________________
.
.
.
MANDALA V, HTMN '12.
Ty ) 393
MANDALA V, HYMN 12.
ASHTAKA IV, ADHYẢYA I, VARGA 4.
1. To the mighty, sacrificial Agni, to the bull of Rita', the Asura, I bring this prayer and this song, which is turned towards him, to (him) the bull, as well-clarified ghrita (is poured) into his mouth at the sacrifice.
2. O knower of Rita, know the Rita! Bore for many streams of Rita. I (do) not (serve) a Yatu 1 by violence nor by falsehood; I serve the Rita of the red bull ?
3. How, O Agni, performing the Rita through Rita, mayst thou become a witness of our newest 1 hymn ? The god, the protector of the seasons, knows of my seasons 2 I (do) not (know another) lord but him who attains (for us) this wealth.
4. Who, O Agni, are thy fetterers to (fetter) the impostor1? What brilliant guardians were successful ? Who, O Agni, drink the drink of falsehood ? Who are the protectors of untrue speech ?
5. These friends of thine, O Agni, turning themselves from (thee) 1, they who had been kind, have become unkind. They have harmed themselves by their own speeches, uttering wrong words to the righteous.
6. He who magnifies thy sacrifice, O Agni, by adoration, and serves the Rita of the red bull: may a large, good dwelling come to him, to the offspring of the advancing Nahusha.
Digitized by Google