Sukta 17

Mantra 1

आ यज्ञैर्देव मर्त्य इत्था तव्यांसमूतये । अग्निं कृते स्वध्वरे पूरुरीळीतावसे ॥

By sacrifices the mortal comes near, O God, to the more powerful One for help; and Pūru, in the rightly fashioned journey of the offering, adores Agni for protection—calling the divine Will to guard and lead.

Mantra 2

अस्य हि स्वयशस्तर आसा विधर्मन्मन्यसे । तं नाकं चित्रशोचिषं मन्द्रं परो मनीषया ॥

For you deem him to be of a self-born greater glory, O discerner of the law: that heaven-high Agni of variegated flame, the delight-giver, is held beyond by the illumined mind.

Mantra 3

अस्य वासा उ अर्चिषा य आयुक्त तुजा गिरा । दिवो न यस्य रेतसा बृहच्छोचन्त्यर्चयः ॥

His raiment is of flame; he is yoked by the driving word. And like the seed of heaven, his vast rays blaze forth—great illuminations kindled from the luminous essence.

Mantra 4

अस्य क्रत्वा विचेतसो दस्मस्य वसु रथ आ । अधा विश्वासु हव्योऽग्निर्विक्षु प्र शस्यते ॥

By his discerning power of will, the wondrous One brings the good treasure upon the chariot of movement; then, as the one to be invoked, Agni is acclaimed among all the clans—present in every field of human life.

Mantra 5

नू न इद्धि वार्यमासा सचन्त सूरयः । ऊर्जो नपादभिष्टये पाहि शग्धि स्वस्तय उतैधि पृत्सु नो वृधे ॥

Now indeed the illumined ones cleave to the desirable good. O Child of Energy, protect for our goal; grant power for our harmony, and blaze up in us for our increase in the battles.