Sukta 9

Mantra 1

सखायस्त्वा ववृमहे देवं मर्तास ऊतये । अपां नपातं सुभगं सुदीदितिं सुप्रतूर्तिमनेहसम् ॥

As comrades we choose you, the god, O mortals for our help—Apām Napāt, the fortunate one, the well-kindled, the well-victorious, the unwearied.

Mantra 2

कायमानो वना त्वं यन्मातॄरजगन्नपः । न तत्ते अग्ने प्रमृषे निवर्तनं यद्दूरे सन्निहाभवः ॥

Though you move through the woods, when you went to the mothers, the waters—this is no turning-back for you, O Agni, no fading of your forward urge: though far away, you become here (present).

Mantra 3

अति तृष्टं ववक्षिथाथैव सुमना असि । प्रप्रान्ये यन्ति पर्यन्य आसते येषां सख्ये असि श्रितः ॥

Thou hast carried us beyond the hard-pressed resistance; therefore thou becomest the clear gladness within. Some move forward in the path, others encompass and guard from around—those in whose comradeship thou art established.

Mantra 4

ईयिवांसमति स्रिधः शश्वतीरति सश्चतः । अन्वीमविन्दन्निचिरासो अद्रुहोऽप्सु सिंहमिव श्रितम् ॥

Him who was advancing they followed beyond the breaks and beyond the long continuities; the patient and undeceiving ones found him—like a lion lodged in the waters—established in the depths.

Mantra 5

ससृवांसमिव त्मनाग्निमित्था तिरोहितम् । ऐनं नयन्मातरिश्वा परावतो देवेभ्यो मथितं परि ॥

As one flowing by its own nature, so was Agni—thus hidden. Mātariśvan led him from the far beyond, churned out for the gods and brought here.

Mantra 6

तं त्वा मर्ता अगृभ्णत देवेभ्यो हव्यवाहन । विश्वान्यद्यज्ञाँ अभिपासि मानुष तव क्रत्वा यविष्ठ्य ॥

The mortals have seized thee for the gods, O carrier of the offering. For thou guardest all the sacrifices—O human-facing Fire—by thy will of effective knowledge, O youngest in power.

Mantra 7

तद्भद्रं तव दंसना पाकाय चिच्छदयति । त्वां यदग्ने पशवः समासते समिद्धमपिशर्वरे ॥

This is the blessedness of thy power: it covers even the unripe in understanding. When the herds of energies gather to thee, O Agni—kindled—thou art a shelter even in the dim enclosure.

Mantra 8

आ जुहोता स्वध्वरं शीरं पावकशोचिषम् । आशुं दूतमजिरं प्रत्नमीड्यं श्रुष्टी देवं सपर्यत ॥

Offer to him—the self-righting, swift, and pure-flaming; the rapid messenger, tireless, ancient and ever-worthy of aspiration. With obedient hearing, serve the god.

Mantra 9

त्रीणि शता त्री सहस्राण्यग्निं त्रिंशच्च देवा नव चासपर्यन् । औक्षन्घृतैरस्तृणन्बर्हिरस्मा आदिद्धोतारं न्यसादयन्त ॥

Three hundred, three thousand—thirty and nine—powers served Agni. They anointed him with clarities, they spread the sacred seat for him; then indeed they set the Priest down in his place.