Sukta 141

Mantra 1

बळित्था तद्वपुषे धायि दर्शतं देवस्य भर्गः सहसो यतो जनि । यदीमुप ह्वरते साधते मतिॠतस्य धेना अनयन्त सस्रुतः ॥

Indeed, that was set into a visible form—the god’s splendour, born from power. When the thought approaches and turns in aspiration to accomplish, then the streaming cows of ṛta lead it onward.

Mantra 2

पृक्षो वपुः पितुमान्नित्य आ शये द्वितीयमा सप्तशिवासु मातृषु । तृतीयमस्य वृषभस्य दोहसे दशप्रमतिं जनयन्त योषणः ॥

His form is rich with nourishment, possessed of the father-power; eternal, he lies down. A second time he rests in the seven benign Mothers. A third time, for the milking of this Bull, the fostering energies bring forth the tenfold right discernment.

Mantra 3

निर्यदीं बुध्नान्महिषस्य वर्पस ईशानासः शवसा क्रन्त सूरयः । यदीमनु प्रदिवो मध्व आधवे गुहा सन्तं मातरिश्वा मथायति ॥

When from the foundation the great One’s form is brought out, the mastering seers stride by force. And when, following the fore-heaven’s honey for the offering, Mātariśvan churns him out though he is hidden in secrecy.

Mantra 4

प्र यत्पितुः परमान्नीयते पर्या पृक्षुधो वीरुधो दंसु रोहति । उभा यदस्य जनुषं यदिन्वत आदिद्यविष्ठो अभवद्घृणा शुचिः ॥

When he is led forth from the highest Father, around him the nourishing growths, the plants, rise by his skill. When both his births are set in motion, then indeed the youngest becomes pure radiance, blazing with ardour.

Mantra 5

आदिन्मातॄराविशद्यास्वा शुचिरहिंस्यमान उर्विया वि वावृधे । अनु यत्पूर्वा अरुहत्सनाजुवो नि नव्यसीष्ववरासु धावते ॥

Then he enters the Mothers in whom he is set—the pure one, unharmed—he widens himself in the vastness. Following the earlier tracks that the ancient ones mounted, he runs downward into the ever-new and lower forms, to awaken what is still concealed.

Mantra 6

आदिद्धोतारं वृणते दिविष्टिषु भगमिव पपृचानास ऋञ्जते । देवान्यत्क्रत्वा मज्मना पुरुष्टुतो मर्तं शंसं विश्वधा वेति धायसे ॥

Then they choose the Hotar in the high seats; they anoint him as one would invoke Bhaga, the distributor. When, by will and greatness, the much-praised one moves among the gods, he carries the mortal’s word of aspiration in every way for its establishment.

Mantra 7

वि यदस्थाद्यजतो वातचोदितो ह्वारो न वक्वा जरणा अनाकृतः । तस्य पत्मन्दक्षुषः कृष्णजंहसः शुचिजन्मनो रज आ व्यध्वनः ॥

When he stands forth—adorable, driven by the Breath—like a swift steed, a singer not fashioned by decay, then of that seer-force, born of purity yet with strides through the dark, the firm track is opened across the spaces.

Mantra 8

रथो न यातः शिक्वभिः कृतो द्यामङ्गेभिररुषेभिरीयते । आदस्य ते कृष्णासो दक्षि सूरयः शूरस्येव त्वेषथादीषते वयः ॥

Like a chariot set in motion by the wise, he goes to heaven with his ruddy limbs. Then, O kindler, the seers—though still darkened—yearn for your winged force, as warriors for the surge of a hero’s onset.

Mantra 9

त्वया ह्यग्ने वरुणो धृतव्रतो मित्रः शाशद्रे अर्यमा सुदानवः । यत्सीमनु क्रतुना विश्वथा विभुररान्न नेमिः परिभूरजायथाः ॥

With you, O Agni, Varuṇa of firm law, Mitra, and Aryaman of good giving attain their fullness; for you are born all-pervading through the worlds by the power of will, encompassing them as the rim encompasses the spokes.

Mantra 10

त्वमग्ने शशमानाय सुन्वते रत्नं यविष्ठ देवतातिमिन्वसि । तं त्वा नु नव्यं सहसो युवन्वयं भगं न कारे महिरत्न धीमहि ॥

You, O Agni, to the striving presser of Soma, set in motion the jewel and the host of divine powers. Therefore we hold you—ever new, young with force—like Bhaga in our work, O bearer of great riches of the spirit.

Mantra 11

अस्मे रयिं न स्वर्थं दमूनसं भगं दक्षं न पपृचासि धर्णसिम् । रश्मीँरिव यो यमति जन्मनी उभे देवानां शंसमृत आ च सुक्रतुः ॥

In us you mingle the rayi—true gain and home-support—like Bhaga; you mingle Dakṣa, the forming power, as a sustaining foundation. Like reins that hold the two births in control, you, of good will, bring together the gods’ praise and the Truth as well.

Mantra 12

उत नः सुद्योत्मा जीराश्वो होता मन्द्रः शृणवच्चन्द्ररथः । स नो नेषन्नेषतमैरमूरोऽग्निर्वामं सुवितं वस्यो अच्छ ॥

And may our bright-flaming Hotar, swift-horsed, the glad one with shining chariot, hear us. May Agni, unbewildered, lead us by the best leaders to the dear and happy path, to the more excellent good.

Mantra 13

अस्ताव्यग्निः शिमीवद्भिरर्कैः साम्राज्याय प्रतरं दधानः । अमी च ये मघवानो वयं च मिहं न सूरो अति निष्टतन्युः ॥

Agni has been praised with forceful hymns, establishing a farther mastery. And those generous ones and we as well—may we, like the Sun beyond the mist, stretch out beyond obstruction.