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186
VEDIC HYMNS.
MANDALA II, HYMN 1.
ASHTAKA II, ADHYAYA 5, VARGA 17-19.
1? Thou, O Agni, the faming one, (art born) from out the Heavens”, thou (art born) from out the Waters and the stone (the fint); thou (art born) from out the forests and the herbs; thou art born bright, O Lord of men, (as belonging) to men.
21. To thee, O Agni, belongs the Hotri's and the Potri's office exercised at the appointed season ; to thee belongs the office of the Neshtri; thou art the Agnidh ? for the righteous. To thee belongs the office of the Prasastri; thou actest as an Adhvaryu, and thou art the Brahman and the master of the house in our houses
31. Thou, O Agni, art Indra, a bull among (all) beings. Thou art the wide-ruling Vishnu, worthy of adoration. Thou art the Brahman, a gainer of wealth, O Brahmanaspatia. Thou, O Vidhartri (i.e. who keepest asunder all things), art united with Puramdhi (or the Liberality of the gods) 3.
4. Thou, O Agni, art the king Karuna whose laws are firm; thou becomest Mitra, the wondrous one, worthy of being magnified. Thou art Aryaman, the lord of beings, whom I may enjoy? Thou, O god, art Amsa ?, desirous of distributing (goods) in the assembly 3
5. Thou, O Agni, being Tvashtri, (grantest) to thy worshipper abundance in heroes. To thee, who art accompanied by the (divine) wives?, who art great like Mitra, belongs relationship? Thou,
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