Sukta 58

Mantra 1

नू चित्सहोजा अमृतो नि तुन्दते होता यद्दूतो अभवद्विवस्वतः । वि साधिष्ठेभिः पथिभी रजो मम आ देवताता हविषा विवासति ॥

Even now the immortal, born of power, is set in motion—when the Hotar becomes the messenger of Vivasvat. Along the most perfect paths he traverses my mid-space, and by the offering he calls the godheads to manifest presence.

Mantra 2

आ स्वमद्म युवमानो अजरस्तृष्वविष्यन्नतसेषु तिष्ठति । अत्यो न पृष्ठं प्रुषितस्य रोचते दिवो न सानु स्तनयन्नचिक्रदत् ॥

He comes to his own home, ever youthful, not aging, rushing through the thirsty places and standing firm in the pressed-out tracks. Like a steed, the back of the sprinkled one shines; like the summit of heaven, thundering, he cries aloud—awakening the being to the call of the higher light.

Mantra 3

क्राणा रुद्रेभिर्वसुभिः पुरोहितो होता निषत्तो रयिषाळमर्त्यः । रथो न विक्ष्वृञ्जसान आयुषु व्यानुषग्वार्या देव ऋण्वति ॥

Strong with the Rudras and the Vasus, set in front, the Hotṛ sits—an immortal, a winner of plenitude (rayiṣāṭ). Like a chariot moving among the clans, harnessing straight, through the life-fields he extends the desirable riches; the god sets them in motion and makes them effective.

Mantra 4

वि वातजूतो अतसेषु तिष्ठते वृथा जुहूभिः सृण्या तुविष्वणिः । तृषु यदग्ने वनिनो वृषायसे कृष्णं त एम रुशदूर्मे अजर ॥

Driven by the Wind-force, the flaming Power stands out among the pressings; with its ladles it does not labour in vain, the strong-resounding stream of energy. When, O Agni, you surge as a bull amid the thirsty growths, then your dark obstruction is broken and your bright wave-movement shines forth, O unaging One.

Mantra 5

तपुर्जम्भो वन आ वातचोदितो यूथे न साह्वाँ अव वाति वंसगः । अभिव्रजन्नक्षितं पाजसा रजः स्थातुश्चरथं भयते पतत्रिणः ॥

With burning jaws, driven onward by the Wind, he breathes downward through the wood like a conquering leader among the herd. Ranging forth with imperishable force, he covers the spaces with his blaze; before him the still and the moving tremble, and the winged things are afraid.

Mantra 6

दधुष्ट्वा भृगवो मानुषेष्वा रयिं न चारुं सुहवं जनेभ्यः । होतारमग्ने अतिथिं वरेण्यं मित्रं न शेवं दिव्याय जन्मने ॥

The Bhṛgus have set you among mortals as a lovely richness, easy to call for the peoples: O Agni, the Hotṛ, the guest worthy of choice, kind like Mitra, for the divine birth within us.

Mantra 7

होतारं सप्त जुह्वो यजिष्ठं यं वाघतो वृणते अध्वरेषु । अग्निं विश्वेषामरतिं वसूनां सपर्यामि प्रयसा यामि रत्नम् ॥

Agni the Hotṛ, most apt for sacrifice, whom the toilers choose in the workings, with the seven ladles: him, the unfailing bearer of all riches, I serve with my offering; to him I go for the treasure.

Mantra 8

अच्छिद्रा सूनो सहसो नो अद्य स्तोतृभ्यो मित्रमहः शर्म यच्छ । अग्ने गृणन्तमंहस उरुष्योर्जो नपात्पूर्भिरायसीभिः ॥

O flawless one, Son of Force, today grant to us—to the singers—your wide peace, O great friend. O Agni, protect the chanter from distress; O Child of plenitude, fortify us with your iron ramparts.

Mantra 9

भवा वरूथं गृणते विभावो भवा मघवन्मघवद्भ्यः शर्म । उरुष्याग्ने अंहसो गृणन्तं प्रातर्मक्षू धियावसुर्जगम्यात् ॥

Become a shelter for the singer, O all-luminous one; become peace for the generous and for those who grow in generosity. O Agni, widen and protect the chanter from distress, so that the wealth of inspired thought may swiftly come to us at the dawn.