Sukta 11

Mantra 1

महाँ अस्यध्वरस्य प्रकेतो न ऋते त्वदमृता मादयन्ते । आ विश्वेभिः सरथं याहि देवैर्न्यग्ने होता प्रथमः सदेह ॥

O Agni, you are the vast discerning consciousness of this sacrifice; without you the immortal Powers do not enter into their delight. Come here with all the gods in one accord and on one chariot; sit down here as the first priest, the forerunner of the offering.

Mantra 2

त्वामीळते अजिरं दूत्याय हविष्मन्तः सदमिन्मानुषासः । यस्य देवैरासदो बर्हिरग्नेऽहान्यस्मै सुदिना भवन्ति ॥

The human offerers, rich in oblation, ever adore you, the swift one, for the work of the messenger. He for whom, O Agni, the sacred seat is taken by the gods—his days become days of a good light and right going.

Mantra 3

त्रिश्चिदक्तोः प्र चिकितुर्वसूनि त्वे अन्तर्दाशुषे मर्त्याय । मनुष्वदग्न इह यक्षि देवान्भवा नो दूतो अभिशस्तिपावा ॥

Even thrice in the night your riches awaken into clear knowledge within you for the mortal who gives. O Agni, in the human way sacrifice here to the gods; become our messenger, a purifier who wards off the hostile word and its harm.

Mantra 4

अग्निरीशे बृहतो अध्वरस्याग्निर्विश्वस्य हविषः कृतस्य । क्रतुं ह्यस्य वसवो जुषन्ताथा देवा दधिरे हव्यवाहम् ॥

Agni rules over the vast sacrifice; Agni is lord of every prepared offering. For the Vasus accept his will and working; therefore the gods established him as the bearer of the oblation.

Mantra 5

आग्ने वह हविरद्याय देवानिन्द्रज्येष्ठास इह मादयन्ताम् । इमं यज्ञं दिवि देवेषु धेहि यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

O Agni, bring the gods for today’s offering; let the powers with Indra as the foremost take their joy here. Set this sacrifice in heaven among the gods; and you, protect us always with your harmonies of well-being.