Religion
Sama Veda I.2.1.1: Agni
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1895) · From Hymns of the Samaveda (1895)
1. Agni, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift,
As in the keeping of the great inciting God.
2. To Agni, to the Hotar-priest offer your best, your lofty speech,
To him ordainer-like who bears the light of songs.
3. O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, thou Son of Strength,
Bestow on us, O Jatavedas, high renown
4. Most skilled in sacrifice, bring the Gods, O Agni, to the pious, man:
A joyful Priest, thy splendour drives our foes afar
5. Taught by seven mothers at his birth was he, for glory of the wise.
He, firm and sure, hath set his mind on glorious wealth
6. And in the day our prayer is this: May Aditi come nigh to help,
With loving-kindness bring us weal and chase our foes
7. Worship thou Jatavedas, pray to him who willingly accepts,
Whose smoke wanders at will, and none may grasp his flame
8. No mortal man can e'er prevail by arts of magic over him
Who hath served Agni well, the oblation-giving God.
9. Agni, drive thou the wicked foe, the evil-hearted thief away,
Far, far, Lord of the brave! and give us easy paths!
10. O hero Agni, Lord of men, on hearing this new laud of mine
Burn down the Rakshasas, enchanters, with thy flame!
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Sama. “Sama Veda I.2.1.1: Agni.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/samaveda-rishis/10/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Sama. “Sama Veda I.2.1.1: Agni.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/samaveda-rishis/10/.
Read this poem with the Codex →
More by The Rishis of the Sama Veda
- Sama Veda I.3.1.4: Indra
- Sama Veda II.2.1.11: Flow onward, mighty with thy stream, inspiriting the
- Sama Veda II.4.1.18: Effused is he who brings good things, who
- Sama Veda II.6.2.17: The three-times seven milch-kine in the loftiest heaven
- Sama Veda II.8.2.6: Let none, no, not thy worshippers, delay thee