Sukta 86

Mantra 1

इन्द्राग्नी यमवथ उभा वाजेषु मर्त्यम् । दृळ्हा चित्स प्र भेदति द्युम्ना वाणीरिव त्रितः ॥

Indra and Agni—whomever you two uphold in the plenitudes of force, that mortal breaks even what is firmly fixed, as Trita breaks forth radiant utterances. For when Will and Power join, the inner obstacles crack and the light-bearing word emerges.

Mantra 2

या पृतनासु दुष्टरा या वाजेषु श्रवाय्या । या पञ्च चर्षणीरभीन्द्राग्नी ता हवामहे ॥

That Indra-and-Agni power which is hard to cross in battles, which brings the hearing of glory in the plenitudes, which stands facing and uplifting the five peoples—that we call. Become within us the victorious force and the fame of truth, conquering the inner war.

Mantra 3

तयोरिदमवच्छवस्तिग्मा दिद्युन्मघोनोः । प्रति द्रुणा गभस्त्योर्गवां वृत्रघ्न एषते ॥

Of those two, indeed, is this force full of might—sharp is the flashing light of the bounteous ones. Toward the wooden enclosure, in their hands, it presses: the Vṛtra-slaying power strains for the cows—toward the rays of knowledge held in the dark hold—so that light may be won.

Mantra 4

ता वामेषे रथानामिन्द्राग्नी हवामहे । पती तुरस्य राधसो विद्वांसा गिर्वणस्तमा ॥

To you two, leaders of the movements (the chariots), we call—Indra and Agni. Lords of swift abundance, knowers, most receptive to the inspired word: come and govern our journey, so our action may move by right force and attain the plenitude you bestow.

Mantra 5

ता वृधन्तावनु द्यून्मर्ताय देवावदभा । अर्हन्ता चित्पुरो दधेंऽशेव देवावर्वते ॥

Those two Gods, growing in their power, move day after day for the mortal; inviolable, they set before him the leading fronts of attainment, as if by their rightful share, for the steed of the journey (the life-force) to advance.

Mantra 6

एवेन्द्राग्निभ्यामहावि हव्यं शूष्यं घृतं न पूतमद्रिभिः । ता सूरिषु श्रवो बृहद्रयिं गृणत्सु दिधृतमिषं गृणत्सु दिधृतम् ॥

Thus for Indra and Agni the offering has been poured out—like clarified sweetness purified by the pressing-stones, a force that ripens. May those two establish among the illumined leaders a vast fame and a plenitude of being; may they uphold the impulsion of nourishment in those who chant, uphold it in those who chant.