THE HYMNS OF THE SĀMAVEDA [PART I.]

7 Win, to protect you, the Red God original: "Rudra"; here used as a title for Agni, signifying his bright, fierce, and red nature., lord of worship, priest
of both worlds, effectual sacrificer,
Fire original: "Agni", invested with his golden colours, before the
thunder strike and lay you senseless!

8 The King whose face is decked with oil original: "oil"; referring to the clarified butter or ghee offered into the sacrificial flames. is kindled
with homage offered by his faithful servant.
The men, the priests adore him with oblations. Fire original: "Agni"
hath shone forth at the flush of morning.

9 Fire original: "Agni" advanceth with his lofty banner : through earth
and heaven the Strong Bull original: "Bull"; a common metaphor for the power and roaring sound of fire. hath loudly bellowed.
He hath come nigh from the sky's farthest limit : the
Steer another reference to the power of Agni hath waxen in the waters' bosom.

10 From the two fire-sticks original: "fire-sticks"; the wooden tools used to generate fire by friction. have the men engendered
with thoughts, urged by the hand, the glorious Fire original: "Agni",
Far-seen, with pointed flame, Lord of the Homestead.

‘By song and sacrifice men brought the waters from thee, as from a mountain's ridge, O Indra The King of the Gods.. Urging thy might, with these fair lauds they seek thee, O theme of song, as horses rush to battle.’ So sprang the Gods..... from thee: ‘Father of Gods, and yet their son wast thou.’ —Rigveda The oldest of the four Vedas. I. 69. 1. Bearing the lover of the song: carrying Indra. According to the scholar Benfey ‘bearing songs of praise.’

7 Rigveda IV. 3. 1. Ascribed to the Sage Vâmadeva. The Red God: the bright red God, Fire. Before the thunder strike: Professor Ludwig, in his commentary on the verse in the Rigveda, refers to the Atharvaveda The fourth Veda, often containing charms and spells. XII. 2, 9, where Fire the Flesh-Devourer original: "Agni Kravyâd"; Agni in his terrifying form as the funeral fire. is spoken of as the God of Death who stupefies men with his thunderbolt.

8 Rigveda VII. 8. 1. Ascribed to the Sage Vasishṭha. Offered by his faithful servant: I follow the reading of the Rigveda "by the pious man" original: "sam aryo" instead of "in the assembly" original: "samaryo". At the flush of morning: the sacrificial fire being kindled at break of day.

9 Rigveda X. 8. 1. Ascribed to the Sage Trisirâs. The Bull: Fire, so called on account of his strength, impetuosity, and the noise of his flames. In the waters' bosom: in the lap of the waters of the firmament meaning the fire exists within the rain-clouds as lightning..

10 Rigveda VII. 1. 1. Ascribed to the Sage Vasishṭha. With thoughts: with religious attention and devotional thoughts. According to the commentator Sâyaṇa, the word "with thoughts" original: "dhîtibhiḥ" signifies ‘with fingers,’ though this is based on tradition rather than language rules. Urged by the hand: "moved by the hand" original: "hastachyutam": the Rigveda uses a slightly different form original: "hastachyutî" meaning ‘with the hands' swift movement.’