱāyās putro vayune 'janiṣṭa
Lay this with care on that which lies extended: straight hath she borne the Steerwhen made prolific. With his red pillar-radiant is his splendour -in our skilled task is born the Son of Ila.
iﾱāyās tvā pade vayaṃ nābhā pṛthivyā adhi jātavedo ni dhīmahy agne havyāya voḍhave
In Ila's place we set thee down, upon the central point of earth, That, Agni Jatavedas, thou mayst bear our offerings to the Gods.
manthatā naraḥ kavim advayantam pracetasam amṛtaṃ supratīkam yajñasya ketum prathamam purastād agniṃ naro janayatā suśevam
Rub into life, ye men, the Sage, the guileless, Immortal, very wise and fair to look on. O men, bring forth the most propitious Agni, first ensign of the sacrifice to eastward.
This verse is not included in this edition.
When with their arms they rub him straight he shineth forth like a strong courser, red in colour, in the wood. Bright, checkless, as it were upon the Atvins' path, lie passeth by the stones and burneth up the grass.
jāto agnī rocate cekitāno vājī vipraḥ kaviśastaḥ sudānuḥ yaṃ devāsa īḍyaṃ viśvavidaṃ havyavāham adadhur adhvareṣu
Agni shines forth when born, observant, mighty, the bountiful, the Singar praised by sages; Whom, as adorable and knowing all things, Gods set at solemn rites as offering bearer.
sīda hotaḥ sva u loke cikitvān sādayā yajñaṃ sukṛtasya yonau devāvīr devān haviṣā yajāsy agne bṛhad yajamāne vayo dhāḥ
Set thee, O Priest, in, thine own place, observant: lay down the sacrifice in the home of worship. Thou, dear to Gods, shalt serve them with oblation: Agni, give long life to the sacrificer.
kṛṇota dhūmaṃ vṛṣaṇaṃ sakhāyo 'sredhanta itana vājam accha ayam agniḥ pṛtanāṣāṭ suvīro yena devāso asahanta dasyūn
Raise ye a mighty smoke, my fellow-workers! Ye shall attain to wealth without obstruction. This Agni is the battle-winning Hero by whom the Gods have overcome the Dasyus.
ayaṃ te yonir ṛtviyo yato jāto arocathāḥ taṃ jānann agna ā sīdāthā no vardhayā giraḥ
This is thine ordered place of birth whence sprung to life thou shonest forth. Knowing this, Agni, sit thee down, and prosper thou the songs we sing.
tanūnapād ucyate garbha āsuro narāśaṃso bhavati yad vijāyate mātariśvā yad amimīta mātari vātasya sargo abhavat sarīmaṇi
As Germ Celestial he is called Tanunapat, and Narasamsa born diffused in varied shape. Formed in his Mother he is Matarisvan; he hath, in his course, become the rapid flight of wind.
sunirmathā nirmathitaḥ sunidhā nihitaḥ kaviḥ agne svadhvarā kṛṇu devān devayate yaja
With strong attrition rubbed to life, laid down with careful hand, a Sage, Agni, make sacrifices good, and for the pious bring the Gods.
This verse is not included in this edition.
Mortals have brought to life the God Immortal, the Conqueror with mighty jaws, unfailing. The sisters ten, unwedded and united, together grasp the Babe, the new-born Infant.
na ni miṣati suraṇo dive dive yad asurasya jaṭharād ajāyata
Served by the seven priests, he shone forth from ancient time, when in his Mother's bosom, in her lap, he glowed. Giving delight each day he closeth not his eye, since from the Asura's body hewas brought to life.
amitrāyudho marutām iva prayāḥ prathamajā brahmaṇo viśvam id viduḥ dyumnavad brahma kuśikāsa erira eka eko dame agniṃ sam īdhire
Even as the Maruts, onslaughts who attack the foe, those born the first of all knew the full power of prayer. The Kusikas have made the glorious hymn ascend, and, each one singly in his home, have kindled fire.
This verse is not included in this edition.
As we, O Priest observant, have elected thee this day, what time the solemn sacrifice began, So surely hast thou worshipped, surely hast thou toiled: come thou unto the Soma, wise and knowing all.