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354
VEDIC HYMNS.
MANDALA IV, HYMN 12.
ASHTAKA III, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 12.
1. May the man who holds the sacrificial ladle and kindles thee, O Agni, who thrice prepares food for thee on this day, victoriously overcome (his foes) through his lustre, wise through the power of thy mind, O Gåtavedas.
21. He who toiling brings fuel to thee, doing service to thy, the great (god's) face, O Agni, kindling thee at evening and at dawn-he prospers, obtains wealth, and destroys his enemies.
3. Agni is master of mighty royal power'; Agni (is master) of gain, of the highest wealth. He, the youngest, self-dependent (god) in the right way distributes treasures to the mortal worshipper.
4. Whatever sin, O youngest (god), we have committed against thee in thoughtlessness, men as we are?, make thou us sinless before Aditi ; release us from (every) guilt on all sides, O Agni!
5. Even from great guilt, О Agni, from the prison of gods and of mortals—let us, thy friends, never be harmed; grant luck and weal to kith and kin.
61. As you formerly have released, O Vasus, the buffalo cow bound by the foot, O worshipful gods, thus take away from us this distress. May, O Agni, our life be further prolonged.
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