Sukta 16

Mantra 1

अयमग्निः सुवीर्यस्येशे महः सौभगस्य । राय ईशे स्वपत्यस्य गोमत ईशे वृत्रहथानाम् ॥

This Agni is master of heroic might and of the great felicity; he is lord of the riches and of the true possession, rich in rays. He is master of the slayings of the Coverer.

Mantra 2

इमं नरो मरुतः सश्चता वृधं यस्मिन्रायः शेवृधासः । अभि ये सन्ति पृतनासु दूढ्यो विश्वाहा शत्रुमादभुः ॥

O men, O Maruts, accompany this growing power in whom the riches are made to thrive. They who are firm in the battles—through all days they overpower the enemy.

Mantra 3

स त्वं नो रायः शिशीहि मीढ्वो अग्ने सुवीर्यस्य । तुविद्युम्न वर्षिष्ठस्य प्रजावतोऽनमीवस्य शुष्मिणः ॥

Therefore, O Agni, bounteous one, sharpen for us the riches of true hero-power—abundant in splendour, most raining in increase—rich in progeny, free from harm, full of force.

Mantra 4

चक्रिर्यो विश्वा भुवनाभि सासहिश्चक्रिर्देवेष्वा दुवः । आ देवेषु यतत आ सुवीर्य आ शंस उत नृणाम् ॥

He who has wrought and overpowered all the worlds—he has wrought service among the gods. Strive toward the gods, toward true hero-power, toward the inspired utterance, and also toward the acclaim of men.

Mantra 5

मा नो अग्नेऽमतये मावीरतायै रीरधः । मागोतायै सहसस्पुत्र मा निदेऽप द्वेषांस्या कृधि ॥

O Agni, lead us not to deathlessness-forfeiting dullness, nor to loss of heroic force; nor to loss of the Cow (the rays of knowledge). O son of Strength, do not give us over to blame; put away from us the hatreds.

Mantra 6

शग्धि वाजस्य सुभग प्रजावतोऽग्ने बृहतो अध्वरे । सं राया भूयसा सृज मयोभुना तुविद्युम्न यशस्वता ॥

O Agni, luminous giver of good fortune, in the vast and upward-moving sacrifice, grant us the plenitude of force (vāja) that is rich in soul-offspring and inner formations. Join us with a more abundant rayi—an increase of fullness of being—creating by your power of delight (mayobhū) a wide and victorious splendour (tuví-dyumna) and an enduring fame of the spirit (yaśas).