Sukta 74

Mantra 1

उपप्रयन्तो अध्वरं मन्त्रं वोचेमाग्नये । आरे अस्मे च शृण्वते ॥

As we advance toward the inner sacrifice, we would speak the mantra to Agni—may he hear us from afar and also here within (close at hand).

Mantra 2

यः स्नीहितीषु पूर्व्यः संजग्मानासु कृष्टिषु । अरक्षद्दाशुषे गयम् ॥

He who from of old, in the close-knit gatherings of the peoples, protected the life-energy of the giver—may that Agni guard what we have won by offering.

Mantra 3

उत ब्रुवन्तु जन्तव उदग्निर्वृत्रहाजनि । धनंजयो रणेरणे ॥

And let the beings proclaim: ‘Agni has arisen, the slayer of Vṛtra’—the winner of plenitude in every battle, the conqueror in each encounter of the soul.

Mantra 4

यस्य दूतो असि क्षये वेषि हव्यानि वीतये । दस्मत्कृणोष्यध्वरम् ॥

In whose home you are the messenger, you carry the offerings for enjoyment; from the wonderful (power) you fashion the sacrifice—making the rite effective and luminous in the dwelling of the seeker.

Mantra 5

तमित्सुहव्यमङ्गिरः सुदेवं सहसो यहो । जना आहुः सुबर्हिषम् ॥

Him indeed, O Angiras, men call “the well-invoked,” the “noble-shining god,” the “impulse of might,” and “he of the good sacred seat (barhis).”

Mantra 6

आ च वहासि ताँ इह देवाँ उप प्रशस्तये । हव्या सुश्चन्द्र वीतये ॥

And thou bringest them here—the gods—near for the perfect praise, O fair-radiant one, for the joyful acceptance of the offerings.

Mantra 7

न योरुपब्दिरश्व्यः शृण्वे रथस्य कच्चन । यदग्ने यासि दूत्यम् ॥

No sound of thy horses is heard, nor any creak of the chariot, when, O Agni, thou goest on thy embassy.

Mantra 8

त्वोतो वाज्यह्रयोऽभि पूर्वस्मादपरः । प्र दाश्वाँ अग्ने अस्थात् ॥

Helped by thee, the bearer of plenitude-force, the unwearied one, another has gone forth beyond the former; the giver, O Agni, has taken his stand in front.

Mantra 9

उत द्युमत्सुवीर्यं बृहदग्ने विवाससि । देवेभ्यो देव दाशुषे ॥

And thou makest manifest the radiant and noble hero-force, O Agni, the Vast; O god, for the giver, (thou openest it) for the gods.