Sukta 1

Mantra 1

अग्रे बृहन्नुषसामूर्ध्वो अस्थान्निर्जगन्वान्तमसो ज्योतिषागात् । अग्निर्भानुना रुशता स्वङ्ग आ जातो विश्वा सद्मान्यप्राः ॥

In the beginning, vast, he stood upright in front of the Dawns; leaping out from the darkness he came by the power of light. Agni, with his shining radiance, beautiful-limbed, being born, has filled all the seats of our being.

Mantra 2

स जातो गर्भो असि रोदस्योरग्ने चारुर्विभृत ओषधीषु । चित्रः शिशुः परि तमांस्यक्तून्प्र मातृभ्यो अधि कनिक्रदद्गाः ॥

Born, thou art the child and secret embryo of the two worlds, O Agni—beautiful, upheld in the plants. A radiant infant, he moves around the nights of darkness; from the Mothers he cries out above, releasing the rays (cows) of light.

Mantra 3

विष्णुरित्था परममस्य विद्वाञ्जातो बृहन्नभि पाति तृतीयम् । आसा यदस्य पयो अक्रत स्वं सचेतसो अभ्यर्चन्त्यत्र ॥

Thus Vishnu, knowing the supreme of this, being born vast, guards the third domain. When they have made his milk their own by aspiration, the awakened in consciousness here worship and chant to him.

Mantra 4

अत उ त्वा पितुभृतो जनित्रीरन्नावृधं प्रति चरन्त्यन्नैः । ता ईं प्रत्येषि पुनरन्यरूपा असि त्वं विक्षु मानुषीषु होता ॥

Therefore the fostering Mothers, bearing the nourishing power, move towards you with their foods, you who increase by the inner substance. To them you go again in response, taking ever-new forms; you are the invoking Priest within the human clans.

Mantra 5

होतारं चित्ररथमध्वरस्य यज्ञस्ययज्ञस्य केतुं रुशन्तम् । प्रत्यर्धिं देवस्यदेवस्य मह्ना श्रिया त्वग्निमतिथिं जनानाम् ॥

You affirm Agni, the Hotṛ with the shining chariot, the radiant banner of each and every sacrifice; by the greatness and splendour of the God you set him in front as the welcome Guest of the peoples.

Mantra 6

स तु वस्त्राण्यध पेशनानि वसानो अग्निर्नाभा पृथिव्याः । अरुषो जातः पद इळायाः पुरोहितो राजन्यक्षीह देवान् ॥

He, Agni, putting on the woven garments and forms, is established at the navel of the Earth. The ruddy one is born in the seat of Iḷā; as the priest set in front, O King, sacrifice here to the gods.

Mantra 7

आ हि द्यावापृथिवी अग्न उभे सदा पुत्रो न मातरा ततन्थ । प्र याह्यच्छोशतो यविष्ठाथा वह सहस्येह देवान् ॥

For Heaven and Earth, both of them, you have ever extended, O Agni, like a son his two mothers. Go forth towards the desiring ones, O youngest; then bring here the gods, O mighty one.