BOOK The First HYMN XII. Agni.第一卷曲12、火神[1]

1】 We choose Agni the messenger, the herald, master of all wealth,

Well skilled in this our sacrifice.

我们选择火神，这个使者、预报者、所有财富的主人，精于这种我们的奉献。

2】 With callings ever they invoke Agni, Agni, Lord of the House,

Oblation-bearer, much beloved.

召唤神灵时，他们就祈求火神。火神，你是深受爱戴的房屋之主、供奉的承担者。

3】 Bring the Gods hither, Agni, born for him who strews the sacred grass:

Thou art our herald, meet for praise.

把众神请来，火神，为点缀好圣草的人，你是我们的预报者，接受颂赞。

4】 Wake up the willing Gods, since thou, Agni, performest embassage:

Sit on the sacred grass with Gods.

唤醒愿意来的诸神，因为你，火神，扮演着大使的角色，与诸神坐在圣草上。

5】 O Agni, radiant One, to whom the holy oil is poured, burn up

Our enemies whom fiends protect.

ㄚ！火神，辐射者，圣油为你注入，烧光了被恶魔庇护着的我们的敌人。

6】By Agni Agni is inflamed, Lord of the House, wise, young, who bears

The gift: the ladle is his mouth.

通过火神的火种点燃了神火，是房屋的主人、智慧、新生、承担着礼物：注油长勺就是他的嘴口。

7】 Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose ways are ever true,

The God who driveth grief away.

在奉献中赞美火神，圣人的这种方式永远真实，神驱走了悲痛。

8】 God, Agni, be his strong defence who, lord of sacrificial gifts,

Worshippeth thee the messenger.

愿神成为火神的强大防御!那些奉献的领导人物或集体就更敬拜你--使者。

9】 Whoso with sacred gift would fain call Agni to the feast of Gods,

O Purifier, favour him.

任何带着圣礼的人都会欣然招请火神到诸神的盛宴。ㄚ，净化者，祝福他吧！

10】 Such, Agni, Purifier, bright, bring hither to our sacrifice,

To our oblation bring the Gods.

就这样，火神，净化者，把明亮带到了我们的奉献，为我们的供奉带来诸神。

11】 So lauded by our newest song of praise bring opulence to us,

And food, with heroes for our sons.

因此，通过我们最新的赞美歌的朗诵，为我们带来了富足，也为我们的子孙们带来了食品和英雄。

12】 O Agni, by effulgent flame, by all invokings of the Gods,

Show pleasure in this laud of ours.

ㄚ！火神，由灿烂的火焰，由诸神的所有祈求，在这场我们的赞美里显示你的喜悦吧！

[赵京，2016年8月7日初稿]

[1] Trans. Ralph T.H. Griffith. Quality Paperback Book Club, New York, 1992.  http://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/hinduism/rigveda/agni_1.asp 专门只列出对火神的赞颂，不过要留意一些拼写错误。