The Rig Veda/Mandala 3/Hymn 26

1. REVERING in our heart Agni Vaisvanara, the finder of the light, whose promises are true, The liberal, gladsome, car-borne God we Kusikas invoke him with oblation, seeking wealth with songs. 2. That Agni, bright, Vaisvanara, we invoke for help, and Matarisvan worthy of the song of praise; Brhaspati for man's observance of the Gods, the Singer prompt to hear, the swiftly-moving guest. 3. Age after age Vaisvanara, neighing like a horse, is kindled with the women by the Kusikas. May Agni, he who wakes among Immortal Gods, grant us heroic strength and wealth in noble steeds. 4. Let them go forth, the strong, as flames of fire with might. Gathered for victory they have yoked their spotted deer. Pourers of floods, the Maruts, Masters of all wealth, they who can ne'er be conquered, make the mountains shake. 5. The Maruts, Friends of men, are glorious as the fire: their mighty and resplendent succour we implore. Those storming Sons of Rudra clothed in robes of rain, boon-givers of good gifts, roar as the lions roar. 6. We, band on band and troop following troop, entreat with fair lauds Agni's splendour and the Maruts' might, With spotted deer for steeds, with wealth that never fails, they, wise Ones, come to sacrifice at our gatherings. 7. Agni am I who know, by birth, all creatures. Mine eye is butter, in my mouth is nectar. I am light threefold, measurer of the region exhaustless heat am I, named burnt-oblation. 8. Bearing in mind a thought with light accordant, he purified the Sun with three refinings; By his own nature gained the highest treasure, and looked abroad over the earth and heaven. 9. The Spring that fails not with a hundred streamlets, Father inspired of' prayers that men should utter, The Sparkler, joyous in his Parents' bosom, -him, the Truth-speaker, sate ye, Earth and Heaven.