Sukta 3

Mantra 1

समिद्धो अग्निर्निहितः पृथिव्यां प्रत्यङ्विश्वानि भुवनान्यस्थात् । होता पावकः प्रदिवः सुमेधा देवो देवान्यजत्वग्निरर्हन् ॥

Kindled, Agni is set in the earth and stands facing all the worlds. The purifying Priest, of the forward heaven, of luminous intelligence—let Agni, the divine, the worthy, sacrifice the gods.

Mantra 2

नराशंसः प्रति धामान्यञ्जन्तिस्रो दिवः प्रति मह्ना स्वर्चिः । घृतप्रुषा मनसा हव्यमुन्दन्मूर्धन्यज्ञस्य समनक्तु देवान् ॥

Let Narāśaṃsa, kindling the stations, shine with his own flame toward the three heavens in his greatness. Pouring the offering with a mind that drips with clarified light, may he anoint the gods upon the head of the sacrifice.

Mantra 3

ईळितो अग्ने मनसा नो अर्हन्देवान्यक्षि मानुषात्पूर्वो अद्य । स आ वह मरुतां शर्धो अच्युतमिन्द्रं नरो बर्हिषदं यजध्वम् ॥

O Agni, adored by our mind, worthy—sacrifice the gods today as of old, from the human being. Bring here the host of the Maruts, and Indra the unshaken, seated on the sacred grass; O men, do you accomplish the sacrifice.

Mantra 4

देव बर्हिर्वर्धमानं सुवीरं स्तीर्णं राये सुभरं वेद्यस्याम् । घृतेनाक्तं वसवः सीदतेदं विश्वे देवा आदित्या यज्ञियासः ॥

O divine ones, the sacred grass is growing, rich in heroic force, spread for plenitude, well-bearing on this altar-seat. Anointed with clarified light—sit here, O Vasus; all you gods, O Ādityas worthy of the sacrifice.

Mantra 5

वि श्रयन्तामुर्विया हूयमाना द्वारो देवीः सुप्रायणा नमोभिः । व्यचस्वतीर्वि प्रथन्तामजुर्या वर्णं पुनाना यशसं सुवीरम् ॥

Let the divine Doors, called with homage, open wide in their vastness, leading well. Let them spread out, full of free space, unaging—purifying their radiant form, bringing fame and heroic force.

Mantra 6

साध्वपांसि सनता न उक्षिते उषासानक्ता वय्येव रण्विते । तन्तुं ततं संवयन्ती समीची यज्ञस्य पेशः सुदुघे पयस्वती ॥

Uṣas and Night, accomplishing rightly the ancient works for our increase, delighting like two birds, weave together in harmony the stretched thread; they shape the form of the sacrifice—two good milkers, full of the nourishing essence.

Mantra 7

दैव्या होतारा प्रथमा विदुष्टर ऋजु यक्षतः समृचा वपुष्टरा । देवान्यजन्तावृतुथा समञ्जतो नाभा पृथिव्या अधि सानुषु त्रिषु ॥

The two divine Hotars, foremost and more knowing, sacrifice straight with the hymn, more perfect in form. Offering to the gods according to the seasons, they harmonize at the navel of the earth, upon her three heights.

Mantra 8

सरस्वती साधयन्ती धियं न इळा देवी भारती विश्वतूर्तिः । तिस्रो देवीः स्वधया बर्हिरेदमच्छिद्रं पान्तु शरणं निषद्य ॥

Sarasvatī, accomplishing our inspired thought; and Ilā the goddess, Bhāratī who brings the all-fulfilling movement—these three goddesses, by their own sustaining power, taking their seat on this sacred grass, may guard for us the unbroken refuge.

Mantra 9

पिशङ्गरूपः सुभरो वयोधाः श्रुष्टी वीरो जायते देवकामः । प्रजां त्वष्टा वि ष्यतु नाभिमस्मे अथा देवानामप्येतु पाथः ॥

Of tawny-luminous form, well-bearing and a holder of the powers of life, the hero is born—obedient in hearing and desiring the Divine. May Tvaṣṭṛ spread out the progeny and widen for us the navel-centre (the inner seat of formation); then may the path toward the Gods open and come near.

Mantra 10

वनस्पतिरवसृजन्नुप स्थादग्निर्हविः सूदयाति प्र धीभिः । त्रिधा समक्तं नयतु प्रजानन्देवेभ्यो दैव्यः शमितोप हव्यम् ॥

May Vanaspati, releasing (the offering-wood), stand near; and Agni, with our awakened thoughts, prepare the oblation. Knowing the right order, may the divine Shamitṛ lead the offering—well-mixed in threefold ways—up to the Gods.

Mantra 11

घृतं मिमिक्षे घृतमस्य योनिर्घृते श्रितो घृतम्वस्य धाम । अनुष्वधमा वह मादयस्व स्वाहाकृतं वृषभ वक्षि हव्यम् ॥

Ghee is mingled; ghee is his womb; in ghee he is established, and ghee is his home. Bring (the offering) according to the right delight of your own law; grow intoxicated in it: O bull of power, carry the oblation that is made with svāhā.