Sukta 19

Mantra 1

अग्निं होतारं प्र वृणे मियेधे गृत्सं कविं विश्वविदममूरम् । स नो यक्षद्देवताता यजीयान्राये वाजाय वनते मघानि ॥

I choose Agni, the invoking priest, in the meeting of sacrifice—Agni the inspired seer, the all-knower, the unbewildered. May he sacrifice for us, establishing the godheads within; the most worthy of offering, he wins for us the plenitude of being and the powers of fulfilment.

Mantra 2

प्र ते अग्ने हविष्मतीमियर्म्यच्छा सुद्युम्नां रातिनीं घृताचीम् । प्रदक्षिणिद्देवतातिमुराणः सं रातिभिर्वसुभिर्यज्ञमश्रेत् ॥

Toward you, O Agni, I set in motion the offering that is rich in oblation—bright with good light, a giver of gifts, flowing with clarified sweetness. Moving in the rightward course, eager and wide in power, may the host of godheads be established; with gifts and with the Vasus may the sacrifice be perfectly joined.

Mantra 3

स तेजीयसा मनसा त्वोत उत शिक्ष स्वपत्यस्य शिक्षोः । अग्ने रायो नृतमस्य प्रभूतौ भूयाम ते सुष्टुतयश्च वस्वः ॥

With a mind made more intense, upheld by you, may we learn—learn the mastery of our own being. O Agni, in the overflowing of the wealth of the most manful Power, may we become your well-praisers, O giver of substance, and grow into that abundance.

Mantra 4

भूरीणि हि त्वे दधिरे अनीकाग्ने देवस्य यज्यवो जनासः । स आ वह देवतातिं यविष्ठ शर्धो यदद्य दिव्यं यजासि ॥

For many are the fronting powers set in you, O Agni, by the people who are fit for the divine offering. Therefore bring here the host of the godheads, O youngest; for today you sacrifice the luminous company.

Mantra 5

यत्त्वा होतारमनजन्मियेधे निषादयन्तो यजथाय देवाः । स त्वं नो अग्नेऽवितेह बोध्यधि श्रवांसि धेहि नस्तनूषु ॥

When the gods, for the act of sacrifice, fashioned you as the invoking priest in the sacrificial meeting and seated you in your place—then you, O Agni, be here our protector and awake within us; set upon our bodies the powers of inspired hearing and victorious fame (the listening that receives Truth).