5. Adhyāya 5 — Somayāga
Mantras 1–10
5.1
अग्नेस् तनूर् असि विष्णवे त्वा सोमस्य तनूर् असि विष्णवे त्वातिऽतिथेर् आतिथ्यम् असि विष्णवे श्येनाय त्वा सोमभृते विष्णवे त्वाऽग्नये त्वा रायस्पोषदे विष्णवे त्वा ॥
agnes tanūr asi viṣṇave tvā somasya tanūr asi viṣṇave tvāti'tither ātithyam asi viṣṇave śyenāya tvā somabhṛte viṣṇave tvā'gnaye tvā rāyaspoṣade viṣṇave tvā ॥
Yajna (Yajna materials), you are the body of fire (heat and electricity) dedicated to Vishnu for the completion of the noble act of service. You are the body of Soma (life-juice of the created phenomena) dedicated to Vishnu, for the purification of the air and the environment. You are the hospitality for the chancevisitor, dedicated to Vishnu for the attainment of knowledge. I do the yajna and offer the libations for Vishnu, for the ‘eagle’, fastest carrier of Soma to the Yajamana, for rapid advancement of the science and power of yajna. I offer the libations to the fire for the development of wealth and energy, for Vishnu, the powerful giver of virtue, for knowledge and the ability for action.
5.2
अग्नेर् जनित्रम् असि ।
वृषणौ स्थः ।
ऽउर्वश्य् असि ।
आयुर् असि ।
ऽ पुरूरवा असि ।
गायत्रेण त्वा छन्दसा मन्थामि ।
त्रैष्टुभेन त्वा छन्दसा मन्थामि ।
जागतेन त्वा छन्दसा मन्थामि ॥
agner janitram asi ।
vṛṣaṇau sthaḥ ।
'urvaśy asi ।
āyur asi ।
' purūravā asi ।
gāyatreṇa tvā chandasā manthāmi ।
traiṣṭubhena tvā chandasā manthāmi ।
jāgatena tvā chandasā manthāmi ॥
Yajna (yajna materials), you are the birth-place of fire, source power of fire-arms. You are the food of the cosmic agents of rain, air and the sun. You are the producer and provider of various comforts of life. You are the secret of the knowledge of the Shastras through learned gatherings. I refine and kindle the fire with the inspiring chant of the Gayatri verses. I invigorate you and raise the fire with the exhilarating chant of the Trishtubh verses. I boost you and rouse the fire with the ecstatic chant of the jagati verses.
5.3
भवतं नः समनसौ सचेतसाव् अरेपसौ ।
मा यज्ञꣳ हिꣳसिष्टं मा यज्ञपतिं जातवेदसौ शिवौ भवतम् अद्य नः ॥
bhavataṃ naḥ samanasau sacetasāv arepasau ।
mā yajñaṁ hiṁsiṣṭaṃ mā yajñapatiṃ jātavedasau śivau bhavatam adya naḥ ॥
May the teacher and the disciple of the science of yajna be of equal mind in teaching and learning, harmonious in knowledge and instructions, gentle and free from coarseness in manners and communication. May these two devotees of the fire of yajna be auspicious harbingers of peace and happiness for us. May they not disturb or ruin the yajna. May they not hurt the yajnapati.
5.4
अग्नाव् अग्निश् चरति प्रविष्ट ऽ ऋषीणां पुत्रो ऽअभिशस्तिपावा ।
स नः स्योनः सुयजा यजेह देवेभ्यो हव्यꣳ सदम् अप्रयुच्छन्त् स्वाहा ॥
agnāv agniś carati praviṣṭa ' ṛṣīṇāṃ putro 'abhiśastipāvā ।
sa naḥ syonaḥ suyajā yajeha devebhyo havyaṁ sadam aprayucchant svāhā ॥
5.5
आपतये त्वा परिपतये गृह्णामि तनूनप्त्र्ये शाक्वराय शक्वन ऽ ओजिष्ठाय ।
अनाधृष्टम् अस्य् अनाधृष्यं देवानाम् ओजो ऽनभिशस्त्य् अभिशस्तिपा ऽ अनभिशस्तेन्यम् अञ्जसा सत्यम् उप गेषꣳ स्विते मा धाः ॥
āpataye tvā paripataye gṛhṇāmi tanūnaptrye śākvarāya śakvana ' ojiṣṭhāya ।
anādhṛṣṭam asy anādhṛṣyaṃ devānām ojo 'nabhiśasty abhiśastipā ' anabhiśastenyam añjasā satyam upa geṣaṁ svite mā dhāḥ ॥
5.6
अग्ने व्रतपास् त्वे व्रतपा या तव तनूर् इयꣳ सा मयि यो मम तनूर् एषा सा त्वयि ।
सह नौ व्रतपते व्रतान्य् अनु मे दीक्षां दीक्षापतिर् मन्यताम् अनु तपस् तपस्पतिः ॥
agne vratapās tve vratapā yā tava tanūr iyaṁ sā mayi yo mama tanūr eṣā sā tvayi ।
saha nau vratapate vratāny anu me dīkṣāṃ dīkṣāpatir manyatām anu tapas tapaspatiḥ ॥
Agni, Lord/Power of light and energy, omnipresent protector and keeper of the vows of discipline, I take the vow of discipline and study and come in to you. This presence of yours is in me, and the same presence in me is in you. You and I are together, the preceptor and the disciple are together. Lord protector of the vows of discipline and pursuit, Lord of commitment and consecration, Lord of fire and relentless exercise of discipline, recognize and permit our vow of discipline and study, approve and consecrate my commitment, accept and bless my dedication and pursuit of the undertaking and programme.
5.7
अꣳशुर्-अꣳशुष्टे देव सोमाप्यायताम् इन्द्रायैकधनविदे ।
आ तुभ्यम् इन्द्रः प्यायताम् आ त्वम् इन्द्राय प्यायस्व ।
आ प्याययास्मान्त् सखीन्त् सन्या मेधया स्वस्ति ते देव सोम सुत्याम् अशीय ।
एष्टा रायः प्रेषे भगाय ऋतम् ऋतवादिभ्यो नमो द्यावापृथिवीभ्याम् ॥
aṁśur-aṁśuṣṭe deva somāpyāyatām indrāyaikadhanavide ।
ā tubhyam indraḥ pyāyatām ā tvam indrāya pyāyasva ।
ā pyāyayāsmānt sakhīnt sanyā medhayā svasti te deva soma sutyām aśīya ।
eṣṭā rāyaḥ preṣe bhagāya ṛtam ṛtavādibhyo namo dyāvāpṛthivībhyām ॥
5.8
या ते ऽ अग्ने ऽयःशया तनूर् वर्षिष्ठा गह्वरेष्ठा ।
उग्रं वचोऽअपावधीत् त्वेषं वचो ऽ अपावधीत् स्वाहा ।
या ते ऽ अग्ने रजःशया तनूर् वर्षिष्ठा गह्वरेष्ठा ।
उग्रं वचो ऽ अपावधीत् त्वेषं वचो ऽ अपावधीत् स्वाहा ।
या ते अग्ने हरिशया तनूर् वर्षिष्ठा गह्वरेष्ठा ।
उग्रं वचो ऽ अपावधीत् त्वेषं वचो ऽ अपावधीत् स्वाहा ॥
yā te ' agne 'yaḥśayā tanūr varṣiṣṭhā gahvareṣṭhā ।
ugraṃ vaco'apāvadhīt tveṣaṃ vaco ' apāvadhīt svāhā ।
yā te ' agne rajaḥśayā tanūr varṣiṣṭhā gahvareṣṭhā ।
ugraṃ vaco ' apāvadhīt tveṣaṃ vaco ' apāvadhīt svāhā ।
yā te agne hariśayā tanūr varṣiṣṭhā gahvareṣṭhā ।
ugraṃ vaco ' apāvadhīt tveṣaṃ vaco ' apāvadhīt svāhā ॥
Agni, Lord of fire and speech, your presence (in the devotee), silent but potential as in the metals of the earth, generous and deep in the caverns of the mind, defeats the cruellest and most fearsome words of the opponent. Your presence (in the devotee), loud and powerful as in the air and waters of the sky, generous and deep as in the caverns of the clouds, defeats the strongest and most passionate words of the opponent. Your presence (in the devotee), clear and brilliant as in the rays of light, generous and deep as in the implosions of the sun, overwhelms the most brilliant and most formidable speech of the opponent. This is the voice of nature. This is the voice of the Veda. This is the voice of the Divine.
5.9
तप्तायनी मे ऽसि ।
वित्तायनी मे ऽसि ।
अवतान् मा नाथितात् ।
अवतान् मा व्यथितात् ।
विदेद् अग्निर् नभो नाम ।
अग्ने ऽ अङ्गिर ऽ आयुना नाम्नेहि ।
योऽस्यां पृथिव्याम् असि यत् तेऽनाधृष्टं नाम यज्ञियं तेन त्वा दधे ।
विदेद् अग्निर् नभो नाम ।
अग्ने ऽ अङ्गिर ऽ आयुना नाम्नेहि ।
यो द्वितीयस्यां पृथिव्याम् असि यत् तेऽनाधृष्टं नाम यज्ञियं तेन त्वा दधे ।
विदेद् अग्निर् नभो नाम ।
अग्नेऽअङ्गिर ऽ आयुना नाम्नेहि ।
यस् तृतीयस्यां पृथिव्याम् असि यत् ते ऽनाधृष्टं नाम यज्ञियं तेन त्वा दधे ।
अनु त्वा देववीतये ॥
taptāyanī me 'si ।
vittāyanī me 'si ।
avatān mā nāthitāt ।
avatān mā vyathitāt ।
vided agnir nabho nāma ।
agne ' aṅgira ' āyunā nāmnehi ।
yo'syāṃ pṛthivyām asi yat te'nādhṛṣṭaṃ nāma yajñiyaṃ tena tvā dadhe ।
vided agnir nabho nāma ।
agne ' aṅgira ' āyunā nāmnehi ।
yo dvitīyasyāṃ pṛthivyām asi yat te'nādhṛṣṭaṃ nāma yajñiyaṃ tena tvā dadhe ।
vided agnir nabho nāma ।
agne'aṅgira ' āyunā nāmnehi ।
yas tṛtīyasyāṃ pṛthivyām asi yat te 'nādhṛṣṭaṃ nāma yajñiyaṃ tena tvā dadhe ।
anu tvā devavītaye ॥
5.10
सिꣳह्य् असि सपत्नसाही देवेभ्यः कल्पस्व ।
सिꣳह्य् असि सपत्नसाही देवेभ्यः शुन्धस्व ।
सिꣳह्य् असि सपत्नसाही देवेभ्यः शुम्भस्व ॥
siṁhy asi sapatnasāhī devebhyaḥ kalpasva ।
siṁhy asi sapatnasāhī devebhyaḥ śundhasva ।
siṁhy asi sapatnasāhī devebhyaḥ śumbhasva ॥
Speech is powerful, as powerful as a lioness. Develop it for the good people so that they can face a rival and prevail. Purify it so that the noble people can resist an adversary and defeat him. Beautify it so that the holy people can fight out the enemy and win over darkness and evil.
Mantras 11–20
5.11
इन्द्रघोषस् त्वा वसुभिः पुरस्तात् पातु ।
प्रचेतास् त्वा रुद्रैः पश्चात् पातु ।
मनोजवास् त्वा पितृभिर् दक्षिणतः पातु ।
विश्वकर्मा त्वादित्यैर् उत्तरतः पातु ।
इदम् अहं तप्तं वार् बहिर्धा यज्ञान् निः सृजामि ॥
indraghoṣas tvā vasubhiḥ purastāt pātu ।
pracetās tvā rudraiḥ paścāt pātu ।
manojavās tvā pitṛbhir dakṣiṇataḥ pātu ।
viśvakarmā tvādityair uttarataḥ pātu ।
idam ahaṃ taptaṃ vār bahirdhā yajñān niḥ sṛjāmi ॥
(Speech is a sacred trust to be developed and preserved.) The voice of the Divine Power, Veda, and the scholars of the Veda, with the observation of the external world of the Vasus such as the earth and work of the ‘vasu’ scholars of 24 years standing may develop the language of science from the front, taking it forward. Pracheta, the man of awareness and illumination, with insight into the internal world of the pranas and the spirit
5.12
सिꣳह्य् असि स्वाहा ।
सिꣳह्य् अस्य् आदित्यवनिः स्वाहा ।
सिꣳह्य् असि ब्रह्मवनिः क्षत्रवनिः स्वाहा ।
सिꣳह्य् असि सुप्रजावनी रायस्पोषवनिः स्वाहा ।
सिꣳह्य् अस्य् आवह देवान् यजमानाय स्वाहा ।
भूतेभ्यस् त्वा ॥
siṁhy asi svāhā ।
siṁhy asy ādityavaniḥ svāhā ।
siṁhy asi brahmavaniḥ kṣatravaniḥ svāhā ।
siṁhy asi suprajāvanī rāyaspoṣavaniḥ svāhā ।
siṁhy asy āvaha devān yajamānāya svāhā ।
bhūtebhyas tvā ॥
Language is sacred and it is power. It is the treasure of science, science of the stars and light especially of the sun in the zodiacs. It is the language of the Veda and eliminates ignorance. It is the language of governance, administration and military science and fights out injustice and crime. It is the language of economics, commerce, finance and management and removes poverty and suffering. It is the language of social science and human welfare and eliminates anti-social forces. For the yajamana it brings spiritual knowledge and noble virtues. I serve and develop this noble language through yajna for the enlightenment and happiness of all the living beings.
5.13
ध्रुवो ऽसि पृथिवीं दृꣳह ।
ध्रुवक्षिद् अस्य् अन्तरिक्षं दृꣳह ।
अच्युतक्षिद् असि दिवं दृꣳह ।
अग्नेः पुरीषम् असि ॥
dhruvo 'si pṛthivīṃ dṛṁha ।
dhruvakṣid asy antarikṣaṃ dṛṁha ।
acyutakṣid asi divaṃ dṛṁha ।
agneḥ purīṣam asi ॥
Yajna is firm and immovable, the centre of movement. It develops the earth and enriches its wealth. Develop yajna. It is the treasure-home of knowledge and prosperity. It expands the sky and increases its wealth and waters. Develop yajna. It is the seat of indestructible wealth. It expands radiation of light and energy from the regions of the sun and brings the light of knowledge. It supplements and sharpens the powers of nature. Develop yajna. Expand. Accelerate. Intensify. It is the completion, the finale.
5.14
युञ्जते मन ऽ उत युञ्जते धियो विप्रा विप्रस्य बृहतो विपश्चितः ।
वि होत्रा दधे वयुनाविद् एक ऽइन् मही देवस्य सवितुः परिष्टुतिः स्वाहा ॥
yuñjate mana ' uta yuñjate dhiyo viprā viprasya bṛhato vipaścitaḥ ।
vi hotrā dadhe vayunāvid eka 'in mahī devasya savituḥ pariṣṭutiḥ svāhā ॥
Great are the songs of celebration in praise of
5.15
इदं विष्णुर् विचक्रमे त्रेधा नि दधे पदम् ।
समूढम् अस्य पासुरे स्वाहा ॥
idaṃ viṣṇur vicakrame tredhā ni dadhe padam ।
samūḍham asya pāsure svāhā ॥
Vishnu, Lord omnipresent sustainer of this dynamic world, visible and invisible, created it in three fold order — earth (prithivi), skies (antariksha) and heaven (dyu), or sattva (mind), rajas (motion) and matter (tamas) — and, alongwith the mystery that it is, set it in space. This is the divine voice.
5.16
इरावती धेनुमती हि भूतꣳ सूयवसिनी मनवे दशस्या ।
व्यस्कभ्ना रोदसी विष्णव् एते दाधर्त्थ पृथिवीम् अभितो मयूखैः स्वाहा ॥
irāvatī dhenumatī hi bhūtaṁ sūyavasinī manave daśasyā ।
vyaskabhnā rodasī viṣṇav ete dādharttha pṛthivīm abhito mayūkhaiḥ svāhā ॥
The earth full of grain, rich in cows, covered with grass and greenery so pleasing to man, this earth with all her creatures held fast all round in orbit by the waves of gravitation, and the heaven above well-sustained in position, Vishnu, Lord immanent of the world, you maintain both of these and, of course, the divine word of the Veda.
5.17
देवश्रुतौ देवेष्व् आ घोषतम् ।
प्राची प्रेतम् अध्वरं कल्पयन्ती ऽ ऊर्ध्वं यज्ञं नयतं मा जिह्वरतम् ।
स्वं गोष्ठम् आ वदतं देवी दुर्ये ऽ आयुर् मा निर्वादिष्टं प्रजां मा निर्वादिष्टम् ।
अत्र रमेथां वर्ष्मन् पृथिव्याः ॥
devaśrutau deveṣv ā ghoṣatam ।
prācī pretam adhvaraṃ kalpayantī ' ūrdhvaṃ yajñaṃ nayataṃ mā jihvaratam ।
svaṃ goṣṭham ā vadataṃ devī durye ' āyur mā nirvādiṣṭaṃ prajāṃ mā nirvādiṣṭam ।
atra ramethāṃ varṣman pṛthivyāḥ ॥
Scholars well-versed in the science of yajna go forward to the noble people and proclaim that they strengthen and extend the yajna over the earth and to the sky so that they receive, like the two fold movements of prana and apana, the fragrance of the yajna of love and non-violence and send it onward to the heavens. Take the yajna high, never take it down. Pious men of virtue stay in their home and look after the cows fully well. Abuse not life. Revile not the people. Enjoy life on the earth under the showers of peace and joy.
5.18
विष्णोर् नु कं वीर्याणि प्र वोचं यः पार्थिवानि विममे रजाꣳसि ।
यो ऽ अस्कभायद् उत्तरꣳ सधस्थं विचक्रमाणस् त्रेधोरुगायः ।
विष्णवे त्वा ॥
viṣṇor nu kaṃ vīryāṇi pra vocaṃ yaḥ pārthivāni vimame rajāṁsi ।
yo ' askabhāyad uttaraṁ sadhasthaṃ vicakramāṇas tredhorugāyaḥ ।
viṣṇave tvā ॥
5.19
दिवो वा विष्ण ऽ उत वा पृथिव्या महो वा विष्णऽउरोरन्तरिक्षात् ।
उभा हि हस्ता वसुना पृणस्वा प्रयच्छ दक्षिणाद् ओत सव्यात् ।
विष्णवे त्वा ॥
divo vā viṣṇa ' uta vā pṛthivyā maho vā viṣṇa'urorantarikṣāt ।
ubhā hi hastā vasunā pṛṇasvā prayaccha dakṣiṇād ota savyāt ।
viṣṇave tvā ॥
Vishnu, Lord omnipresent of the universe, we worship you with yajna for the gifts of yajna. We pray: from the regions of heaven bless us with energy and light. From the vast sky and from the earth, and from the great womb of nature — the ‘mahat’ form of the creative mode — bless us and fill our life to the full with materials of joy and peace with both hands, from both sides, right and left.
5.20
प्र तद् विष्णु स्तवते वीर्येण मृगो न भीमः कुचरो गिरिष्ठाः ।
यस्योरुषु त्रिषु विक्रमणेष्व् अधिक्षियन्ति भुवनानि विश्वा ॥
pra tad viṣṇu stavate vīryeṇa mṛgo na bhīmaḥ kucaro giriṣṭhāḥ ।
yasyoruṣu triṣu vikramaṇeṣv adhikṣiyanti bhuvanāni viśvā ॥
Like an awful mountain lion that roams around in his sole majesty, Vishnu, the omnipresent Lord of tremendous power and glory rules the world and commands the homage of His creatures. All the regions of the world rest in the vast spaces of the three orders of His wonderful creation — the earth, the sky and the heavens.
Mantras 21–30
5.21
विष्णो रराटम् असि ।
विष्णोः श्नप्त्रे स्थः ।
विष्णोः स्यूर् असि ।
विष्णोर् ध्रुवो सि ।
वैष्णवम् असि विष्णवे त्वा ॥
viṣṇo rarāṭam asi ।
viṣṇoḥ śnaptre sthaḥ ।
viṣṇoḥ syūr asi ।
viṣṇor dhruvo si ।
vaiṣṇavam asi viṣṇave tvā ॥
The world is a manifestation of Vishnu’s glory at two levels of existence, the animate and the inanimate. The elements of existence have been integrated into form by the presence of Vishnu. The form is one, firm, inviolable and organismic. The world is divine, it belongs to Vishnu. It is yajna. It is for yajna in celebration of the maker.
5.22
देवस्य त्वा सवितुः प्रसवे ऽश्विनोर् बाहुभ्यां पूष्णो हस्ताभ्याम् ।
आ ददे नार्य् असि ।
इदम् अहꣳ रक्षसां ग्रीवा ऽ अपिकृन्तामि ।
बृहन्न् असि बृहद्रवा बृहतीम् इन्द्राय वाचं वद ॥
devasya tvā savituḥ prasave 'śvinor bāhubhyāṃ pūṣṇo hastābhyām ।
ā dade nāry asi ।
idam ahaṁ rakṣasāṃ grīvā ' apikṛntāmi ।
bṛhann asi bṛhadravā bṛhatīm indrāya vācaṃ vada ॥
In this world of Lord Savita’s creation and blessedness, with the double strength of Ashwini’s arms
5.23
रक्षोहणं वलगहनं वैष्णवीम् ।
इदम् अहं तं वलगम् उत् किरामि यं मे निष्ट्यो यम् अमात्यो निचखान ।
इदम् अहं तं वलगम् उत् किरामि यं मे समानो यम् असमानो निचखान ।
इदम् अहं तं वलगम् उत् किरामि यं मे सबन्धुर् यम् असबन्धुर् निचखान ।
इदम् अहं तं वलगम् उत् किरामि यं मे सजातो यम् असजातो निचखान ।
उत् कृत्यां किरामि ॥
rakṣohaṇaṃ valagahanaṃ vaiṣṇavīm ।
idam ahaṃ taṃ valagam ut kirāmi yaṃ me niṣṭyo yam amātyo nicakhāna ।
idam ahaṃ taṃ valagam ut kirāmi yaṃ me samāno yam asamāno nicakhāna ।
idam ahaṃ taṃ valagam ut kirāmi yaṃ me sabandhur yam asabandhur nicakhāna ।
idam ahaṃ taṃ valagam ut kirāmi yaṃ me sajāto yam asajāto nicakhāna ।
ut kṛtyāṃ kirāmi ॥
Just as I perform, refine and expand this yajna — an act that gathers strength, bestows strength of power, prosperity and happiness, and destroys negativity and evil, an act performed with the voice of the divine (Veda) for the divine — just as I do the yajna, you too do the same for advancement. What my dedicated friend or my chief assistant has done to dig up the vedi for knowledge of the earth, and as he has performed the yajna of research, so I do the act for enlightenment and you too do the same for progress. What my equal or my unequal has done and does in the field of education, the same I do for development and you too do the same for refinement. What the equal of my brother or the unequal of my brother has done and does for the advancement of the science of yajna, I do the same developmental act, and you too do the same — for expansion. What my brother, colleague or another higher or lower has done and does regularly for heightening the possibilities of yajna for the advancement of knowledge, prosperity and happiness, I do the same inspiring act and you too do the same for the higher life.
5.24
स्वराड् असि सपत्नहा ।
सत्रराड् अस्य् अभिमातिहा ।
जनराड् असि रक्षोहा ।
सर्वराड् अस्य् अमित्रहा ॥
svarāḍ asi sapatnahā ।
satrarāḍ asy abhimātihā ।
janarāḍ asi rakṣohā ।
sarvarāḍ asy amitrahā ॥
You are self-disciplined, self-luminous, free, able to defeat the rivals. You are ruled by the sessions of the community-yajna; you shine in the community sessions and you suppress the proud. You are ruled by the people, you shine among the people, and you eliminate the wicked. You are ruled by all, you shine among all and you win over those who are not your friends. You are the individual, self-disciplined, self-enlightened, free, able to defeat the rivals. You are the community, autonomous, enlightened, able to keep down the insidious. You are the nation, governed by the people,
5.25
रक्षोहणो वो वलगहनः प्रोक्षामि वैष्णवान् ।
रक्षोहणो वो वलगहनो ऽव नयामि वैष्णवान् ।
रक्षोहणो वो वलगहनो ऽव स्तृणामि वैष्णवान् ।
रक्षोहणौ वां वलगहना ऽ उप दधामि वैष्णवी ।
रक्षोहणौ वां वलगहनौ पर्य् ऊहामि वैष्णवी ।
वैष्णवम् असि ।
वैष्णवा स्थ ॥
rakṣohaṇo vo valagahanaḥ prokṣāmi vaiṣṇavān ।
rakṣohaṇo vo valagahano 'va nayāmi vaiṣṇavān ।
rakṣohaṇo vo valagahano 'va stṛṇāmi vaiṣṇavān ।
rakṣohaṇau vāṃ valagahanā ' upa dadhāmi vaiṣṇavī ।
rakṣohaṇau vāṃ valagahanau pary ūhāmi vaiṣṇavī ।
vaiṣṇavam asi ।
vaiṣṇavā stha ॥
You are fighters against suffering and destroyers of evil while I rout the force of the enemy. You are devotees of Vishnu, Lord of the universe, and dedicated to yajna, a life of positive creative and constructive action. I bless and sanctify you. You are the destroyers of the wicked. I gauge the strength of the enemy and drive them away from you, friends of yajna. You are fighters against human poverty and misfortune. I know the powers of the exploiters. I shower success and prosperity on you, friends of social and economic well-being through yajna. President of the council and master of yajna, you are crusaders against ignorance and injustice and you face the power of the adversaries. By virtue of your dedication to Vishnu and to yajna, I take you close to me for success. Eliminators of sin and pollution, you break down their power in the service of society. I know your faith and I strengthen your faith and resolve. Yajna is holy, it is a Godly mission. Stay firm in your dedication to yajna, to God, to nature and to society.
5.26
देवस्य त्वा सवितुः प्रसवे ऽश्विनोर् बाहुभ्यां पूष्णो हस्ताभ्याम् ।
आ ददे नार्य् असि ।
इदम् अहꣳ रक्षसां ग्रीवा ऽ अपि कृन्तामि ।
यवो ऽसि यवयास्मद् द्वेषो यवयारातीः ।
दिवे त्वाऽन्तरिक्षाय त्वा पृथिव्यै त्वा ।
शुन्धन्तां लोकाः पितृषदनाः ।
पितृषदनम् असि ॥
devasya tvā savituḥ prasave 'śvinor bāhubhyāṃ pūṣṇo hastābhyām ।
ā dade nāry asi ।
idam ahaṁ rakṣasāṃ grīvā ' api kṛntāmi ।
yavo 'si yavayāsmad dveṣo yavayārātīḥ ।
dive tvā'ntarikṣāya tvā pṛthivyai tvā ।
śundhantāṃ lokāḥ pitṛṣadanāḥ ।
pitṛṣadanam asi ॥
In this world of Savita’s creation, with the strength and vigour of prana and apana, and with the power and prowess of the bold and the brave I do homage to the man of learning and dedication and accept yajna as a mission so that I may catch the wicked and the evil by the neck and eliminate them head and foot from life and society. You are young and fast, speed itself. Drive away hate and fear from us. Eliminate poverty, adversity and failure. May all the people cooperate and join in the yajna in the search for the light of truth and universal Dharma, for exploration of the sky and space and for enrichment of the earth and the environment. This is the assembly of the wise and the learned people. May all the people join these men of knowledge and be enlightened. O woman, you are strong and bold. You too join in this venture.
5.27
उद् दिवꣳ स्तभानान्तरिक्षं पृण दृꣳहस्व पृथिव्याम् ।
द्युतानास् त्वा मारुतो मिनोतु मित्रावरुणौ ध्रुवेण धर्मणा ।
ब्रह्मवनि त्वा क्षत्रवनि त्वा रायस्पोषवनि पर्य् ऊहामि ।
ब्रह्म दृꣳह क्षत्रं दृꣳहायुर् दृꣳह प्रजां दृꣳह ॥
ud divaṁ stabhānāntarikṣaṃ pṛṇa dṛṁhasva pṛthivyām ।
dyutānās tvā māruto minotu mitrāvaruṇau dhruveṇa dharmaṇā ।
brahmavani tvā kṣatravani tvā rāyaspoṣavani pary ūhāmi ।
brahma dṛṁha kṣatraṃ dṛṁhāyur dṛṁha prajāṃ dṛṁha ॥
Yajna, man of knowledge, president of the assembly, reach the regions of light and reveal the secrets of knowledge. Rise to the skies and fill the space there for knowledge. Reach into the earth and strengthen it. May the wind join you and help with the light of energy. May the two-fold movements of wind-energy, prana and apana, help you with their firm and unfailing power. I know and appreciate your dedication to knowledge and education, to governance and organization, to the economic system and wish you well. Promote knowledge, strengthen the social system, enrich the economic system. Promote life and health. Promote the welfare of the people.
5.28
ध्रुवासि ध्रुवो ऽयं यजमानो ऽस्मिन्न् आयतने प्रजया पशुभिर् भूयात् ।
घृतेन द्यावापृथिवी पूर्येथाम् ।
इन्द्रस्य छदिर् असि विश्वजनस्य छाया ॥
dhruvāsi dhruvo 'yaṃ yajamāno 'sminn āyatane prajayā paśubhir bhūyāt ।
ghṛtena dyāvāpṛthivī pūryethām ।
indrasya chadir asi viśvajanasya chāyā ॥
Lady of the house, hostess of yajna, you are firm and strong. May the yajamana, your husband, also be firm in this yajna, in this home, in this world, with his family, his people and his wealth. May both of you fill the earth and the sky with the fragrance of ghee and fertility. You are the protective shade of Indra, lord of power and prosperity. You too be the protective cover for all the people of the world.
5.29
परि त्वा गिर्वणो गिर ऽ इमा भवन्तु विश्वतः ।
वृद्धायुम् अनु वृद्धयो जुष्टा भवन्तु जुष्टयः ॥
pari tvā girvaṇo gira ' imā bhavantu viśvataḥ ।
vṛddhāyum anu vṛddhayo juṣṭā bhavantu juṣṭayaḥ ॥
Lord President, adorable in songs of praise, may these chants of celebration reach you whole and from all sides, and may these praises, ever loved, increase and grow in their truth and value alongwith the lord, first in time and oldest in wisdom.
5.30
इन्द्रस्य स्यूर् असि ।
इन्द्रस्य ध्रुवो ऽसि ।
ऐन्द्रम् असि ।
वैश्वदेवम् असि ॥
indrasya syūr asi ।
indrasya dhruvo 'si ।
aindram asi ।
vaiśvadevam asi ॥
You are the life-link of the world’s beauty and grandeur. You are the centre-pin of the wheel of existence. You are the power and the glory. You are the ultimate rest and haven of the universe.
Mantras 31–40
5.31
विभूर् असि प्रवाहणः ।
वह्निर् असि हव्यवाहनः ।
श्वात्रो ऽसि प्रचेताः ।
तुथो ऽसि विश्ववेदाः ॥
vibhūr asi pravāhaṇaḥ ।
vahnir asi havyavāhanaḥ ।
śvātro 'si pracetāḥ ।
tutho 'si viśvavedāḥ ॥
Agni, you are vast as space, flowing as a river and rolling as the sea, the fire that carries the fragrance of yajna across the world. You are the lord giver of knowledge and awareness and promoter of wisdom, and you are the vision of the world.
5.32
उशिग् असि कविः ।
अङ्घारिर् असि बम्भारिः ।
अवस्यूर् असि दुवस्वान् ।
शुन्ध्यूर् असि मार्जालीयः ।
सम्राड् असि कृशानुः ।
परिषद्योऽसि पवमानः ।
नभोऽसि प्रतक्वा ।
मृष्टो ऽसि हव्यसूदनः ।
ऽऋतधामासि स्वर्ज्योतिः ॥
uśig asi kaviḥ ।
aṅghārir asi bambhāriḥ ।
avasyūr asi duvasvān ।
śundhyūr asi mārjālīyaḥ ।
samrāḍ asi kṛśānuḥ ।
pariṣadyo'si pavamānaḥ ।
nabho'si pratakvā ।
mṛṣṭo 'si havyasūdanaḥ ।
'ṛtadhāmāsi svarjyotiḥ ॥
Agni, you are the lord of light, eternal poet of vision and creation, enemy of sin and evil, deliverer from bondage, protector from suffering, adorable, edifying purifier and sanctifier. Self-refulgent, you burn away the dirt, wash away and dry up pollution; centrepresence of the assembly, you emanate joy; light of the sky, you refine the yajna and carry it in space. Light of heaven and abode of the eternal law of Dharma, you are the spirit of patience and the power of endurance.
5.33
समुद्रो ऽसि विश्वव्यचाः ।
ऽअजो ऽस्य् एकपात् ।
अहिर् असि बुध्न्यः ।
वाग् अस्य् ऐन्द्रम् असि सदो ऽसि ।
ऋतस्य द्वारौ मा मा संताप्तम् ।
अध्वनाम् अध्वपते प्र मा तिर स्वस्ति मे ऽस्मिन् पथि देवयाने भूयात् ॥
samudro 'si viśvavyacāḥ ।
'ajo 'sy ekapāt ।
ahir asi budhnyaḥ ।
vāg asy aindram asi sado 'si ।
ṛtasya dvārau mā mā saṃtāptam ।
adhvanām adhvapate pra mā tira svasti me 'smin pathi devayāne bhūyāt ॥
Agni, vast and deep as the ocean, unfathomable as space, immanent and omnipresent, you are the original power and motion of existence. Unborn and eternal, spirit of all knowledge, the world is but one vibration of this eternal consciousness, and the Veda is just one Word of its articulation. Man of wisdom and learning, path-maker and guardian of advancement in knowledge, Dharma and science, Agni, Lord of Life, is the lord of knowledge and power. He opens the doors of internal and external knowledge. You too keep the doors open, extend the paths, do not cause any suffering, help us cross the hurdles and lead us on in this noble pilgrimage of divine life on earth. Lord of life, knowledge and action, bless us that we may succeed.
5.34
मित्रस्य मा चक्षुषेक्षध्वम् ।
अग्नयः सगराः सगरा स्थ सगरेण नाम्ना रुद्रेणानीकेन पात माग्नयः पिपृत माग्नयो गोपायत मा नमो वो स्तु मा मा हिꣳसिष्ट ॥
mitrasya mā cakṣuṣekṣadhvam ।
agnayaḥ sagarāḥ sagarā stha sagareṇa nāmnā rudreṇānīkena pāta māgnayaḥ pipṛta māgnayo gopāyata mā namo vo stu mā mā hiṁsiṣṭa ॥
5.35
ज्योतिर् असि विश्वरूपं विश्वेषां देवाना समित् ।
त्वꣳ सोम तनूकृद्भ्यो द्वेषोभ्यो ऽन्यकृतेभ्य ऽउरु यन्तासि वरूथꣳ स्वाहा ।
जुषाणो ऽअप्तुर् आज्यस्य वेतु स्वाहा ॥
jyotir asi viśvarūpaṃ viśveṣāṃ devānā samit ।
tvaṁ soma tanūkṛdbhyo dveṣobhyo 'nyakṛtebhya 'uru yantāsi varūthaṁ svāhā ।
juṣāṇo 'aptur ājyasya vetu svāhā ॥
Agni, you are the light of universal knowledge, a flame of fire for the scholars of the world to light up and reveal the form and structure of the world. Soma you are the vast power of order and control over the envious, the self-expansive servers of the flesh, the negative and uncreative people. May the lover of tecknowledge, fast and anxious, choose to dedicate himself to the great and valuable secrets and powers of agni, and know and confirm the divine voice of the Veda.
5.36
अग्ने नय सुपथा राये ऽअस्मान् विश्वानि देव वयुनानि विद्वान् ।
युयोध्य् अस्मज् जुहुराणम् एनो भूयिष्ठां ते नमऽउक्तिं विधेम ॥
agne naya supathā rāye 'asmān viśvāni deva vayunāni vidvān ।
yuyodhy asmaj juhurāṇam eno bhūyiṣṭhāṃ te nama'uktiṃ vidhema ॥
Agni, light of the world and treasure-home of all the power and wealth, lord of all the knowledge, karma and paths of life, lead us on by the right path, simple and straight, to the highest goal of life, Moksha, through right knowledge, right action and right wealth. Fight out and ward off from us all that is evil and leads to suffering — crookedness, deviousness, intrigue and deceit. We bow in thanks and surrender to you and sing the sweetest songs in praise of you.
5.37
अयं नो ऽ अग्निर् वरिवस् कृणोत्व् अयं मृधः पुर ऽएतु प्रभिन्दन् ।
अयं वाजान् जयतु वाजसाताव् अयꣳ शत्रून् जयतु जर्हृषाणः स्वाहा ॥
ayaṃ no ' agnir varivas kṛṇotv ayaṃ mṛdhaḥ pura 'etu prabhindan ।
ayaṃ vājān jayatu vājasātāv ayaṁ śatrūn jayatu jarhṛṣāṇaḥ svāhā ॥
May this Agni, this fiery man of courage and prowess, make the way to safety, security, wealth and bliss. May he, breaking through the lines of the envious, go forward. May he defeat the enemy in battles and win the victories. May he, in joyous song, celebrate the victory for Agni.
5.38
उरु विष्णो वि क्रमस्वोरु क्षयाय नस् कृधि ।
घृतं घृतयोने पिब प्र-प्र यज्ञपतिं तिर स्वाहा ॥
uru viṣṇo vi kramasvoru kṣayāya nas kṛdhi ।
ghṛtaṃ ghṛtayone piba pra-pra yajñapatiṃ tira svāhā ॥
Vishnu, lord of life and sustenance/Man of knowledge, power and wealth, go far and forward in your exploits and enable us to expand with our homes, wealth, knowledge and happiness. Born of ghee and rising with ghee the fire devours its food and blazes. You too light the fire with knowledge and action and grow continuously in knowledge, action, wealth and happiness. Take the master of yajna across the fields of life, chanting the hymns of yajna, to a safe haven of joy.
5.39
देव सवितर् एष ते सोमस् तꣳ रक्षस्व मा त्वा दभन् ।
एतत् त्वं देव सोम देवो देवाँ2 ऽ उपागा ऽ इदम् अहं मनुष्यान्त् सह रायस्पोषेण स्वाहा निर् वरुणस्य पाशान् मुच्ये ॥
deva savitar eṣa te somas taṁ rakṣasva mā tvā dabhan ।
etat tvaṃ deva soma devo devām̐2 ' upāgā ' idam ahaṃ manuṣyānt saha rāyaspoṣeṇa svāhā nir varuṇasya pāśān mucye ॥
Savita, lord of life and growth, Head of the people, this is your Soma, honour, strength and power. Protect it. Don’t be cowed down. Let none injure, deceive or destroy you. Soma, man of energy and inspiration, shining with strength and intelligence, bright as you are, go to the men of virtue and wisdom. I too approach them to be with them. Thus with the wise and the virtuous people, with friends and comrades, with wealth and growth, I get free of the chains of Varuna, the powers of worldly bondage.
5.40
अग्ने व्रतपास् त्वे व्रतपा या तव तनूर् मय्य् अभूद् एषा सा त्वयि यो मम तनूस् त्वय्य् अभूद् इयꣳ सा मयि ।
यथायथं नौ व्रतपते व्रतान्य् अनु मे दीक्षां दीक्षापतिर् अमꣳस्तानु तपस् तपस्पतिः ॥
agne vratapās tve vratapā yā tava tanūr mayy abhūd eṣā sā tvayi yo mama tanūs tvayy abhūd iyaṁ sā mayi ।
yathāyathaṃ nau vratapate vratāny anu me dīkṣāṃ dīkṣāpatir amaṁstānu tapas tapaspatiḥ ॥
Agni, man of light and brilliance, man of truth, man of knowledge, teacher, man of discipline on oath as you are, so may I be as your disciple. Your body of knowledge, truth and faith may be in me too. And my body of growing knowledge may be in you. Man of discipline and commitment, you and I both shall observe common vows corresponding to each other. May my initiation and dedication on oath be accepted and approved by my master of initiation. May my discipline and austerity be in accord with the discipline and austerity of the master of tapas, austere discipline.
Mantras 41–43
5.41
उरु विष्णो वि क्रमस्वोरु क्षयाय नस् कृधि ।
घृतं घृतयोने पिब प्र-प्र यज्ञपतिं तिर स्वाहा ॥
uru viṣṇo vi kramasvoru kṣayāya nas kṛdhi ।
ghṛtaṃ ghṛtayone piba pra-pra yajñapatiṃ tira svāhā ॥
5.42
अत्य् अन्याꣳ ऽ अगां नान्याꣳ ऽ उपागाम् अर्वाक् त्वा परेभ्यो ऽविदं परो ऽवरेभ्यः ।
तं त्वा जुषामहे देव वनस्पते देवयज्यायै देवास् त्वा देवयज्यायै जुषन्तां विष्णवे त्वा ।
ओषधे त्रायस्व ।
स्वधिते मैनꣳ हिꣳसीः ॥
aty anyāṁ ' agāṃ nānyāṁ ' upāgām arvāk tvā parebhyo 'vidaṃ paro 'varebhyaḥ ।
taṃ tvā juṣāmahe deva vanaspate devayajyāyai devās tvā devayajyāyai juṣantāṃ viṣṇave tvā ।
oṣadhe trāyasva ।
svadhite mainaṁ hiṁsīḥ ॥
Agni/Master of knowledge, I won’t go to the fools. I would go to the others, to the wise, yes, to the wise only. You are higher than the highest (in knowledge), and closer than the closest (in love). I would be with you, know you, attain to you. Lord/Master of herbs, brilliant and generous, we love you and adore you for the sake of gifts of knowledge and life’s inspiration. May all the devas, noble ones, love you and adore you for the same gifts of knowledge and blessings for the sake of Vishnu, lord of yajna. Life-giving herbs, power of the lord, save this man, save this yajna, hurt not, kill not.
5.43
द्यां मा लेखीर् अन्तरिक्षं मा हिꣳसीः पृथिव्या सं भव ।
अयꣳ हि त्वा स्वधितिस् तेतिजानः प्रणिनाय महते सौभगाय ।
अतस् त्वं देव वनस्पते शतवल्शो वि रोह सहस्रवल्शा वि वयꣳ रुहेम ॥
dyāṃ mā lekhīr antarikṣaṃ mā hiṁsīḥ pṛthivyā saṃ bhava ।
ayaṁ hi tvā svadhitis tetijānaḥ praṇināya mahate saubhagāya ।
atas tvaṃ deva vanaspate śatavalśo vi roha sahasravalśā vi vayaṁ ruhema ॥
Don’t breach the regions of light, let the heavens be. Hurt not the skies, pollute them not. Be with the earth and the environment. This yajna is a great power, a weapon sharp and tempered, come to you for a great good fortune. Lord of herbs/Greenery of the earth, generous power of the Divine, grow from a hundred roots, spread and rise. We too may, by the grace of the Lord of yajna, grow and rise from a thousand roots, from a thousand shoots, through a hundred years, through a thousand years.