Sukta 3

Mantra 1

इनो राजन्नरतिः समिद्धो रौद्रो दक्षाय सुषुमाँ अदर्शि । चिकिद्वि भाति भासा बृहतासिक्नीमेति रुशतीमपाजन् ॥

O King, the flaming Power (Agni) is seen—fierce in force for the work of skill; awake and discerning, he shines out with vast light, driving away the dark, moving toward the radiant dawn of consciousness.

Mantra 2

कृष्णां यदेनीमभि वर्पसा भूज्जनयन्योषां बृहतः पितुर्जाम् । ऊर्ध्वं भानुं सूर्यस्य स्तभायन्दिवो वसुभिररतिर्वि भाति ॥

When by his own form he confronts the blackness, bringing to birth the radiant young one, the child of the Vast Father; he sets the Sun’s beam upright, and with the riches of heaven the moving Power shines out widely.

Mantra 3

भद्रो भद्रया सचमान आगात्स्वसारं जारो अभ्येति पश्चात् । सुप्रकेतैर्द्युभिरग्निर्वितिष्ठन्रुशद्भिर्वर्णैरभि राममस्थात् ॥

Auspicious with the auspicious, he has come; like a lover he follows after his sister. Agni, standing forth with lights of clear perception, takes his place facing delight, clothed in shining colours.

Mantra 4

अस्य यामासो बृहतो न वग्नूनिन्धाना अग्नेः सख्युः शिवस्य । ईड्यस्य वृष्णो बृहतः स्वासो भामासो यामन्नक्तवश्चिकित्रे ॥

These goings of the Vast One, like swift flames, kindle the friendly and gracious Agni. Of the adorable strong one, the Vast, his own radiant powers move on their way, anointed, awake to discern.

Mantra 5

स्वना न यस्य भामासः पवन्ते रोचमानस्य बृहतः सुदिवः । ज्येष्ठेभिर्यस्तेजिष्ठैः क्रीळुमद्भिर्वर्षिष्ठेभिर्भानुभिर्नक्षति द्याम् ॥

Like resonant currents, his radiances stream—of the shining Vast One of good heaven. With the eldest, most blazing, playfully powerful, most abundant beams, he reaches and possesses the heaven of light.

Mantra 6

अस्य शुष्मासो ददृशानपवेर्जेहमानस्य स्वनयन्नियुद्भिः । प्रत्नेभिर्यो रुशद्भिर्देवतमो वि रेभद्भिररतिर्भाति विभ्वा ॥

His powers are seen—of the unimpeded one—trembling with intensity, sounding with yoked forces. With ancient shining energies, most divine, with inspired utterances, the moving Power shines out, all-pervading.

Mantra 7

स आ वक्षि महि न आ च सत्सि दिवस्पृथिव्योररतिर्युवत्योः । अग्निः सुतुकः सुतुकेभिरश्वै रभस्वद्भी रभस्वाँ एह गम्याः ॥

Bring to us the greatness and sit here with us—Agni, the moving Power of the two young ones, Heaven and Earth. With swift, well-yoked horses, impetuous and strong, come here to our field of offering.