III, 19

Vedic Hymns, Part II (SBE46), by Hermann Oldenberg [1897], at sacred-texts.com

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MANDALA III, HYMN 19.

ASHTAKA III, ADHYÂYA 1, VARGA 19.

1. I choose Agni as Hotri at this sacrificial meal, the clever sage all-knowing and not foolish. May he, the excellent sacrificer, sacrifice for us amid the host of the gods; may he obtain liberal boons (for us) for the sake of wealth and strength.

2. To thee, O Agni, I stretch forth the (ladle) rich in sacrificial food, splendid, full of gifts, full of ghee. From left to right, choosing the host of the gods 1, he has established the sacrifice with gifts and goods 2.

3. Whoever is favoured by thee, is blessed with the sharpest spirit. Favour him with good offspring, O god rich in favours 1! Agni, may we, (dwelling) in the copiousness of manliest wealth, be rich in perfect praise of thee, the Vasu.

4. On thee indeed, O Agni, sacrificing men have put many faces of (thee) the god 1. Bring hither then the host of the gods, O youngest one, when thou wilt sacrifice to-day to the divine host 2.

5. When the gods will anoint thee as the Hotri at the sacrificial meal making thee sit down for the sacrifice, be thou here, O Agni, our furtherer, and bestow glory on our bodies.

NOTES.

The Rishi is Gâthin Kausika, the metre Trishtubh.—Verse 3 = TS. I, 3, 14, 6; MS. IV, 14, 15.

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Verse 2.

Note 1. Comp. below, IV, 6, 3. This parallel passage shows that pradakshinít belongs to urânáh, not to asret. Agni is represented as choosing, i. e. inviting the host of the gods by moving around the sacrificial food from left to right. See concerning the Paryagnikarana, which seems to be alluded to, Hillebrandt, Neu- and Vollmondsopfer, 42 seq.

Note 2. Or, 'with the (divine) givers and with the Vasus.'

Verse 3.

Note 1. Boehtlingk-Roth seem to be right in reading siksho. Comp. VIII, 52, 8. yásmai tvám … síksho síkshasi dâsúshe.

Verse 4.

Note 1. They have inflamed many fires, each of which is a face of the god Agni.

Note 2. Or, 'that thou mayest sacrifice,' &c. See Delbrück, Syntaktische Forschungen, I, 148.