Sukta 16

Mantra 1

बृहद्वयो हि भानवेऽर्चा देवायाग्नये । यं मित्रं न प्रशस्तिभिर्मर्तासो दधिरे पुरः ॥

Sing the vast strength to the shining one, to Agni the godhead; whom mortals, with their affirming praises, set in front like a Friend—leader of the march and guardian of the way.

Mantra 2

स हि द्युभिर्जनानां होता दक्षस्य बाह्वोः । वि हव्यमग्निरानुषग्भगो न वारमृण्वति ॥

For he, with the shining powers, is the priest of the peoples, in the arms of skill and effective intelligence. Agni distributes the offering in due succession, like Bhaga opening the desirable enclosure—releasing the portion of delight and plenitude.

Mantra 3

अस्य स्तोमे मघोनः सख्ये वृद्धशोचिषः । विश्वा यस्मिन्तुविष्वणि समर्ये शुष्ममादधुः ॥

In this hymn of affirmation, in the friendship of the bountiful One, the powers of the growing flame gather together all their force in the wide-resounding Arya—so that the inner hero may carry the might needed for the battle.

Mantra 4

अधा ह्यग्न एषां सुवीर्यस्य मंहना । तमिद्यह्वं न रोदसी परि श्रवो बभूवतुः ॥

Then indeed, O Agni, by their generous outpouring of true hero-power, even that swift, upward-moving Flame becomes a fame that surrounds Heaven and Earth—an accomplished resonance of the work.

Mantra 5

नू न एहि वार्यमग्ने गृणान आ भर । ये वयं ये च सूरयः स्वस्ति धामहे सचोतैधि पृत्सु नो वृधे ॥

Now come to us, O Agni, and bring the desirable plenitude. We and the illumined leaders who found our station in the Vast Well-being—be with us, and grow in us for our increase in the battles.