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52
VEDIC HYMNS.
MANDALA I, HYMN 60. ASHTAKA I, ADHYAYA 4, VARGA 26.
1. Mâtarisvan brought (Agni) to Bhrigu as a gift precious like wealth, of double birth1, the carrier, the famous, the beacon of the sacrifice 2, the ready and immediately successful messenger.
2. Both follow his command, the Usigs1 offering sacrificial food, and the mortals. The Hotri (Agni) has sat down before daybreak among the clans, the lord of the clans, whose leave should be asked, the performer of worship.
3. May our new, beautiful praise, born' from our heart, reach him the honey-tongued (Agni), whom the human priests in our settlement, the Âyus, offering enjoyment have engendered.
4. The Usig1, the purifier, the Vasu has been established among men, the best Hotri among the clans, the domestic master of the house in the house: Agni has become the treasure-lord of
treasures.
5. Thus we, the Gotamas, praise thee, O Agni, the lord of treasures, with our (pious) thoughts, rubbing thee as (they rub down) a swift racer that wins the prize. May he who gives wealth for our prayer, come quickly in the morning 1.
NOTES.
Rishi and metre are the same. No verse occurs in the other Samhitâs.
Verse 1.
Note 1. The celestial and the terrestrial birth of Agni. Comp. Bergaigne, Rel. Véd., II, 52.
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