Mandala 6, Hymn 16

"PRIEST of all sacrifices hast thou been appointed by the Gods, Agni, amid the race of man."

"So with thy joyous tongues for us sacrifice nobly in this rite. Bring thou the Gods and worship them."

"For well, O God, Disposer, thou knowest, straight on, the paths and ways, Agni, most wise in sacrifice."

"Thee, too, hath Bharata of old, with mighty men, implored for bliss. And worshipped thee the worshipful."

"Thou givest these abundant boons to Divodâsa pouring forth, To Bharadvâja offering gifts."

"Do thou, Immortal Messenger, bring hither the Celestial Folk; Hearing the singer's eulogy."

"Mortals with pious thought implore thee, Agni, God, at holy rites, To come unto the feast of Gods."

"I glorify thine aspect and the might of thee the Bountilul. All those who love shall joy in thee,"

"Invoker placed by Manus, thou, Agni, art near, the wisest Priest: Pay worship to the Tribes of Heaven."

"Come, Agni, lauded, to the feast; come to the offering of the gifts. As Priest be seated on the grass."

"So, Angiras, we make thee strong with fuel and with holy oil. Blaze high, thou youngest of the Gods."

"For us thou winnest, Agni, God, heroic strength exceeding great, Far-spreading and of high renown."

"Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth, by rubbing, from the lotus-flower, The head of Viṣva, of the Priest."

"Thee. Vr̥itra's slayer, breaker down of castles, hath Atharvan's son, Dadhyac the R̥ishi, lighted up."

"The hero Pâthya kindled thee the Dasyus'. most destructive foe, Winner of spoil in every fight."

"Come, here, O Agni, will I sing verily other songs to thee, And with these drops shalt thou grow strong."

"Where'er thy mind applies itself, vigour preeminent bast thou: There wilt thou gain a dwelling-place."

"Not for a moment only lasts thy bounty, good to many a one! Our service therefore shalt thou gain."

"Agni, the Bharata, hath been sought, the Vr̥itra-slayer, marked of all, Yea, Divodâsa's Hero Lord."

"For he gave riches that surpass in greatness all the things of earth, Fighting untroubled, unsubdued."

"Thou, Agni, as in days of old, with recent glory, gathered light, Hast overspread the lofty heaven."

"Bring to your Agni, O my friends, boldly your laud and sacrifice: Give the Disposer praise and song."

"For as sagacious Herald he hath sat through every age of man, Oblation-bearing messenger."

"Bring those Two Kings whose ways are pure, Âdityas, and the Marut host, Excellent God! and Heaven and Earth."

"For strong and active mortal man, excellent, Agni, is the look Of thee Immortal, Son of Strength"

"Rich through his wisdom, noblest be the giver serving thee to-day: The man hath brought his hymn of praise."

"These, Agni, these are helped by thee, who strong and active all their lives, O'ercome the malice of the foe, fight down the malice ofthe foe."

"May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend May Agni win us wealth by war."

"O active Jâtavedas, bring riches with store of hero sons: Slay thou the demons, O Most Wise."

"Keep us, O Jâtavedas, from the troubling of the man of sin: Guard us thou Sage who knowest prayer."