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

HYMN 77

Rishi: GOTAMA Deity: AGNI

1. How shall we make our due offerings to Agni? What praise, dear to the Gods, is chanted to the luminous one who is Truth-possessing, immortal among the mortals. Summoner, superb sacrificer, he fashions the Gods (in the sacrificer).

2. With obeisances, fashion ye, him (Agni) who facilitates the journey, possesses the Truth, invoker; for when Agni brings³⁸

3. Of active will, powerful, achiever, friend-like, is the charioteer of the Wonderful. Him do men who strive for Agni, desiring the Gods, hymn first in sacrifices.

4. May Agni, most strong among the strong, swallower of the hurters, activate³⁹

5. Thus hath Agni, knower of all things born, been hymned by the illumined Gotamas. And he nourishes in them luminous strength, increases their affluence. Knowing all, he is pleased.

Sri Aurobindo’s rendering of this hymn:

1. How shall we give to Agni? For him what Word accepted by the Gods is spoken, for the lord of the brilliant flame? For him who in mortals, immortal, possessed of the Truth, priest of the oblation strongest for sacrifice, creates the gods?

2. He who in the sacrifices is the priest of the offering, full of peace, full of the Truth, him verily form in you by your surrenderings when Agni manifests⁴⁰

3. For he is the will, he is the strength, he is the effecter of perfection, even as Mitra he becomes the charioteer of the Supreme. To him, the first, in the rich-offerings the people seeking the godhead utter the word, the Aryan people to the fulfiller.

4. May this strongest of the Powers and devourer of the destroyers manifest⁴¹

5. Thus has Agni, possessed of the Truth, been affirmed by the masters of lights⁴²