Sukta 20

Mantra 1

भद्रं नो अपि वातय मनः ॥

Breathe upon us, even into us, the auspiciousness—let our mind be moved by the beneficent wind of right inspiration.

Mantra 2

अग्निमीळे भुजां यविष्ठं शासा मित्रं दुर्धरीतुम् । यस्य धर्मन्त्स्वरेनीः सपर्यन्ति मातुरूधः ॥

I adore Agni, the youngest bearer of our enjoyments, the ruler who is a friend, hard to withstand. He whose steadfast laws the radiant powers serve, as they serve the Mother’s udder—drawing the nourishing fullness for our growth.

Mantra 3

यमासा कृपनीळं भासाकेतुं वर्धयन्ति । भ्राजते श्रेणिदन् ॥

Whom the mouths (of offering) increase—Agni, the flame that nests in the subtle—whose banner is light: he shines, giving ordered ranks (harmonious formations) to our powers.

Mantra 4

अर्यो विशां गातुरेति प्र यदानड्दिवो अन्तान् । कविरभ्रं दीद्यानः ॥

He moves as the noble guide of the peoples’ paths; when he reaches out to the ends of heaven, the seer blazes—like a cloud lit from within—revealing the way.

Mantra 5

जुषद्धव्या मानुषस्योर्ध्वस्तस्थावृभ्वा यज्ञे । मिन्वन्त्सद्म पुर एति ॥

Delighting in the human offerings, he has stood upright, strong in the sacrifice; enlarging the home of the being, he goes in front—leading the march of the work.

Mantra 6

स हि क्षेमो हविर्यज्ञः श्रुष्टीदस्य गातुरेति । अग्निं देवा वाशीमन्तम् ॥

For he is the peace and secure felicity, the sacrifice with the offering; by obedience to him the path is found. The gods move to Agni, the forceful one who carries the victorious cry.

Mantra 7

यज्ञासाहं दुव इषेऽग्निं पूर्वस्य शेवस्य । अद्रेः सूनुमायुमाहुः ॥

I seek the service of Agni, the conqueror in the sacrifice, the ancient auspicious one. They call him the son of the rock—Life (Āyu) itself—born from the firm foundation.

Mantra 8

नरो ये के चास्मदा विश्वेत्ते वाम आ स्युः । अग्निं हविषा वर्धन्तः ॥

Whatever men there are who come to us—may all of them enter into your friendliness and harmony, increasing Agni by the offering: thus the common life is gathered into the Fire.

Mantra 9

कृष्णः श्वेतोऽरुषो यामो अस्य ब्रध्न ऋज्र उत शोणो यशस्वान् । हिरण्यरूपं जनिता जजान ॥

Black and white and tawny are his courses; brown and straight, and also red, full of glory. The Begetter has brought to birth the golden-formed power—Agni’s radiant manifestation in many hues.

Mantra 10

एवा ते अग्ने विमदो मनीषामूर्जो नपादमृतेभिः सजोषाः । गिर आ वक्षत्सुमतीरियान इषमूर्जं सुक्षितिं विश्वमाभाः ॥

Thus, O Agni, Vimadá has brought to you the inspired thought—O Child of the plenitudes—together with the immortals in a single harmony. Moving forward, he has borne the words that carry the right-mindedness; he has brought for us the whole—impulse and sustaining force and a secure dwelling in the being.