DECKING the treasure-house of prayers, O Agni, enkindled, pouring forth sweet-tasted butter,

Swift-moving, bearing curd, O Jâtavedas, bear what they love to the Gods’ habitation.

2Balming the paths that lead to heaven with fatness, let the Steed go unto the Gods well-knowing. Courser, the Quarters of the sky attend thee! Bestow thou food upon this Sacrificer.

3Thou, Steed, art meet for laud and veneration; swift, fit for sacrifice art thou, O Courser. In concert with the Gods and Vasus Agni Omniscient waft thee a contented bearer!

4Pleased with much Sacred Grass which we have scattered wide spread upon the earth, a pleasant carpet, Joined with the Gods may Aditi, accordant, bestowing bliss award it happy fortune.

5May these your Doors divine that wear all colours, auspicious, with uplifted leaves unfolding, Lofty and closely fitted and sonorous, rich in adornment, offer easy passage.

6Your two Dawns rich in gold and varied colour, travelling on ‘twixt Varuna and Mitra, Acquainted with the face of sacrifices, I settle here within the home of Order.

7Your two chief Hotars have I pleased, bright-coloured, borne on one car, Gods who behold all creatures, Those who prepare your rules and ordinances and make you see the light by their direction.

8Bhâratî with Âdityas love our worship! Sarasvatî with Rudras be our helper, And Idâ in accord, invoked with Vasus! Goddesses, place our rite among the Immortals.

9The God-devoted son Tvashtar produces: from Tvashtar springs to life your fleet-foot Courser. Tvashtar gave being to this All about us. Priest, worship here the mighty work’s achiever.

10Let the Steed seek his home, and balmed with butter go of himself unto the Gods in season. To the Gods’ world Vanaspatî, well-knowing, bear our oblations which the fire has tasted!

11Thou, waxing by Prajâpati’s strong fervour, born quickly, guardest sacrifice, O Agni. With consecrated offering go, preceding, and let the Sâdhyas, Gods, eat our oblation.

12What time, first springing into life, thou neighedst, proceeding from the sea or cloudy vapour, Limbs of the deer hadst thou, and eagle pinions. O Steed, thy birth is high and must be lauded.

13This Steed, bestowed by Yama, Trita harnessed, and Indra was the first to mount and ride him. His bridle the Gandharva grasped. O Vasus, from out the Sun ye fashioned forth the Courser.

14Yama art thou, O Horse; thou art Âditya; Trita art thou by secret operation. From Soma thou art thoroughly divided. They say there are three bonds in heaven that hold thee.

15Three bonds, they say, thou hast in heaven to bind thee, three in the waters, three within the ocean. To me thou seemest Varuna, O Courser, there where they say is thy sublimest birthplace.

16Here, Courser, are the places where they groomed thee; here are the traces of thy hooves as winner. Here have I seen the auspicious reins that guide thee, which those who guard the holy Law keep safely.

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