Sukta 7

Mantra 1

अयमिह प्रथमो धायि धातृभिर्होता यजिष्ठो अध्वरेष्वीड्यः । यमप्नवानो भृगवो विरुरुचुर्वनेषु चित्रं विभ्वं विशेविशे ॥

This one here was first established by the ordainers—Agni the Priest, most worshipful, to be adored in the sacrifices. Him the Bhṛgus, winning him, made blaze forth in the forests, a wondrous vast power for clan after clan.

Mantra 2

अग्ने कदा त आनुषग्भुवद्देवस्य चेतनम् । अधा हि त्वा जगृभ्रिरे मर्तासो विक्ष्वीड्यम् ॥

O Agni, when shall there be for thee the continuous awakening of the godhead? For then indeed mortals seize thee and hold thee fast, adorable in the clans.

Mantra 4

आशुं दूतं विवस्वतो विश्वा यश्चर्षणीरभि । आ जभ्रुः केतुमायवो भृगवाणं विशेविशे ॥

The swift messenger of Vivasvat, who goes to all the races, the seekers have brought—his banner of light, the Bhṛgu-born—into each and every clan.

Mantra 6

तं शश्वतीषु मातृषु वन आ वीतमश्रितम् । चित्रं सन्तं गुहा हितं सुवेदं कूचिदर्थिनम् ॥

Him we seek and approach in the eternal Mothers, in the forest-growth of Nature: the One who has entered and taken his seat. Wondrous in being, hidden in the secret cave, he is perfectly knowable to the seeker—though he is sought only by one who truly yearns.

Mantra 7

ससस्य यद्वियुता सस्मिन्नूधन्नृतस्य धामन्रणयन्त देवाः । महाँ अग्निर्नमसा रातहव्यो वेरध्वराय सदमिदृतावा ॥

When, in that udder of abundance where the streams are set apart, the gods made ready the dwelling of the Truth—then mighty Agni, to whom the oblation is given by reverence, comes to the sacrifice; he is ever the bearer of the Truth.

Mantra 8

वेरध्वरस्य दूत्यानि विद्वानुभे अन्ता रोदसी संचिकित्वान् । दूत ईयसे प्रदिव उराणो विदुष्टरो दिव आरोधनानि ॥

Knowing the embassies of the sacrifice, comprehending the two ends of Heaven and Earth, you go as the messenger—ranging out from the luminous height—most in knowledge, knowing the ascents and passages of the Heaven.

Mantra 10

सद्यो जातस्य ददृशानमोजो यदस्य वातो अनुवाति शोचिः । वृणक्ति तिग्मामतसेषु जिह्वां स्थिरा चिदन्ना दयते वि जम्भैः ॥

At once, from his birth, his power is seen: when the Wind blows along his flame, he draws out the sharp tongue; even firm foods he tears apart with his jaws.

Mantra 11

तृषु यदन्ना तृषुणा ववक्ष तृषुं दूतं कृणुते यह्वो अग्निः । वातस्य मेळिं सचते निजूर्वन्नाशुं न वाजयते हिन्वे अर्वा ॥

When he has grown among the foods by his burning thirst, the impetuous Agni makes himself a thirsty messenger. He joins the onrush of the Wind; pressing forward, he drives like a swift steed for the winning of plenitude.