Yajurveda, Book 11

¹HARNESSING, first of all, the mind, Savitar having stretched the thought With reverent look upon the light of Agni bore them up from earth.

²By impulse of God Savitar we with our spirit harnessed strive With might to win the heavenly.

³Savitar, having harnessed Gods who go to light and heavenly thought, Who will create the lofty light—Savitar urge them on their way!

⁴The priests of him the lofty priest well skilled in hymns, harness their spirit, yea, harness their holy thoughts. He only, skilled in rules, assigns their priestly tasks. Yea, lofty is the praise of Savitar the God.

⁵I yoke with prayer your ancient inspiration: may the laud rise as on the prince's pathway. All Sons of the Immortal One shall hear it, who have resorted to celestial dwellings.

⁶Even he, the God whose going forth and majesty the other Deities have followed with their might, He who hath measured the celestial regions out by his great power, he is the Courser Savitar.

⁷Our sacrifice, God Savitar! speed forward: speed to his share the sacrifice's patron. May the celestial Gandharva, Cleanser of thought and will, make clean our thoughts and wishes. The Lord of Speech sweeten the words we utter!

⁸God Savitar, speed this God-loved sacrifice of ours, friend-finding, ever-conquering, winning wealth and heaven. Speed praise-song with the sacred verse, Rathantara with Gâyatra, Brihat that runs in Gâyatra. All-hail!

⁹By impulse of God Savitar I take thee, with arms of Asvins, with the hands of Pûshan, in Angiras’ manner, with Gâyatrî metre. From the earth's seat bring thou Purîshya Agni, as Angiras was wont, with Trishtup metre.

¹⁰Spade art thou; woman art thou. Ours be power with thee to dig out Agni in his dwelling, as Angiras was wont, with Jagatî metre.

¹¹Savitar, bearing in his hand the gold spade which he took therewith, Looking with reverence on the light of Agni, raised it from the earth, With the Anushtup metre and as Angiras was wont to do.

¹²Run hither, urged to speed, O Horse, along the most extended space. Thy loftiest birthplace is in heaven. thy navel is in air's mid-realm, the womb that bare thee is on earth.

¹³Upon this course, O lords of wealth, harness; ye twain, the Ass who bears Agni, and kindly favours us.

¹⁴In every need, in every race we call, as friends, to succour us, Indra, the mightiest of all.

¹⁵Come speeding on and trampling imprecations; come gladdening to the chieftainship of Rudra. Speed through the wide air thou whose paths are pleasant, with Pûshan for thy mate, providing safety.

¹⁶From the Earth's seat, like Anginas, bring thou Purîshya Agni forth. After the wont of Angiras we to Purîshya Agni go. Agni Purîshya we will bear after the went of Angiras.

¹⁷Agni hath looked along the van of Mornings, looked on the days, the earliest Jâtavedas, And many a time along the beams of Sûrya: along the heaven and earth hast thou extended.

¹⁸The Courser, started on his way, shakes from him all hostilities. He longs to look with reverent eye on Agni is the mighty. seat.

¹⁹O Courser, having come to earth, seek Agni with a longing wish. Tell us by trampling on the ground where we may dig him from the earth.

²⁰Heaven is thy back, the earth thy seat, the air thy soul, the sea thy womb. Looking around thee with thine eye trample the adversaries down.

²¹Wealth-giver, Courser, from this place step forth to great felicity. May we enjoy Earth's favour while we dig forth Agni from her

²²Down hath he stepped, wealth-giver, racer, courser. Good and auspicious room on earth thou madest. Thence let us dig forth Agni, fair to look on, while to the loftiest vault we mount, to heaven.

²³I thoughtfully besprinkle thee with butter, thee dwelling near to all existing creatures. Broad, vast through vital power that moves transversely, conspicuous, strong with all the food that feeds thee.

²⁴I sprinkle him who moves in all directions: may he accept it with a friendly spirit. Agni with bridegroom's face and lovely colour may not be touched when all his form is fury.

²⁵Round the oblation bath he paced, Agni the wise, the Lord of Strength, Giving the offerer precious boons.

²⁶We set thee round us as a fort, victorious Agni, thee a Sage, Of hero lineage, day by day destroyer of our treacherous foes.

²⁷Thou, Agni, with the days, fain to shine hitherward, art brought to life from out the waters, from the stone, From out the forest trees and herbs that grow on ground. thou, Sovran Lord of men, art generated pure.

²⁸At Savitar's, the Shining One's, impulsion, with arms of Asvins and with hands of Pûshan, As Angiras was wont to do, I dig thee forth from the seat of Earth, Agni Purîshya. Thee, Agni, luminous and fair of aspect, resplendent with imperishable lustre, gracious to living creatures, never harming, As Angiras was wont to do, we dig thee forth from the seat of Earth, Agni Purîshya.

²⁹Thou art the Waters’ back, the womb of Agni, around the ocean as it swells and surges. Waxing to greatness, resting on the lotus, spread thou in amplitude with heaven's own measure.

³⁰Yea are a shelter and a shield, uninjured both, and widely spread. Do ye; expansive, cover him: bear ye Purîshya Agni up.

³¹Cover him, finders of the light, united both with breast and self, Bearing between you Agni, the refulgent, everlasting One.

³²Thou art Purîshya, thou support of all. Atharvan was the first, Agni, who rubbed thee into life. Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth by rubbing from the lotus, from The head of Visva, of the Priest.

³³Thee too as Vritra-slayer, thee breaker of forts, the Sage Dadhyach, Son of Atharvan, lighted up.

³⁴Pâthya the Bull, too, kindled thee the Dasyus’ most destructive foe, Winner of spoil in every fight.

³⁵Sit, Hotar, in the Hotar's place, observant: lay down the sacrifice in the place of worship. Thou, dear to Go is, shalt serve them with oblation. Agni, give long life to the Sacrificer.

³⁶Accustomed to the Hotar's place, the Hotar hath seated him, bright, splendid, passing mighty, Whose foresight keeps the Law from violation, excellent, pure-tongued, bringing thousands, Agni.

³⁷Seat thee, for thou art mighty: shine, best entertainer of the Gods. Worthy of sacred food, praised Agni! loose the smoke, ruddy and beautiful to see.

³⁸Pour heavenly Waters honey-sweet here for our health, for progeny. Forth from the place whereon they fall let plants with goodly berries spring.

³⁹May Vâyu Mâtarisvan heal and comfort thy broken heart as there supine thou liest. Thou unto whom the breath of Gods gives motion, to Ka, yea, unto thee, O God, be Vashat!

⁴⁰He, nobly born with lustre, shield and refuge, hath sat down in light. O Agni, Rich in Splendour, robe thyself in many-hued attire.

⁴¹Lord of fair sacrifice; arise! With Godlike thought protect us well. With great light splendid to behold come, Agni, through sweet hymns of praise.

⁴²Rise up erect to give us aid, stand up like Savitar the God; Erect as strength-bestower when we call aloud, with unguents and with priests on thee.

⁴³Thou, being horn, art Child of Earth and Heaven, parted, fair Babe, among the plants, O Agni. The glooms of night thou, brilliant child, subduest, and art come forth, loud roaring, from the Mothers.

⁴⁴Steady be thou, and firm of limb. Steed, be a racer fleet of foot. Broad be thou, pleasant as a seat, bearing the store which Agni needs.

⁴⁵Be thou propitious, Angiras, to creatures of the human race. Set not on fire the heaven and earth, nor air's mid-region, nor the trees.

⁴⁶Forth with loud neighing go the Steed, the Ass that shouteth as he runs. Bearing Purîshya Agni on, let him not perish ere his time, Male bearer of male Agni, Child of Waters, Offspring of the Sea. Agni, come hither to the feast.

⁴⁷The Law the Truth, the Law the Truth. As Angiras was wont to do, we bear Purîshya Agni on. Ye Plants, with joyous welcome greet this Agni, auspicious One who cometh on to meet you. Removing all distresses and afflictions, here settle down and banish evil purpose.

⁴⁸Welcome him joyfully, ye Plants, laden with bloom and goodly fruit. This seasonable Child of yours hath settled in his ancient seat.

⁴⁹Resplendent with thy wide-extending lustre dispel the terrors of the fiends who hate us. May lofty Agni be my guide and shelter, ready to hear our call, the good Protector.

⁵⁰Ye, Waters, are beneficent, so help ye us to energy That we may look on great delight.

⁵¹Give us a portion of the sap, the most propitious that ye have. Like mothers in their longing love.

⁵²To you we gladly come for him to whose abode ye lead us on: And, Waters, give us procreant strength.

⁵³Mitra, having commingled earth and ground together with the light For health to creatures mix I thee Omniscient and nobly born.

⁵⁴The Rudras, having mixed the earth, set all aglow the lofty light. Bright and perpetual their light verily shines among the Gods.

⁵⁵The lump of clay that hath been mixed by Vasus, Rudras, by the wise, May Sinîvâlî with her hands soften and fit it for the work.

⁵⁶May Sinîvâlî with fair braids, with beauteous crest, with lovely locks, May she, O mighty Aditi, bestow the Fire-pan in thy hands.

⁵⁷Aditi shape the Fire-pan with her power, her arms, her intellect, And in her womb bear Agni as a mother, in her lap, her son.

⁵⁸With Gâyatrî, like Angiras the Vasus form and fashion thee! Stedfast art then, thou art the Earth. Establish in me progeny, command of cattle, growth of wealth, kinsmen for me the worshipper. With Trishtup may the Rudras, like Angiras, form and fashion thee. Stedfast art thou, thou art the Air. Establish in me, etc., as above. With Jagatî, like Angiras, Âdityas form and fashion thee! Stedfast art thou, thou art the Sky. Establish in me, etc. Friends of all men, the All-Gods with Anushtup form thee Angiras-like. Stedfast art thou, thou art the Quarters. Establish in me, etc.

⁵⁹The zone of Aditi art thou. Aditi seize thy hollow space. She, having made the great Fire-pan, a womb for Agni, formed of clay, Aditi, gave it to her Sons and, Let them bake it, were her words.

⁶⁰The Vasus make thee fragrant, as Angiras did, with Gâyatrî! The Rudras make thee fragrant with the Trishtup, as did Angiras! With Gâyatrî, like Angiras, may the Âdityas perfume thee. Dear to all men, may the All-Gods with the Anushtup sweeten thee, as Angiras was wont to do. May Indra make thee odorous. May Varuna make thee odorous. May Vishnu make thee odorous.

⁶¹Pit! Angiras-like may Aditi the Goddess, beloved by all Gods, dig thee in Earth's bosom. Pan! Angiras-like may the Gods’ heavenly Consorts, dear to all Gads, in the Earth's bosom place thee. Pan! Angiras-like may Dhishanâs, Divine Ones, dear to alt Gods, in the Earth's bosom light thee. Pan! Angiras-like may the divine Varûtrîs, dear to all Gods, in the earth's bosom heat thee, Pan! Angiras-like may the celestial Ladies, dear to all Gods, in the earth's bosom bake thee. Angiras-like may the celestial Matrons, beloved by all the Gods, with unclipped pinions, within the lap of Earth, O Fire pan, bake thee.

⁶²The gainful grace of Mitra, God, supporter of the race of man, Is glorious, of most wondrous fame.

⁶³With lovely arms, with lovely hands, with lovely fingers may the God Savitar make thee clean, yea, by the power be hath. Not trembling on the earth fill thou the regions, fill the Quarters full.

⁶⁴Having arisen wax thou great, yea, stand thou up immovable. To thee, O Mitra, I entrust this Fire-pan for security. May it remain without a break.

⁶⁵Thee may the Vasus, Angiras-like, fill with the metre Gâyatrî. Thee may the Rudras, Angiras-like, fill with the Trishtup metre full. Thee may Âdityas, Angiras-like, fill with the metre Jagatî. With the Anushtup metre may the All-Gods, dear to all men, fill thee full, as Angiras was wont.

⁶⁶Intention, Agni. Motive, Hail! Mind, Wisdom, Agni, Motive, Hail! Thought, Knowledge, Agni, Motive, Hail! Rule of Speech, Agni, Motive, Hail! To Manu Lord of creatures, Hail! To Agni dear to all men, Hail!

⁶⁷May every mortal man elect the friendship of the guiding God. Each one solicits him for wealth: let him seek fame to prosper him. All-hail!

⁶⁸Break not, nor suffer any harm. Endure, O Mother, and be brave; This work will thou and Agni do.

⁶⁹Be firm for weal, O Goddess Earth. Made in the wonted manner thou Art a celestial design. Acceptable to Gods he this oblation. Arise thou in this sacrifice uninjured.

⁷⁰Wood-fed, bedewed with sacred oil, ancient, Invoker, excellent, The Son of Strength, the Wonderful.

⁷¹Abandoning the foeman's host, pass hither to this company: Assist the men with whom I stand.

⁷²From the remotest distance come, Lord of the Red Steeds, hitherward. Do thou Purîshya, Agni, loved of many, overcome our foes.

⁷³O Agni, whatsoever be the fuel that we lay on thee, May that he butter unto thee. Be pleased therewith, Most Youthful God.

⁷⁴That which the termite eats away, that over which the emmet crawls— Butter be all of this to thee. Be pleased therewith, Most Youthful God.

⁷⁵Bringing to him, with care unceasing, fodder day after day as to a stabled courser, Joying in food and in the growth of riches, may we thy neighbours, Agni, ne’er be injured.

⁷⁶While on earth's navel Agni is enkindled, we call, for ample increase of our riches, On Agni joying in the draught, much-lauded, worshipful; victor conquering in battle.

⁷⁷Whatever hosts there are, fiercely assailant, charging in lengthened lines, drawn up in order, Whatever thieves there are, whatever robbers, all these I cast into thy mouth, O Agni.

⁷⁸Devour the burglars with both tusks, destroy the robbers with thy teeth. With both thy jaws, thou Holy One, eat up those thieves well champed and chewed.

⁷⁹The burglars living among men, the thieves and robbers in the wood, Criminals lurking in their lairs, these do I lay between thy jaws.

⁸⁰Him who would seek to injure us, the man who looks oh us with hate Turn thou to ashes, and the man who slanders and would injure us.

⁸¹Quickened is this my priestly rank, quickened is manly strength and force, Quickened is his victorious power of whom I am the Household priest.

⁸²The arms of these men have I raised, have raised their lustre and their strength With priestly power I ruin foes and lift my friends to high estate.

⁸³A share of food, O Lord of Food, vouchsafe us, invigorating food that brings no sickness. Onward, still onward lead the giver. Grant us maintenance both for quadruped and biped.