Sukta 6

Mantra 1

प्र सम्राजो असुरस्य प्रशस्तिं पुंसः कृष्टीनामनुमाद्यस्य । इन्द्रस्येव प्र तवसस्कृतानि वन्दे दारुं वन्दमानो विवक्मि ॥

I bring forward the praise of the sovereign Lord-power, the inspiring delight of the peoples. Like Indra’s mighty deeds, I proclaim the works of the Strong One; I bow to the sacred wood, and in adoration I utter—awakening the Fire in the substance of life.

Mantra 2

कविं केतुं धासिं भानुमद्रेर्हिन्वन्ति शं राज्यं रोदस्योः । पुरंदरस्य गीर्भिरा विवासेऽग्नेर्व्रतानि पूर्व्या महानि ॥

They impel the seer, the sign, the support, the radiant flame—born from the stone—toward the blissful sovereignty of the two worlds. With my hymns I serve the Fort-splitter; I awaken Agni’s ancient and mighty laws—so the inner kingdom may stand in right order.

Mantra 3

न्यक्रतून्ग्रथिनो मृध्रवाचः पणीँरश्रद्धाँ अवृधाँ अयज्ञान् । प्रप्र तान्दस्यूँरग्निर्विवाय पूर्वश्चकारापराँ अयज्यून् ॥

Agni drives down and away the will-less, the knot-bound, the crooked-speakers—those Paṇis without faith, without growth, without sacrifice. Forward, ever forward, he chases those Dasyus; he makes the former powers first, and casts the later, the non-offerers, behind.

Mantra 4

यो अपाचीने तमसि मदन्तीः प्राचीश्चकार नृतमः शचीभिः । तमीशानं वस्वो अग्निं गृणीषेऽनानतं दमयन्तं पृतन्यून् ॥

He who, by his powers, turns those that revel in the westward darkness toward the east—he, the most manly in his workings. That sovereign Agni, lord of plenitude, I affirm: unconquered, taming the fighters within us.

Mantra 5

यो देह्यो अनमयद्वधस्नैर्यो अर्यपत्नीरुषसश्चकार । स निरुध्या नहुषो यह्वो अग्निर्विशश्चक्रे बलिहृतः सहोभिः ॥

He who healed the needy with slaying-powers, he who made the Dawns the spouses of the Arya (the noble aspiration). That far-striding Agni, holding back the adverse, made the peoples bearers of offering by his strengths.

Mantra 6

यस्य शर्मन्नुप विश्वे जनास एवैस्तस्थुः सुमतिं भिक्षमाणाः । वैश्वानरो वरमा रोदस्योराग्निः ससाद पित्रोरुपस्थम् ॥

Under whose protecting peace all peoples stand, asking for the right-mindedness—Vaiśvānara Agni has taken his chosen seat between the two worlds, settling into the lap of his parents (Heaven and Earth).

Mantra 7

आ देवो ददे बुध्न्या वसूनि वैश्वानर उदिता सूर्यस्य । आ समुद्रादवरादा परस्मादाग्निर्ददे दिव आ पृथिव्याः ॥

The divine One gives the deep-founded riches; Vaiśvānara gives from the rising of the Sun. From the lower ocean and from the farther beyond, Agni gives—from Heaven down to Earth.