Rig-Veda, Book 5: HYMN IX. Agni

1. BEARING; oblations mortal men, O Agni, worship thee the God. I deem thee Jātavedas: bear our offerings, thou, unceasingly. 2 In the man's home who offers gifts, where grass is trimmed, Agni is Priest, To whom all sacrifices come and strengthenings that win renown. 3 Whom, as an infant newly-born, the kindling-sticks have brought to life, Sustainer of the tribes of men, skilled in well-ordered sacrifice. 4 Yea, very hard art thou to grasp, like offspring of the wriggling snakes, When thou consumest many woods like an ox, Agni, in the mead. 5 Whose flames, when thou art sending forth the smoke, completely reach the mark, When Tṛta in the height of heaven, like as a smelter fanneth thee, e’en as a smelter sharpeneth thee. 6 O Agni, by thy succour and by Mitra's friendly furtherance, May we, averting hate, subdue the wickedness of mortal men. 7 O Agni, to our heroes bring such riches, thou victorious God. May he protect and nourish us, and help in gaining strength: be thou near us in fight for our success.