Page:The Hymns of the Rigveda Vol 1.djvu/484

This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.

BOOK THE FIFTH.

HYMN I.
Agni.
Agni is wakened by the people's fuel to meet the Dawn who cometh like a milch-cow.
Like young trees[1] shooting up on high their branches, his flames are rising to the vault of heaven.

2 For worship of the Gods the Priest was wakened: at morning gracious Agni hath arisen.
Kindled, his radiant might is made apparent, and the great Deity set free from darkness.

3 When he hath stirred the line of his attendants[2], with the pure milk pure Agni is anointed.
The strength-bestowing gift is then made ready, which spread in front, with tongues, erect, he drinketh.

4 The spirits of the pious turn together to Agni, as the eyes of all to Sûrya[3].
He, when both Dawns[4] of different hues have borne him, springs up at daybreak as a strong white charger.

5 The noble One was born at days' beginning, laid red in colour mid the well-laid fuel.
Yielding in every house his seven rich treasures[5], Agni is seated, Priest most skilled in worship.

6 Agni hath sat him down, a Priest most skilful, on a sweet-smelling place, his Mother's bosom[6].
Young, faithful, sage, preeminent o’er many, kindled among the folk whom he sustaineth.

7 This Singer excellent at sacrifices, Agni the Priest, they glorify with homage.
Him who spread out both worlds by Law Eternal they balm with oil, strong Steed who never faileth.

  1. ↑ Young trees: the meaning of yahvâḥ’ here is uncertain. ‘Like birds (?) flying up (or like strong men reaching up) to a branch’ (M. Müller).
  2. ↑ The line of his attendants: the row of ministering priests, the people of st. 1. But the exact meaning of the words of the text is uncertain.
  3. ↑ To Sûrya: to the Sun.
  4. ↑ Both Dawns: Night and Morning.
  5. ↑ Seven rich treasures: wealth of various sorts.
  6. ↑ His Mother's bosom: the altar raised above the ground.
This article is issued from Wikisource. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.