Sukta 23

Mantra 1

पाप-मोचनम्। अग्नेर्मन्वे प्रथमस्य प्रचेतसः पाञ्चजन्यस्य बहुधा यमिन्धते । विशो विशः प्रविशिवांसमीमहे स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

For release from evil: I acknowledge Agni, the first, the wise, the fire of the Five Peoples, whom in many a manner they kindle. Him, entered among clan after clan, we implore: may he set us free from anguish and from sin.

Mantra 2

यथा हव्यं वहसि जातवेदो यथा यज्ञं कल्पयसि प्रजानन्। एवा देवेभ्यः सुमतिं न आ वह स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

As thou bearest the oblation, O Jātavedas, as thou, knowing, duly orderest the sacrifice—so, for the Gods, bring hither unto us good favour; and may he release us from anguish.

Mantra 3

यामन्यामन्नुपयुक्तं वहिष्ठं कर्मन्कर्मन्नाभगम् । अग्निमीडे रक्षोहणं यज्ञवॄधं घृताहुतं स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

At every course—him, the harnessed, the best conveyor, bringing good fortune in each several act—I laud Agni, the slayer of demons, the increaser of sacrifice, ghee-offered: may he release us from anguish.

Mantra 4

सुजातं जातवेदसमग्निं वैश्वानरं विभुम्। हव्यवाहं हवामहे स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

Agni, well-born, Jātavedas, Vaiśvānara, the all-pervading—him, the oblation-bearer, we invoke: may he release us from anguish.

Mantra 5

येन ऋषयो बलमद्योतयन् युजा येनासुराणामयुवन्त मायाः । येनाग्निना पणीनिन्द्रो जिगाय स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

Wherewith the Seers made strength to shine by yoking; wherewith they kept afar the Asuras’ wizardries; wherewith, with Agni, Indra conquered the Paṇis—may he release us from anguish.

Mantra 6

येन देवा अमृतमन्वविन्दन् येनौषधीर्मधुमतीरकृण्वन्। येन देवाः स्व१राभरन्त्स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

Wherewith the Gods won immortality; wherewith they made the plants honey-sweet; wherewith the Gods brought hither heaven—may he release us from anguish.

Mantra 7

यस्येदं प्रदिशि यद् विरोचते यज्जातं जनितव्यंऽ च केवलम्। स्तौम्यग्निं नाथितो जोहवीमि स नो मुञ्चत्वंहसः

Whose is this All that in each region shineth forth—what hath been born, and what is yet to be engendered, wholly and alone: Agni I laud; in sore distress I call upon him ever. Let him release us from affliction and from sin.