Sukta 1

Mantra 1

अबोध्यग्निः समिधा जनानां प्रति धेनुमिवायतीमुषासम् । यह्वा इव प्र वयामुज्जिहानाः प्र भानवः सिस्रते नाकमच्छ ॥

Agni has awakened by the kindling of men, facing the Dawn that comes like a milch-cow of light. Like swift-going powers he lifts his tongues upward; his radiances stream forth toward the heaven.

Mantra 2

अबोधि होता यजथाय देवानूर्ध्वो अग्निः सुमनाः प्रातरस्थात् । समिद्धस्य रुशददर्शि पाजो महान्देवस्तमसो निरमोचि ॥

The Offerer has awakened for the sacrifice of the gods; Agni, upright and of glad mind, has stood at the Dawn. The shining might of the kindled One is seen—great is the God who is released from darkness.

Mantra 3

यदीं गणस्य रशनामजीगः शुचिरङ्क्ते शुचिभिर्गोभिरग्निः । आद्दक्षिणा युज्यते वाजयन्त्युत्तानामूर्ध्वो अधयज्जुहूभिः ॥

When he has stirred the girdle of the host, Agni, pure, anoints himself with the pure rays. Then Dakṣiṇā is yoked, bringing plenitude of force; upright, he milks upward the outstretched (powers) with the ladles of offering.

Mantra 4

अग्निमच्छा देवयतां मनांसि चक्षूंषीव सूर्ये सं चरन्ति । यदीं सुवाते उषसा विरूपे श्वेतो वाजी जायते अग्रे अह्नाम् ॥

Toward Agni the god-seeking minds move together, as eyes converge upon the Sun. When the two Dawn-powers, diverse in form, bring him forth, the white steed of plenitude is born at the head of the days.

Mantra 5

जनिष्ट हि जेन्यो अग्रे अह्नां हितो हितेष्वरुषो वनेषु । दमेदमे सप्त रत्ना दधानोऽग्निर्होता नि षसादा यजीयान् ॥

For he is born, the noble one, at the beginning of the days, set in the set places, the ruddy one in the forests. In house after house bearing the seven treasures, Agni the Hotṛ has sat down, most worthy of the offering.

Mantra 6

अग्निर्होता न्यसीदद्यजीयानुपस्थे मातुः सुरभा उ लोके । युवा कविः पुरुनिष्ठ ऋतावा धर्ता कृष्टीनामुत मध्य इद्धः ॥

Agni the Hotṛ has sat down, most worthy, in the fragrant lap of the Mother in her world. Young, a seer, firmly founded in many seats, a keeper of Ṛta, he is the upholder of the peoples, and kindled in the midst.

Mantra 7

प्र णु त्यं विप्रमध्वरेषु साधुमग्निं होतारमीळते नमोभिः । आ यस्ततान रोदसी ऋतेन नित्यं मृजन्ति वाजिनं घृतेन ॥

Now they adore with obeisance that inspired and capable Agni, the Hotṛ, in the sacrifices—he who has stretched out Heaven and Earth by Ṛta. Ever they cleanse the bearer of plenitude with streams of clarified light.

Mantra 8

मार्जाल्यो मृज्यते स्वे दमूनाः कविप्रशस्तो अतिथिः शिवो नः । सहस्रशृङ्गो वृषभस्तदोजा विश्वाँ अग्ने सहसा प्रास्यन्यान् ॥

The cleanser is cleansed in his own home, the house-lord, praised by seers, our gracious guest. Thousand-horned bull, of that mighty power—O Agni, by thy force drive away all others (that oppose).

Mantra 9

प्र सद्यो अग्ने अत्येष्यन्यानाविर्यस्मै चारुतमो बभूथ । ईळेन्यो वपुष्यो विभावा प्रियो विशामतिथिर्मानुषीणाम् ॥

O Agni, you move forth at once, surpassing other powers; you become manifest to the one for whom you have grown most beautiful and most gracious. Adorable, perfect in form, wide-shining, you are the beloved guest of the human clans—entering the inner house to awaken the offering of the soul.

Mantra 10

तुभ्यं भरन्ति क्षितयो यविष्ठ बलिमग्ने अन्तित ओत दूरात् । आ भन्दिष्ठस्य सुमतिं चिकिद्धि बृहत्ते अग्ने महि शर्म भद्रम् ॥

To you, O youngest Agni, the peoples bring their offering, from near and also from far. Perceive and establish in us the right-mindedness of the most bountiful; for vast and mighty is your happy shelter, O Agni, a protection that is truly beneficent.

Mantra 11

आद्य रथं भानुमो भानुमन्तमग्ने तिष्ठ यजतेभिः समन्तम् । विद्वान्पथीनामुर्वन्तरिक्षमेह देवान्हविरद्याय वक्षि ॥

Mount today the radiant chariot, O Agni, the chariot full of rays; stand encompassed with the worshippers. Knowing the paths through the wide mid-world, bring here the Gods to the offering set for today—lead the powers of light into our present work.

Mantra 12

अवोचाम कवये मेध्याय वचो वन्दारु वृषभाय वृष्णे । गविष्ठिरो नमसा स्तोममग्नौ दिवीव रुक्ममुरुव्यञ्चमश्रेत् ॥

We have spoken a word of adoration to the seer, to the power fit for the sacrifice—to the Bull, the strong One. The hymn, offered with reverence, is set in Agni like a wide-spreading golden light in heaven: it becomes a shining form that expands the soul’s space.