Sukta 4

Mantra 1

प्र ते यक्षि प्र त इयर्मि मन्म भुवो यथा वन्द्यो नो हवेषु । धन्वन्निव प्रपा असि त्वमग्न इयक्षवे पूरवे प्रत्न राजन् ॥

Offer forth for you; I send forward my thought so that you may become worthy of our calls. Like a spring in the desert you are a forward-protecting refuge, O Agni—ancient King—for the one who seeks to sacrifice.

Mantra 2

यं त्वा जनासो अभि संचरन्ति गाव उष्णमिव व्रजं यविष्ठ । दूतो देवानामसि मर्त्यानामन्तर्महाँश्चरसि रोचनेन ॥

O youngest, whom the peoples gather around as cows gather to the warm stall— you are the messenger of the gods for mortals; vast within, you move through the luminous realm, carrying the light of the worlds into us.

Mantra 3

शिशुं न त्वा जेन्यं वर्धयन्ती माता बिभर्ति सचनस्यमाना । धनोरधि प्रवता यासि हर्यञ्जिगीषसे पशुरिवावसृष्टः ॥

As a mother fosters and bears her growing child, so she upholds you, the victorious power, consenting to your companionship. From the bow you go forth along the descending course, eager to conquer, released like a beast set free (to its own force).

Mantra 4

मूरा अमूर न वयं चिकित्वो महित्वमग्ने त्वमङ्ग वित्से । शये वव्रिश्चरति जिह्वयादन्रेरिह्यते युवतिं विश्पतिः सन् ॥

We are bewildered, not bewildered—O knower; but you, Agni, indeed know your own greatness. Hidden, you lie; yet you move, feeding with your tongue; you lick again and again, as the lord of the dwelling, seeking the young bride (the fresh offering/energy).

Mantra 5

कूचिज्जायते सनयासु नव्यो वने तस्थौ पलितो धूमकेतुः । अस्नातापो वृषभो न प्र वेति सचेतसो यं प्रणयन्त मर्ताः ॥

Somewhere he is born anew in the ancient births; in the forest he stands, grey, with a banner of smoke. Unbathed by the waters, he advances like a bull—he whom the awakened mortals lead forward (for the work).

Mantra 6

तनूत्यजेव तस्करा वनर्गू रशनाभिर्दशभिरभ्यधीताम् । इयं ते अग्ने नव्यसी मनीषा युक्ष्वा रथं न शुचयद्भिरङ्गैः ॥

As thieves, casting off their own bodies, the forest-roamers are bound about with ten straps—so (too) this thought of mine is set upon you. O Agni, this is for you a newer insight: yoke it like a chariot with shining limbs (powers).

Mantra 7

ब्रह्म च ते जातवेदो नमश्चेयं च गीः सदमिद्वर्धनी भूत् । रक्षा णो अग्ने तनयानि तोका रक्षोत नस्तन्वो अप्रयुच्छन् ॥

For you, O Jātavedas, are the sacred word and the reverence, and this song—may it ever become an increaser. Guard for us, O Agni, our children and our continuities; guard also our bodies, that they may not fall away from the right holding.