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MANDALA III, HYMN 17.
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MANDALA III, HYMN 17. ASHTAKA III, ADHYÅYA 1, VARGA 17.
1. He who is inflamed after the primitive ordinances, is anointed with ointments, the giver of all treasures, he whose hair is flame, whose stately robe is ghee, the purifier, skilled in sacrifice, Agni—that he may sacrifice to the gods.
2. As thou hast performed, O Agni, the Hotri's duty for the Earth, as thou hast done it for Heaven, O Gâtavedas, full of intelligence, in the same way sacrifice with this offering to the gods. Prosper this sacrifice to-day as thou hast done for Manus.
3. Thou hast three lives, O Gâtavedas, and three births from the Dawn", O Agni! Being wise, sacrifice with these to the favour of the gods, and bring luck and welfare to the sacrificer.
4. Praising Agni full of splendour, full of beauty, we adore thee, O Gâtavedas, deserving to be magnified. Thee the gods have made their messenger, their steward', and carrier of offerings, the navel of immortality.
5. O Agni, the Hotri who before thee was an excellent sacrificer, who verily' sat down and brought luck by himself? : sacrifice according to his rules, O intelligent one, and set down our sacrifice at the feast of the gods.
NOTES. The Rishi is Kata Vaisvamitra, the metre Trishtubh.Verse 1 = TB. I, 2, 1, 10. Verse 3 = TB. III, 2, 11, 2;
T 2
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