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VEDIC HYMNS.
therefore conduct hither speedily, much-invoked Agni, the provident gods
8. Savitri, the Dawn, the two Asvins, Bhaga, Agni?, at the dawning (of the day), (at the end) of night?. The Kanvas, having pressed Soma, inflame thee, the bearer of sacrificial food, O best performer of worship.
9. As thou, O Agni, art the lord of worship, the messenger of the clans, conduct hither to-day the gods awakening with the dawn, of sun-like aspect, that they may drink Soma.
10. Agni, rich in splendour! thou hast shone after the former dawns, visible to all. Thou art the guardian in the hamlets, the Purohita ; thou belongest to men at the sacrifices !
11. O Agni, let us put thee down (on the altar) as Manus did, O god, to be the performer of the sacrifice, the Hotri, the wise priest, the quick immortal messenger.
12. When thou, the Purohita of the gods, who art great like Mitra, goest on thy errand as messenger in their midst, then the flames of Agni shine like the roaring waves of the Sindhu'.
13. Agni with thy attentive ears, hear me, together with the gods driven (on their chariots)' who accompany thee. May Mitra and Aryaman sit down on the sacrificial grass, they who come to the ceremony early in the morning.
14. May the Maruts, they who give rain, the firetongued increasers of Rita, hear my praise. May Varuna, whose laws are firm, drink the Somna, united with the two Asvins and with the Dawn !
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