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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