Sukta 10

Mantra 1

जोहूत्रो अग्निः प्रथमः पितेवेळस्पदे मनुषा यत्समिद्धः । श्रियं वसानो अमृतो विचेता मर्मृजेन्यः श्रवस्यः स वाजी ॥

Agni, the much-invoking, is the first—like a father—when he is kindled by men in the place of Iḷā. Wearing the radiance of plenitude, immortal and discerning, he is the purifier who is to be rubbed bright; he is the bringer of victorious force and of worthy fame.

Mantra 2

श्रूया अग्निश्चित्रभानुर्हवं मे विश्वाभिर्गीर्भिरमृतो विचेताः । श्यावा रथं वहतो रोहिता वोतारुषाह चक्रे विभृत्रः ॥

May Agni of the varied radiance hear my call, the immortal discerner, with all my inspired words. Two dark ones and two ruddy ones draw his chariot—his yoked powers—bearing it with steady support.

Mantra 3

उत्तानायामजनयन्त्सुषूतं भुवदग्निः पुरुपेशासु गर्भः । शिरिणायां चिदक्तुना महोभिरपरीवृतो वसति प्रचेताः ॥

In the outstretched one they brought forth the well-born: Agni became the embryo in many-formed shapes. Even in the hard ground, by the night and by great powers, the conscious one dwells, uncovered and awake to the way.

Mantra 4

जिघर्म्यग्निं हविषा घृतेन प्रतिक्षियन्तं भुवनानि विश्वा । पृथुं तिरश्चा वयसा बृहन्तं व्यचिष्ठमन्नै रभसं दृशानम् ॥

I anoint Agni with the offering and with clarified butter—him who takes possession of all the worlds. Wide, spreading across, great in growth, most pervasive—seen as a swift power through the nourishments.

Mantra 5

आ विश्वतः प्रत्यञ्चं जिघर्म्यरक्षसा मनसा तज्जुषेत । मर्यश्रीः स्पृहयद्वर्णो अग्निर्नाभिमृशे तन्वा जर्भुराणः ॥

From every side I draw toward me (and make intimate) that which turns inward, with a mind free from the Rakṣasa-force; may That consent to be enjoyed. Agni, young in splendour, desiring the hue of light, presses close to the navel-centre with his body, restlessly working to purify and shape the being.

Mantra 6

ज्ञेया भागं सहसानो वरेण त्वादूतासो मनुवद्वदेम । अनूनमग्निं जुह्वा वचस्या मधुपृचं धनसा जोहवीमि ॥

May the share be truly known and discerned by the force that wins the chosen good; with you as messenger we would speak in the manner of Manu. With the ladle of the word I call the unfailing Agni, honey-mingled, the giver of plenitude in the riches of being.