Rig Veda
ūrdhva ū ṣu ṇo adhvarasya hotar agne tiṣṭha devatātā yajīyān tvaṃ hi viśvam abhy asi manma pra vedhasaś cit tirasi manīṣām
Priest of our rite, stand up erect, O Agni, in the Gods' service best of sacrificers, For over every thought thou art the Ruler: thou furtherest e'en the wisdom of the pious.
amūro hotā ny asādi vikṣv agnir mandro vidatheṣu pracetāḥ ūrdhvam bhānuṃ savitevāśren meteva dhūmaṃ stabhāyad upa dyām
He was set down mid men as Priest unerring, Agni, wise, welcome in our holy synods. Like Savitar he hath lifted up his splendour, and like a builder raised his smoke to heaven.
yatā sujūrṇī rātinī ghṛtācī pradakṣiṇid devatātim urāṇaḥ ud u svarur navajā nākraḥ paśvo anakti sudhitaḥ sumekaḥ
The glowing ladle, filled with oil, is lifted; choosing Gods' service to the right he circles. Eager he rises like the new-wrought pillar which, firmly set and fixed, anoints the victims.
stīrṇe barhiṣi samidhāne agnā ūrdhvo adhvaryur jujuṣāṇo asthāt pary agniḥ paśupā na hotā triviṣṭy eti pradiva urāṇaḥ
When sacred grass is strewn and Agni kindled, the Adhvaryu rises to, his task rejoicing. Agni the Priest, like one who tends the cattle, goes three times round, as from of old he wills it.
pari tmanā mitadrur eti hotāgnir mandro madhuvacā ṛtāvā dravanty asya vājino na śokā bhayante viśvā bhuvanā yad abhrāṭ
Agni himself, the Priest, with measured motion, goes round, with sweet speech, cheerful, true to Order. His fulgent flames run forth like vigorous horses; all creatures are affrighted when he blazes.
bhadrā te agne svanīka saṃdṛg ghorasya sato viṣuṇasya cāruḥ na yat te śocis tamasā varanta na dhvasmānas tanvī repa ā dhuḥ
Beautiful and auspicious is thine aspect, O lovely Agni, terrible when spreading. Thy splendours are not covered by the darkness: detraction leaves no stain upon thy body.
na yasya sātur janitor avāri na mātarāpitarā nū cid iṣṭau
Naught hindered his production, Bounteous Giver: his Mother and his Sire were free to send him. Then as Friend benevolent, refulgent, Agni shone forth in human habitations.
dvir yam pañca jījanan saṃvasānāḥ svasāro agnim mānuṣīṣu vikṣu uṣarbudham atharyo na dantaṃ śukraṃ svāsam paraśuṃ na tigmam
He, Agni, whom the twice-five sisters, dwelling together, in the homes of men engendered, Bright like a spear's tooth, wakened in the morning, with powerful mouth and like an axe well-sharpened.
tava tye agne harito ghṛtasnā rohitāsa ṛjvañcaḥ svañcaḥ aruṣāso vṛṣaṇa ṛjumuṣkā ā devatātim ahvanta dasmāḥ
These thy Bay Coursers, Agni, dropping fatness, ruddy vigorous, speeding straightly forward, And red steeds, wonderful, of mighty muscle, are to this service of the Gods invited:
ye ha tye te sahamānā ayāsas tveṣāso agne arcayaś caranti śyenāso na duvasanāso arthaṃ tuviṣvaṇaso mārutaṃ na śardhaḥ
These brightly-shining games of thine, O Agni, that move for ever restless, allsubduing, Like falcons hasting eagerly to the quarry, roar loudly like the army of the Maruts.
akāri brahma samidhāna tubhyaṃ śaṃsāty ukthaṃ yajate vy ū dhāḥ hotāram agnim manuṣo ni ṣedur namasyanta uśijaḥ śaṃsam āyoḥ
To thee, O flaming God, hath prayer been offered. Let the priest laud thee: give to him who worships. Men have established Agni as Invoker, fain to adore the glory of the living.