RV 36

1 WITH words sent forth in holy hymns, Agni we supplicate, the Lord Of 2 Men have won Agni, him who makes their strength abound: we, with oblations, worship thee. 3 Thee for our messenger we choose, thee, the Omniscient, for our Priest. 4 The Gods enkindle thee their ancient messenger, − Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman. 5 Thou, Agni, art a cheering Priest, Lord of the House, men's messenger: 6 In thee, the auspicious One, O Agni, youthfullest, each sacred gift is offered up: 7 To him in his own splendour bright draw near in worship the devout. 8 Vrtra they smote and slew, and made the earth and heaven and firmament a wide abode. 9 Seat thee, for thou art mighty; shine, best entertainer of the Gods. 10 Bearer of offerings, whom, best sacrificing Priest, the Gods for Manu's sake ordained; 11 Him, Agni, whom Medhyatithi, whom Kanva kindled for his rite, 12 Make our wealth perfect thou, O Agni, Lord divine: for thou hast kinship with the Gods. 13 Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like Savitar the God: 14 Erect, preserve us from sore trouble; with thy flame burn thou each ravening demon dead. 15 Preserve us, Agni, from the fiend, preserve us from malicious wrong. 16 Smite down as with a club, thou who hast fire for teeth, smite thou the wicked, right and left. 17 Agni hath given heroic might to Kainva, and felicity: 18 We call on Ugradeva, Yadu, Turvasa, by means of Agni, from afar; 19 Manu hath stablished thee a light, Agni, for all the race of men: 20 The flames of Agni full of splendour and of might are fearful, not to be approached.