Sukta 20

Mantra 1

यमग्ने वाजसातम त्वं चिन्मन्यसे रयिम् । तं नो गीर्भिः श्रवाय्यं देवत्रा पनया युजम् ॥

That wealth of plenitude which you yourself deem best, O Agni, bring it to us by our inspired words—wealth worthy to be heard of, yoked to the gods, rich in delight.

Mantra 2

ये अग्ने नेरयन्ति ते वृद्धा उग्रस्य शवसः । अप द्वेषो अप ह्वरोऽन्यव्रतस्य सश्चिरे ॥

Those who do not drive you forward, O Agni—though grown in the strength of your fierce power—have fallen away into hatred and crookedness, into the path of one who follows another law.

Mantra 3

होतारं त्वा वृणीमहेऽग्ने दक्षस्य साधनम् । यज्ञेषु पूर्व्यं गिरा प्रयस्वन्तो हवामहे ॥

We choose you, O Agni, as the inner Priest who carries the offering upward—the accomplisher of dakṣa (the discerning power and right skill). In the sacrifices, the ancient One, we call you with the word, we who are full of ardour and right effort.

Mantra 4

इत्था यथा त ऊतये सहसावन्दिवेदिवे । राय ऋताय सुक्रतो गोभिः ष्याम सधमादो वीरैः स्याम सधमादः ॥

So may it be, that for your help, O mighty one, day by day: for the richness that accords with ṛta, O clear-willed power, may we be companions in the shared delight—with rays of light (cows) and with heroic strengths; may we be companions in the shared delight.