Sukta 21

Mantra 1

आग्निं न स्ववृक्तिभिर्होतारं त्वा वृणीमहे । यज्ञाय स्तीर्णबर्हिषे वि वो मदे शीरं पावकशोचिषं विवक्षसे ॥

To Agni, with our self-fashioned workings, we choose you as the Hotar for the sacrifice, for the rite with the strewn seat. In our ecstasy you desire to manifest the strong, the purifier with radiant flame.

Mantra 2

त्वामु ते स्वाभुवः शुम्भन्त्यश्वराधसः । वेति त्वामुपसेचनी वि वो मद ऋजीतिरग्न आहुतिर्विवक्षसे ॥

You indeed the self-becoming powers adorn, O Agni, rich in the swiftness of energy. Toward you goes the pouring approach; in our rapture the straight-going offering seeks to express itself to you.

Mantra 3

त्वे धर्माण आसते जुहूभिः सिञ्चतीरिव । कृष्णा रूपाण्यर्जुना वि वो मदे विश्वा अधि श्रियो धिषे विवक्षसे ॥

In you the laws of the working take their seat, as if poured by the ladles. You set in order the dark and the bright forms; in our rapture you dispose all the splendours upon their foundation, seeking to manifest them.

Mantra 4

यमग्ने मन्यसे रयिं सहसावन्नमर्त्य । तमा नो वाजसातये वि वो मदे यज्ञेषु चित्रमा भरा विवक्षसे ॥

Whatever felicity you hold in your will, O Agni, O mighty and immortal—bring that to us for the winning of plenitude of force; in our rapture, in the sacrifices, bring the wondrous treasure, seeking to manifest it.

Mantra 5

अग्निर्जातो अथर्वणा विदद्विश्वानि काव्या । भुवद्दूतो विवस्वतो वि वो मदे प्रियो यमस्य काम्यो विवक्षसे ॥

Agni, born by Atharvan, has discovered all the inspired knowings. He became the messenger of Vivasvat; in our rapture you seek to manifest as the beloved and desirable power of Yama—one who leads the soul by the true path.

Mantra 6

त्वां यज्ञेष्वीळतेऽग्ने प्रयत्यध्वरे । त्वं वसूनि काम्या वि वो मदे विश्वा दधासि दाशुषे विवक्षसे ॥

You in the sacrifices they adore, O Agni, in the advancing rite. You place all desirable riches in our rapture for the giver—seeking to manifest them in the one who offers.

Mantra 7

त्वां यज्ञेष्वृत्विजं चारुमग्ने नि षेदिरे । घृतप्रतीकं मनुषो वि वो मदे शुक्रं चेतिष्ठमक्षभिर्विवक्षसे ॥

You in the sacrifices men have seated, O Agni, the lovely priest of the seasons; with face of ghee, in our rapture you seek to manifest the bright and most perceptive power, with the eyes of vision.

Mantra 8

अग्ने शुक्रेण शोचिषोरु प्रथयसे बृहत् । अभिक्रन्दन्वृषायसे वि वो मदे गर्भं दधासि जामिषु विवक्षसे ॥

O Agni, with your bright flame you widen the Vast. Crying out, you pour yourself as a bull-force; in our rapture you place the germ within the kindreds of our being, seeking to manifest the new birth of consciousness.