The Hymns of the Sama Veda

[i. i. 4.] THE SĀMAVEDA.

4 O Fire original: "Agni" who art worshipped well, dear let our princes term: "sûrayah"; the wealthy patrons who sponsored and funded the Vedic sacrifices.
be to thee,
Our wealthy patrons who are governors of men, who
part, as gifts, the stall of kine! A poetic reference to the distribution of cattle as wealth.
5 Fire original: "Agni", praise-singer! Lord of men, God! burning up
the Fiends original: "Râkshasas"; malevolent spirits or ogres believed to disrupt sacred rites.,
Mighty art thou, the ever-present, household-lord!
home-friend and guardian from the sky.
6 Immortal All-Knowing One original: "Jâtavedas"; a title for the Fire God meaning "he who knows all created beings.", thou bright-hued refulgent gift
of Dawn,
Fire original: "Agni", this day to him who pays oblations bring the
Gods who waken with the morn!
7 Wonderful, with thy favouring help, send us thy
bounties, gracious Lord.
Thou art the charioteer term: "charioteer"; used here metaphorically to mean the 'forwarder' or 'bringer' of riches., Fire original: "Agni", of earthly wealth:
find rest and safety for our seed! Refers to the worshipper's descendants or offspring.
8 Famed art thou, Fire original: "Agni", far and wide, preserver,
righteous, and a Sage.
The holy singers, O enkindled radiant one, ordainers term: "ordainers"; the priests or officials who arrange the complex steps of the sacrifice.,
call on thee to come.
9 O holy Fire original: "Agni", give us wealth famed among men and
strengthening life!

4 Rigveda VII. 16. 7. Ascribed to Vasishtha One of the most famous and influential of the ancient Vedic seers.. Princes : sûrayah : wealthy men who institute sacrifices, defray the charges, and reward the officiating priests with gifts of gold, robes, horses, and cattle.

5 Rigveda VIII. 49. 19. Ascribed to Bharga (see note on 2), but in the Commentary on the Sâmaveda to Bharadvâja Another of the legendary Seven Sages of India.. Fiends: original: "Râkshasas" : fiends or ogres who wander about, especially at night, disturbing sacrifices and pious men, and showing general hostility to the human race.

6 Rigveda I. 44. 1. Ascribed to Praskanva. All-Knowing One: original: "Jâtavedas" : the wise or omniscient; a frequently-occurring name for Fire original: "Agni". Gift of Dawn : freshly kindled and given to men at break of day.

7 Rigveda VI. 48. 9. See note on stanza 3. The charioteer : the forwarder.

8 Rigveda VIII. 49. 5. See note on stanza 2. Ordainers : arrangers of the sacrifice.