Sukta 143

Mantra 1

प्र तव्यसीं नव्यसीं धीतिमग्नये वाचो मतिं सहसः सूनवे भरे । अपां नपाद्यो वसुभिः सह प्रियो होता पृथिव्यां न्यसीददृत्वियः ॥

I bring forward a stronger, ever-newer thought and a mind of the Word to Agni, the Son of Force. He, the Child of the Waters, the beloved priest with the Vasus, has taken his seat upon the earth as the true minister of the seasons—establishing the rite in right order.

Mantra 2

स जायमानः परमे व्योमन्याविरग्निरभवन्मातरिश्वने । अस्य क्रत्वा समिधानस्य मज्मना प्र द्यावा शोचिः पृथिवी अरोचयत् ॥

When he is born in the highest wideness, Agni becomes manifest for Mātariśvan, the bringer of the flame. By his will and by the greatness of his kindling, he makes heaven and earth shine forth with his blaze—awakening the field of consciousness.

Mantra 3

अस्य त्वेषा अजरा अस्य भानवः सुसंदृशः सुप्रतीकस्य सुद्युतः । भात्वक्षसो अत्यक्तुर्न सिन्धवोऽग्ने रेजन्ते अससन्तो अजराः ॥

His intensities are ageless; his rays are beautifully seen—of fair face and splendid light. Like rivers surging beyond the night, O Agni, they tremble and move, unwearying and undiminished—powers of luminous persistence.

Mantra 4

यमेरिरे भृगवो विश्ववेदसं नाभा पृथिव्या भुवनस्य मज्मना । अग्निं तं गीर्भिर्हिनुहि स्व आ दमे य एको वस्वो वरुणो न राजति ॥

Agni whom the Bhṛgus awakened—knower of all—who is the navel of the earth and by greatness the center of the world: urge him with your hymns into your own dwelling. He alone reigns over the riches, like Varuṇa in sovereign breadth—holding the order.

Mantra 5

न यो वराय मरुतामिव स्वनः सेनेव सृष्टा दिव्या यथाशनिः । अग्निर्जम्भैस्तिगितैरत्ति भर्वति योधो न शत्रून्त्स वना न्यृञ्जते ॥

He does not yield—like the Maruts’ roar, like a host released, like a divine thunderbolt. With sharp jaws Agni devours and consumes; like a warrior he strikes down the foes—he clears the forests of obstruction within.

Mantra 6

कुविन्नो अग्निरुचथस्य वीरसद्वसुष्कुविद्वसुभिः काममावरत् । चोदः कुवित्तुतुज्यात्सातये धियः शुचिप्रतीकं तमया धिया गृणे ॥

Will Agni be for us the hero who sits in the chant—will he become the good, and with the Vasus satisfy our true desire? Will he, the impeller, drive our thoughts toward victory? Him of the pure face I affirm with this thought of aspiration.

Mantra 7

घृतप्रतीकं व ऋतस्य धूर्षदमग्निं मित्रं न समिधान ऋञ्जते । इन्धानो अक्रो विदथेषु दीद्यच्छुक्रवर्णामुदु नो यंसते धियम् ॥

Agni of the ghee-bright face, seated in the foundation of ṛta, is kindled like Mitra—he is set in order. When he is enflamed, unbent, shining in the assemblies, he lifts up for us the radiant-hued inspired thought.

Mantra 8

अप्रयुच्छन्नप्रयुच्छद्भिरग्ने शिवेभिर्नः पायुभिः पाहि शग्मैः । अदब्धेभिरदृपितेभिरिष्टेऽनिमिषद्भिः परि पाहि नो जाः ॥

O Agni, unrelaxing, with unrelaxing protections—guard us with your auspicious, strong guardians. With safeguards that cannot be deceived and do not fail, O desired one, with unblinking watchfulness encompass and protect our peoples and births.