Sukta 142

Mantra 1

अयमग्ने जरिता त्वे अभूदपि सहसः सूनो नह्यन्यदस्त्याप्यम् । भद्रं हि शर्म त्रिवरूथमस्ति त आरे हिंसानामप दिद्युमा कृधि ॥

This singer, O Agni, has become one with thee, O son of Force; for there is no other secure refuge to be reached. For thine is a happy shelter, triple-guarded: put far away the smiting of the violators; set a shining protection around us.

Mantra 2

प्रवत्ते अग्ने जनिमा पितूयतः साचीव विश्वा भुवना न्यृञ्जसे । प्र सप्तयः प्र सनिषन्त नो धियः पुरश्चरन्ति पशुपा इव त्मना ॥

Forward moves thy birth, O Agni, seeking the father; like a strong companion thou orderest and settest in right array all the worlds. Forward the seven go; forward they win for us our thoughts—moving in front like self-driven herdsmen guarding the inner cattle (the rays of knowledge).

Mantra 3

उत वा उ परि वृणक्षि बप्सद्बहोरग्न उलपस्य स्वधावः । उत खिल्या उर्वराणां भवन्ति मा ते हेतिं तविषीं चुक्रुधाम ॥

And thou indeed encompassest and choosest (thy path), O Agni, seated on the wide space, self-lawed; and the fallow tracts become fertile fields. May we not provoke thy weapon, thy vehement force; rather may thy energy turn into our increase.

Mantra 4

यदुद्वतो निवतो यासि बप्सत्पृथगेषि प्रगर्धिनीव सेना । यदा ते वातो अनुवाति शोचिर्वप्तेव श्मश्रु वपसि प्र भूम ॥

When, seated, thou goest from the higher to the lower spaces, thou movest apart like a conquering army. When the wind blows after thee, thy flame shaves the earth as a barber shaves the beard—clearing the ground for a new right growth.

Mantra 5

प्रत्यस्य श्रेणयो ददृश्र एकं नियानं बहवो रथासः । बाहू यदग्ने अनुमर्मृजानो न्यङ्ङुत्तानामन्वेषि भूमिम् ॥

Facing him, the lines are seen—many chariots moving to one single course. When, O Agni, rubbing and cleansing with thy arms, thou searchest downward along the outstretched earth—thou makest the paths one, bringing scattered motions into a single right-going movement.

Mantra 6

उत्ते शुष्मा जिहतामुत्ते अर्चिरुत्ते अग्ने शशमानस्य वाजाः । उच्छ्वञ्चस्व नि नम वर्धमान आ त्वाद्य विश्वे वसवः सदन्तु ॥

Rise up—let your powers cast off all that obstructs; rise up—your flame, rise up—O Agni, the plenitudes of force for the one who strives. Stand upright; bow down in growing reverence: today let all the Vasus take their seat in you.

Mantra 7

अपामिदं न्ययनं समुद्रस्य निवेशनम् । अन्यं कृणुष्वेतः पन्थां तेन याहि वशाँ अनु ॥

This is the downward-leading course of the waters, the settling-place of the ocean. Make for yourself another path away from here; by that go, following the guiding impulses of the will.

Mantra 8

आयने ते परायणे दूर्वा रोहन्तु पुष्पिणीः । ह्रदाश्च पुण्डरीकाणि समुद्रस्य गृहा इमे ॥

On your coming and your going-forth, let the dūrvā grasses grow, flowering. Let there be lakes and white lotuses—these are the dwellings of the ocean-depth (now made habitable).