Sukta 12

Mantra 1

मध्ये होता दुरोणे बर्हिषो राळग्निस्तोदस्य रोदसी यजध्यै । अयं स सूनुः सहस ऋतावा दूरात्सूर्यो न शोचिषा ततान ॥

In the midst, the Hotṛ in the house, kingly upon the sacred seat—Agni, the goad, to sacrifice to the two worlds. This is the son of Force, possessor of ṛta; from afar he has stretched his flame like the Sun with its blaze.

Mantra 2

आ यस्मिन्त्वे स्वपाके यजत्र यक्षद्राजन्त्सर्वतातेव नु द्यौः । त्रिषधस्थस्ततरुषो न जंहो हव्या मघानि मानुषा यजध्यै ॥

O King, O adorable Agni, in whom—when thou art perfectly manifest in the luminous working—heaven itself as it were now sacrifices in a total self-giving; thou, standing on the triple seat, swift beyond all hindrance, art to be worshipped by men with the oblations and with the gifts of plenitude.

Mantra 3

तेजिष्ठा यस्यारतिर्वनेराट् तोदो अध्वन्न वृधसानो अद्यौत् । अद्रोघो न द्रविता चेतति त्मन्नमर्त्योऽवर्त्र ओषधीषु ॥

Most keen is his onward impulse, ruling in the forest of growth; as a goad on the path he shines forth, increasing. Harmless in his intent, like a swift runner he awakens in the inmost being; immortal, unbarred, he moves among the herbs—powers of healing and renewal.

Mantra 4

सास्माकेभिरेतरी न शूषैरग्निः ष्टवे दम आ जातवेदाः । द्र्वन्नो वन्वन्क्रत्वा नार्वोस्रः पितेव जारयायि यज्ञैः ॥

With our eager strengths he advances like a swift mover; Agni, the Knower of births, is to be hymned in the home of the being. Driving forward, conquering by will, like a coursing steed, he brings the dawn-lights; like a father he makes the sacrifice grow old into ripeness by our offerings.

Mantra 5

अध स्मास्य पनयन्ति भासो वृथा यत्तक्षदनुयाति पृथ्वीम् । सद्यो यः स्यन्द्रो विषितो धवीयानृणो न तायुरति धन्वा राट् ॥

Then his splendors are set in motion; never in vain is what he has shaped, for it follows through the wide earth of our nature. Immediately, when he is released, he rushes in a flowing surge, more impetuous—like a debtor pursuing payment—he overstrides the desert and rules.

Mantra 6

स त्वं नो अर्वन्निदाया विश्वेभिरग्ने अग्निभिरिधानः । वेषि रायो वि यासि दुच्छुना मदेम शतहिमाः सुवीराः ॥

So thou, our steed of the journey, kindled with all the fires, O Agni, leadest us to the plenitudes; thou separatest and drivest away the evil path. May we rejoice, a hundred winters enduring, rich in heroic powers of the soul.