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A HYMN TO AGNI
MANDALA IV, SUKTA 6
1.SAYANA: High, very high
for us stand, O summoner (or, performer of offering), O Agni, a great sacrificer
in the sacrifice (in which the gods are extended).
SRI AUROBINDO: High, yea, very high,
stand, O Flame, O offering
priest of the journeying sacrifice, be very mighty for sacrifice in the forming
of the gods. For thou comest over every thought and thou carriest on its
way the thinking mind of the orderer of the work.
2.SAY
ANA: The intelligent offering priest, the enrapturing Agni of great knowledge is
settled among the peoples (the priests) in (for) the sacrifices; he resorts
upward to his lustre like the sun; like a pillar he supports his smoke above the
heaven.
SRI AUROBINDO: The offering priest inspired of mind has taken his seat in the
peoples, Agni, the rapturous, the wise thinker in the gettings of knowledge; he
has risen high into light like the all-creating sun; like a pillar he holds up
his smoke against the heavens.
(The joy, wisdom, knowledge of Agni in men’s gettings of knowledge, he is
a high creator of knowledge like the sun; he supports the heavens with his
smoke.)
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3.SAYANA
: The ghee-giving flame (or ladle?) controlled and very swift (or very old) is
wealthy (i:e. full of ghee); he (Agni or the Adhvaryu) becomes or goes (round
from left) to right, widening the sacrifice; and also the new- born post becomes
high; approaching, very bright, the axe (?) goes to the animals (or the post
excellent etc. and well placed goes to the animals).
SRI
AUROBINDO: The clear-shining flame of him is reined and swift and opulent (or,
delightful), he on his right hand circling widens the extension of the gods;
high like a post of sacrifice, new-born, moving, firm on his base and bright he
brings the (seeing) herds.
4. * SRI AUROBINDO: The altar spread, the fire
kindled, the leader of sacrifice pleasing the gods stands high; the offering
priest ancient, greatening (the offering), goes like a herdsman thrice round
(the cattle).
5.SAY
ANA : Limited in motion he goes round himself (in his own form), the offerer
Agni enrapturing, sweet-voiced, having sacrifice; his lustres run forded (or
like horses); all beings fear when he blazes.
SRI AUROBINDO: He encompasses
with himself in his measured motion, the Flame, the offering priest, rapturous,
honey-worded, master of truth; his lustres run like horses; all the worlds are
in awe when he blazes forth.
* Sayana’s interpretation not
found in the MS.
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6.SAYANA:
O fair-flaming Agni, the delightful, praisable (or auspicious) image of thee
terrible, pervading on every side, is full-seen, because they (the nights) do
not stop thee with darkness nor the destroyers put (create) sin in thy body.
SRI AUROBINDO: O Thou Flame of great force (or, fire of force), though thou art
terrible as thou goest abroad over the regions, happy and beautiful is the
vision of thee; for the nights envelop thee not with darkness nor have the
destroyers cast sin into thy body.
7.SAYANA
: Of whom, father (of rain), his giving (or, lustre) is not stopped (by
anybody); and in whose sending the father and mother (heaven and earth) do not
quickly prevail, the purifier like a well-pleased friend shines among the
peoples of Manu.
SRI AUROBINDO: The gettings of this begetter of things (or, the light of this
begetter and getter of things) cannot be shut in, nor the Father and Mother when
he urges. Then shines the purifying flame as the friend, well-based, in the
human peoples.
8.SAY
ANA: Whom the ten sisters coming together (the fingers), bore, Agni, among the
peoples of Manu, like women, waker at dawn, the eater (of offerings), bright,
fair-faced, like a sharp axe (killing the Rakshasas).
SRI AUROBINDO: Twice five sisters who dwell together
gave birth to this flame in the
human peoples; they like women (?) gave birth to the brighter eater who awakes
with dawn, whose face is beautiful; he is like a keen axe.
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9.SAYANA
: These horses of thine, Agni, streaming water, red, straight-moving,
well-going, shining young (or, rainers well-formed and beautiful) are called to
the sacrifice.
SRI AUROBINDO: These bright
steeds of thine, O Flame, who stream clear brightness (ghrita), and are red and
straight and fair of motion, shining potent stallions, are called in their power
to the extending of the godheads.
10. SAYANA: Those rays of thine, overcoming, moving, bright, to be served, go
like horses to their goal; they are great- sounding like the Maruts host.
SRI AUROBINDO: Those illuminings of
thee, O Flame, they overpower, they travel, they are keen in brightness, they
are active, they move like eagles to the goal, they are many-voiced like the
host of the Life-gods.
11.SAYANA
: O thou who art being kindled, for thee the praise is made; one (the Rota)
speaks the praise, one (the Yajamana) sacrifices; give (wealth). Men desiring
(wealth) - serve
worshipping Agni, the caller of the gods speakable (praisable)
of man.
SRI AUROBINDO: The sow-thought
is formed, O kindling Flame, for thee; for thee one speaks the word and
sacrifices; ordain. Men, the desirers, take refuge in the flame, the priest of
sacrifice, with obeisance to the expresser of the human being.
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