The hymn is variously employed by Kāuç.: in the parvan sacrifices (1. 33), at entering on the vow; in rites (12. 10) for glory; in one for prosperity (22. 14; and it is reckoned to the puṣṭika mantras, 19. 1, note); in one for avoidance of quarrels (38. 26: so Keç.), with tying on an amulet of a kind of rope; and in a witchcraft process (49. 15) against an enemy; further, vs. 11, with vii. 86 and 91, in the indramahotsava (140. 6). In Vāit., in the parvan sacrifices, it (or vs. 1) accompanies the addition of fuel to the three sacrificial fires (1. 12); and vss. 1-4 the propitiation of the gods on commencing sacrifice (1. 14).
Translated: by the RV. translators; and Griffith, i. 192; Weber, xviii. 172.
1. Be splendor mine, O Agni, in rival invocations (vihavá); may we, kindling thee, adorn ourselves; let the four directions bow to me; with thee as overseer may we conquer the fighters.
The other texts (with MS. i. 4. 1) have no variants in this verse. Ppp. appears to read prathema for puṣema in b.
2. O Agni, pushing back the fury of our adversaries, do thou, our keeper (gopā́), protect us about on all sides; let our abusers (durasyú) go away downwards; among themselves (amā́) let the intent of them awaking be lost.
RV's version of b, c reads thus: ádabdho gopā́ḥ pári pāhi nas tvám: pratyáñco yantu nigútaḥ púnas té; and TS. has the same. But TS. also reads agnís at the beginning, purástāt for páreṣām in a, and prabúdhā in d. Ppp. has prabudhā for nivátā in c, and, for d, mamīṣāṁ cittaṁ bahudhā vi naçyatu. The verse is properly svarāj, b as well as c being jagatī. ⌊Correct gāpā́ḥ to gopā́ḥ.⌋
3. Let all the gods be at my separate call—the Maruts with Indra, Vishṇu, Agni; let the broad-spaced atmosphere be mine; let the wind blow (pū) for me unto this desire.
RV. reads at the end kā́me asmín, and Ppp. agrees with it, also TS. TS. has further índrāvantas in b, and in c, strangely enough, urú gopám, as two separate words.
4. Let what sacrifices I make make sacrifice for me; let my mind's design be realized (satyā́); let me not fall into (ni-gā) any sin soever; let all the gods defend me here.
RV. and TS. read yajantu and havyā́ (for iṣṭā́) in a, and, for d, víçve devāso ádhi vocatā naḥ (but TS. me). Ppp. agrees with our text except for ending with mām iha.
5. On me let the gods bestow (ā-yaj) property; with me be blessing (āçís), with me divine invocation; may the divine invokers (hótar) win that for us; may we be unharmed with our self (tanū́), rich in heroes.
RV. has for c dāivyā́ hótāro vanuṣanta pū́rve; and TS. the same, except hótārā and vaniṣanta. One or two of our mss. (Bp.H.) read saniṣam in c. Ppp. begins a with mahyam, and has mama for mayi both times in b.
6. Ye six divine wide ones, make wide [space] for us; all ye gods, revel here; let not a portent find us, nor an imprecation; let not the wrong that is hateful find us.
