Sukta 18

Mantra 1

भवा नो अग्ने सुमना उपेतौ सखेव सख्ये पितरेव साधुः । पुरुद्रुहो हि क्षितयो जनानां प्रति प्रतीचीर्दहतादरातीः ॥

Be for us, O Agni, a happy-minded presence when you come near—like a friend in friendship, like a father, a true helper. For many are the hostile powers among the habitations of men; burn back the returning attacks, the forces of ill-will.

Mantra 2

तपो ष्वग्ने अन्तराँ अमित्रान्तपा शंसमररुषः परस्य । तपो वसो चिकितानो अचित्तान्वि ते तिष्ठन्तामजरा अयासः ॥

Burn with your heat, O Agni, the inner enemies; burn the hostile proclamation of the one who rages against us. O Vasu, conscious in your seeing, let your unaging, unfailing fires stand out against the unmindful and obscure forces.

Mantra 3

इध्मेनाग्न इच्छमानो घृतेन जुहोमि हव्यं तरसे बलाय । यावदीशे ब्रह्मणा वन्दमान इमां धियं शतसेयाय देवीम् ॥

With fuel, O Agni, seeking, and with clarified offering, I pour the oblation for strength and for power. As far as I am able, worshipping with the sacred word, I bring forward this divine thought-force for a hundredfold victory and mastery.

Mantra 4

उच्छोचिषा सहसस्पुत्र स्तुतो बृहद्वयः शशमानेषु धेहि । रेवदग्ने विश्वामित्रेषु शं योर्मर्मृज्मा ते तन्वं भूरि कृत्वः ॥

Rise up with your flame, O son of Force, praised; place in the mastering seekers a vast and winged power of ascent. O Agni, rich in abundance among the Viśvāmitras, we would make smooth and bright your body, building it greatly for peace and well-being.

Mantra 5

कृधि रत्नं सुसनितर्धनानां स घेदग्ने भवसि यत्समिद्धः । स्तोतुर्दुरोणे सुभगस्य रेवत्सृप्रा करस्ना दधिषे वपूंषि ॥

Fashion for us the jewel of inner plenitude, the good winning of the soul’s riches; for indeed, O Agni, when you are kindled you become that effective Power. In the dwelling of the fortunate singer you set your radiant forms—your strong-flaming energies—so that the house of consciousness becomes opulent with Light.