Translations of Rig Veda Suktas 33-121 by M.P. Pandit

HYMN 58

Rishi: GOUTAMA NODHASA Deity: AGNI

1. Son of strength, immortal, moves swift when he, the summoner, is the messenger of the Light. He builds the mid-world on excellent pathways and with the oblations he brings forth the Gods to light.

Though the mid-world (between earth and heaven) exists already in the universe, Agni forms for the Yajamana his life-world, source of the Waters. This is the second creation with reference to the Yajamana.

2. Ageless, assimilating his food offered (by the Yajamana), he grows rapidly and flames in the dry (fuel). Of him who has consumed (the fuel) the rear glows like a fleeting (steed); then does he roar like the reverberating summit of heaven.

Those parts in the being of the Yajamana which are ripe are the fuel. With the ascent of Agni, in the inner sacrifice, these manifestations take place.

3. Performing (his functions), worshipped by the Rudras and Vasus, invoker (of the Gods), seated, lord of riches, the God immortal (Agni), praised by his worshippers, like a chariot among men, accepts the choice, uninterrupted offerings.

4. Impelled by wind, loud of voice, he spreads easily with his penetrating tongues (of flame) in the wood. O Agni, when fiercely blazing, undecaying, thou rushest like a bull to the trees, black is thy course.

Impelled by the life-force (prana), roaring Agni blazes in the fuel, bright with darkness-dispelling lustre. When he displays his prowess to the worshippers avid of felicity, he is specially glowing. But his path through the darkness is black; the new path is yet to be hewn.

5. Impelled by the life-force, flame-mouthed Agni, overcoming obstructions to enjoyment, goes forward like a happy-gaited bull among Cows. He rushes with strength to the undecaying mid-world, the moving and the unmoving quake as he flies along.

6. The Bhrigus established thee among men, O Agni, like cherished wealth, for attaining to divinity, thou who sacrificest for men, invoker, welcome guest, felicitous like an honoured friend.

Like the Angirasas the Bhrigus too are both human and divine. The divine Angirasas are born of the flames of Agni; the supporting Bhrigus are rays of the sun. The connection of both with Agni is established in the human sacrificer. Obtaining the solar wealth, the great Rishis - rays of the supreme Sun or of Truth-Consciousness - establish Agni, like priceless treasure, in men for attainment of divinity.

7. I worship in adoration Agni whom the seven invoking priests elect as the summoner, the most worthy of worship in sacrifices, him who approaches all riches. And I attain felicity.

If God Agni is the Yajamana’s most worthy of worship, then the invoking priests also become Gods. The seven invokers are the Gods presiding over the seven principles, seven worlds.

8. O Agni, Son of Strength, with friendly lustre, grant us, thy worshippers, faultless felicities. O Son of lofty Strength, him who lauds thee protect from evil with guards of iron.

9. Luminous one, be a shelter to thy worshipper. Wealthy one, yield happiness to worshippers endowed with riches. Guard, O Agni, thy worshipper from evil. May Agni, rich in thought, come quick to the worshipper in the morning