Sukta 118

Mantra 1

अग्ने हंसि न्यत्रिणं दीद्यन्मर्त्येष्वा । स्वे क्षये शुचिव्रत ॥

O Agni, blazing among mortals, you strike down the devourer who would steal the offering; in your own home of power you stand, pure in your law of will.

Mantra 2

उत्तिष्ठसि स्वाहुतो घृतानि प्रति मोदसे । यत्त्वा स्रुचः समस्थिरन् ॥

You rise up, well-called, and you take delight in the streams of clarified force; for the ladles have set you firmly in your place—fixed in the right poise of the offering.

Mantra 3

स आहुतो वि रोचतेऽग्निरीळेन्यो गिरा । स्रुचा प्रतीकमज्यते ॥

When he is invoked, Agni shines out widely, the adorable one, by the mantra-voice; with the ladle his front is anointed—his manifest face made ready for the work.

Mantra 4

घृतेनाग्निः समज्यते मधुप्रतीक आहुतः । रोचमानो विभावसुः ॥

With clarified essence Agni is wholly anointed; invoked, his face is honeyed sweetness. Shining, the all-illumining one spreads his wealth of light.

Mantra 5

जरमाणः समिध्यसे देवेभ्यो हव्यवाहन । तं त्वा हवन्त मर्त्याः ॥

Growing in your flame, you are kindled for the gods, O carrier of the offering. The mortals call you—because in you their ascent finds a path.

Mantra 6

तं मर्ता अमर्त्यं घृतेनाग्निं सपर्यत । अदाभ्यं गृहपतिम् ॥

Mortals serve that immortal Agni with clarified essence—invincible, the lord of the dwelling; the master of the house of the soul.

Mantra 7

अदाभ्येन शोचिषाग्ने रक्षस्त्वं दह । गोपा ऋतस्य दीदिहि ॥

With your invincible flame, O Agni, burn away the devouring darkness. Shine forth as the guardian of the Truth—keep watch over the right order within us.

Mantra 8

स त्वमग्ने प्रतीकेन प्रत्योष यातुधान्यः । उरुक्षयेषु दीद्यत् ॥

You, O Agni, by your visible front, burn back the sorcerous devourers; blaze in the wide habitations of the being, establishing spacious safety for the journey.

Mantra 9

तं त्वा गीर्भिरुरुक्षया हव्यवाहं समीधिरे । यजिष्ठं मानुषे जने ॥

You, the offering-bearer, the wide-dwelling power, they have kindled with their hymns—most capable in the work of sacrifice within the human being.