________________
VEDIC HYMNS.
MANDALA I, HYMN 12. ASHTAKA I, ADHYÅYA 1, VARGA 22–23.
1. We choose Agni as our messenger, the allpossessor, as the Hotri of this sacrifice, the highly wise.
2. Agni and Agni again they constantly invoked with their invocations, the lord of the clans, the bearer of oblations, the beloved of many.
3. Agni, when born, conduct the gods hither for him who has strewn the Barhis (sacrificial grass) '; thou art our Hotri, worthy of being magnified ?
4. Awaken them, the willing ones, when thou goest as messenger, O Agni. Sit down with the gods on the Barhis.
5. O thou to whom Ghrita oblations are poured out, resplendent (god), burn against the mischievous, O Agni, against the sorcerers.
6. By Agni Agni is kindled (or, by fire fire is kindled), the sage, the master of the house, the young one, the bearer of oblations, whose mouth is the sacrificial spoon.
7. Praise Agni the sage, whose ordinances for the sacrifice are true, the god who drives away sickness.
8. Be the protector, O Agni, of a master of sacrificial food who worships thee, O god, as his messenger.
9. Be merciful, O purifier, unto the man who is rich in sacrificial food, and who invites Agni to the feast of the gods.
10. Thus, O Agni, resplendent purifier, conduct
Digitized by Google
