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240
VEDIC HYMNS.
MANDALA III, HYMN 5. ASHTAKA II, ADHYÅYA 8, VARGA 24–25.
1. Shining Agni has awoke over against the Dawns, the priest who traces the footsteps of the sages? With his broad stream of light kindled by the pious, the carrier (of the gods) has opened the two doors of darkness.
2. Agni has grown strong by praises, by the speeches of the praisers, by hymns, the adorable one. Loving many aspects of Rita the messenger has shone up at the bursting forth of the Dawn.
3. Agni has been established among the tribes of men, the son of the waters, Mitra', acting in the right way. The delightful, worshipful one has reached the top; the priest has become one who should be invoked by prayers.
4. Agni becomes Mitra!, when he has been kindled; he the Hotri (Agni becomes) Mitra; he, Gata vedas, (becomes) Varuna. The quick Adhvaryu, the domestic (god, Agni, becomes) Mitra, the Mitra (i.e. friend or ally) of the rivers and of the mountains.
5. He observes the deceiver's dear summit1, the footstep of the bird"; the vigorous one? observes the course of the Sun. Agni observes at his (?) navel the seven-headed (song ?)$; tall (Agni) observes the enjoyment of the gods.
6. The Ribhul has created for himself a good name worthy of being magnified, he, the god who knows all laws. The skin of the herbs?, the bird's footsteps rich in ghee: Agni watches (all) that, never failing
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