Sukta 94

Mantra 1

इमं स्तोममर्हते जातवेदसे रथमिव सं महेमा मनीषया । भद्रा हि नः प्रमतिरस्य संसद्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

This hymn of affirmation we build together for Jātavedas, the Knower of all births, as one fashions and yokes a chariot—by the discerning inspired mind. For beneficent is his guiding intelligence in the assembly; O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 2

यस्मै त्वमायजसे स साधत्यनर्वा क्षेति दधते सुवीर्यम् । स तूताव नैनमश्नोत्यंहतिरग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

He for whom thou art worshipped, he accomplishes; unharmed in his movement he dwells in wideness, and to the giver thou grantest a plenitude of heroic force. He is urged onward; no smiting distress can reach him. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 3

शकेम त्वा समिधं साधया धियस्त्वे देवा हविरदन्त्याहुतम् । त्वमादित्याँ आ वह तान्ह्युश्मस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

May we have power to kindle thee and to make our thoughts effective; in thee the gods partake of the offering that is poured. Do thou bring the Ādityas here—for we desire them. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 4

भरामेध्मं कृणवामा हवींषि ते चितयन्तः पर्वणापर्वणा वयम् । जीवातवे प्रतरं साधया धियोऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

We bring the fuel and we prepare thy offerings, awakening ourselves step by step, stage by stage. For the sake of a fuller living, make our illuminations more forward-moving and successful. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 5

विशां गोपा अस्य चरन्ति जन्तवो द्विपच्च यदुत चतुष्पदक्तुभिः । चित्रः प्रकेत उषसो महाँ अस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

As the herdsman-guardian of the peoples, all creatures move under his keeping—two-footed and four-footed through the nights. Bright is his discerning light; great art thou, O Agni, in the dawns. In thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 6

त्वमध्वर्युरुत होतासि पूर्व्यः प्रशास्ता पोता जनुषा पुरोहितः । विश्वा विद्वाँ आर्त्विज्या धीर पुष्यस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

Thou art the Adhvaryu and the Hotṛ, the ancient one; the director and the purifier, set in front from birth. Knowing all, steadfast in wisdom, thou fosterest every right priestly working. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 7

यो विश्वतः सुप्रतीकः सदृङ्ङसि दूरे चित्सन्तळिदिवाति रोचसे । रात्र्याश्चिदन्धो अति देव पश्यस्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

Thou who art fair-faced on every side, seeing with a single equal vision—though far away, thou shinest beyond, like lightning. Even through the blind darkness of night, O luminous god, thou seest. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 8

पूर्वो देवा भवतु सुन्वतो रथोऽस्माकं शंसो अभ्यस्तु दूढ्यः । तदा जानीतोत पुष्यता वचोऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

Let the chariot of the pressing one go first, O gods; let our word of affirmation be borne forward and firmly established. Know this and foster the utterance. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 9

वधैर्दुःशंसाँ अप दूढ्यो जहि दूरे वा ये अन्ति वा के चिदत्रिणः । अथा यज्ञाय गृणते सुगं कृध्यग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

With thy smitings drive away the ill-speakers, O strong-borne one—whether far or near, whatever devourers they may be. Then make a good passage for the singer toward the sacrifice. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 10

यदयुक्था अरुषा रोहिता रथे वातजूता वृषभस्येव ते रवः । आदिन्वसि वनिनो धूमकेतुनाग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

When thou hast yoked the ruddy, the red steeds to the chariot, wind-driven, thy roar is like that of a bull. Then thou settest the woods in motion with thy banner of smoke. O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed—may we be safe within thy power.

Mantra 11

अध स्वनादुत बिभ्युः पतत्रिणो द्रप्सा यत्ते यवसादो व्यस्थिरन् । सुगं तत्ते तावकेभ्यो रथेभ्योऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

Then, at thy resounding, even the winged powers tremble; the drops that feed on the life-sap are scattered apart. Make that movement of thy chariots for us a happy passage; O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed, we who are thine.

Mantra 12

अयं मित्रस्य वरुणस्य धायसेऽवयातां मरुतां हेळो अद्भुतः । मृळा सु नो भूत्वेषां मनः पुनरग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

This is for the sustaining power of Mitra and Varuṇa; let the marvellous wrath of the Maruts be turned away. Be gracious to us; let their mind turn back (from hostility); O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed, we who are thine.

Mantra 13

देवो देवानामसि मित्रो अद्भुतो वसुर्वसूनामसि चारुरध्वरे । शर्मन्त्स्याम तव सप्रथस्तमेऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

Thou art the god of the gods, the wondrous Mitra; thou art the Vasu of the Vasus, beautiful in the offering. May we be in thy shelter, O most wide-extended; O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed, we who are thine.

Mantra 14

तत्ते भद्रं यत्समिद्धः स्वे दमे सोमाहुतो जरसे मृळयत्तमः । दधासि रत्नं द्रविणं च दाशुषेऽग्ने सख्ये मा रिषामा वयं तव ॥

This is thy blessed good: when kindled in thine own home, invoked with Soma, thou becomest most full of grace for the growing life. Thou establishest the jewel and the plenitude of substance for the giver; O Agni, in thy friendship may we not be harmed, we who are thine.

Mantra 16

स त्वमग्ने सौभगत्वस्य विद्वानस्माकमायुः प्र तिरेह देव । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥

Thou, O Agni, knowing the law of our good fortune, extend our life here, O god. May Mitra and Varuṇa magnify that for us—Aditi, the River of being, Earth and Heaven as well.