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104
VEDIC HYMNS.
III. 7. Bless us, O Agni, with thy blessings, when our Gâyatra song is brought forward (to thee), thou to whom reverence is due in all our prayers.
8. Bring us wealth, O Agni, which may be always conquering, excellent and invincible 1 in all battles.
9. Bestow on us, Agni, through thy kindness 1 wealth which may last all our life, and have mercy: on us that we may live.
IV. 10. O Gotama, bring forward purified words, bring songs to the sharp-flaming Agni, desirous of his favour.
11. May he who tries to harm us, whether nigh or afar, fall down. Do thou lead us alone to increase.
12. The thousand-eyed Agni, who dwells among all tribes, scares away the Rakshas. The praiseworthy Hotri (Agni) is praised 1.
NOTES. The same Rishi. Metre, 1-3 Trishtubh ; 4-6 Ushnih ; 7-12 Gayatrî.
What in the traditional text is one hymn, consists really of four independent hymns of three verses each. This is to be concluded from the well-known laws of arrangement of the Samhita, and is confirmed by the change of metre and by the reception of two of the four hymns into other Vedic Samhitâs: the second (verses 4-6) is found in the Såma-veda II, 911-913; Våg. Samhitå XV, 35-37; Taitt.
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