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MANDALA V, HYMN 3.
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MANDALA V, HYMN 3. ASHTAKA III, ADHYÅYA 8, VARGA 16–17.
1. Thou, O Agni, art Varuna, when born; thou becomest Mitra when kindled. In thee, O son of strength, the Visvedevas (dwell). Thou art Indra for the mortal worshipper.
2. Thou becomest Aryaman when thou bearest 1 the secret name of the maidens, O self-dependent one. They anoint (thee) with cows ? like the wellestablished Mitra >, when thou makest husband and wife one-minded.
3. For thy glory the Maruts have cleansed themselves, who are thy fair and brilliant offspring, O Rudra 2! The footprint of Vishnu which is put down in the highest place : therewith thou protectest the secret name of the cows.
4. By thy beauty, O god, the gods are beautiful to behold'. Assuming many (powers or goods) they attached themselves to immortality. Men have set down Agni as the Hotri, the Usigs, honouring (him), the praise of Ayu ?
5. There is no (other) Hotri before thee, a better sacrificer?; no one surpasses thee, O self-dependent one, by wisdom. And that house of which thou art the guest, he?, O god, will overcome the mortals by his sacrifice.
6. May we overcome the mortals, O Agni, protected by thee, striving for wealth, awaking (thee) with offerings ; may we (overcome mortals) in the contest, in the distribution of days; may we (overcome them) by wealth, O son of strength!
B b 2
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