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MANDALA IV, HYMN 3.
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MANDALA IV, HYMN 3.
ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 4, VARGA 20-22.
1. Draw Rudra hither for your protection', the king of sacrifice, the truly sacrificing Hotri of the two worlds, the golden-coloured Agni, before the unseen thunderbolt (strikes you).
2. This is the home which we have prepared for thee as a well-dressed, loving wife (prepares the marriage-bed) for her husband1. Directed hitherward, dressed (in offerings and prayers?)2 sit down. These (sacrificial ladles or prayers?) are turned towards thee, O most skilful one 3 !
3. To him who hears us, who is not proud, who beholds men, to the merciful, immortal god recite a prayer, O worshipper, a hymn-(to Agni) whom the presser (of Soma), the Madhu-presser, magnifies like the pressing-stone'.
4. Thou who art well-intentioned, give heed to this our toiling1, to this Rita, O observer of Rita! When will our hymns share in thy rejoicings? When will our friendship dwell in thy house?
5. How wilt thou, O Agni, before Varuna, and how wilt thou, and which sin of ours wilt thou blame before Dyaus? How wilt thou speak to bountiful Mitra, to the Earth? What (wilt thou say) to Aryaman, to Bhaga?
6. What wilt thou say, O Agni, when thou hast grown strong on the Dhishnya altars1? What to strong Vâta who goes forward in triumph 2? To the Nâsatya who goes round the earth, to... ...? What, O Agni, to Rudra, the man-killer?
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