BOOK The Sixth HYMN IX. Agni.第六捲曲9、火神[1]

1】 One half of day is dark, and bright the other: both atmospheres move on by sage devices.

Agni Vaisvanara[2], when born as Sovran, hath with his lustre overcome the darkness.

一天之中黑夜與明亮各分一半，他們都以自身的賢明機制運行。全能的火神生為君王，以他的光亮戰勝了黑暗。

2】 I know not either warp or woof, I know not the web they weave when moving to the contest.

Whose son shall here speak words that must be spoken without assistance from the Father near him?

我不會紡織經線和緯紗，我也不知道參加祭祀競賽的人們如何編織衣布。誰的兒子將在這裡發表超越父親的演說[3]？

3】 For both the warp and woof he understandeth, and in due time shall speak what should be spoken,

Who knoweth as the immortal world's Protector, descending, seeing with no aid from other.

他會紡織經線和緯紗，在適當的時候將說適當的話。作為永生世界的保護者他知曉、下凡來透見事物。

4】 He is the Priest, the first of all: behold him. Mid mortal men he is the light immortal.

Here was he born, firm-seated in his station Immortal, ever waxing in his body.

他是祭祀的首席祭司，引人注目。他是凡夫俗子中的不朽明光。他就在這裡出生、堅定地駐守在崗位上從不衰老、周身更加光亮。

5】 A firm light hath been set for men to look on: among all things that fly the mind is swiftest.

All Gods of one accord, with one intention, move unobstructed to a single purpose.

一個堅定的亮光為人們的瞻仰樹立起來，精神在所有的事物中飛傳得最快。眾神一致地以同一個意志克服阻礙奔向同一個目標。

6】 Mine ears unclose to hear, mine eye to see him; the light that harbours in my spirit broadens.

Far roams my mind whose thoughts are in the distance. What shall I speak, what shall I now imagine?

我的耳朵豎起傾聽、眼睛睜大張望着他，我心中的光亮擴散開來。我的思緒漫遊在遠方。我該說什麼？我該想象什麼？

7】 All the Gods bowed them down in fear before thee, Agni, when thou wast dwelling in the darkness.

Vaisvanara[4] be gracious to assist us, may the Immortal favour us and help us.

火神，當你藏身於黑夜之中，眾神都敬畏地向你鞠躬。願全能的神賜予我們仁慈；願不朽之神保佑我們。

[趙京，中日美比較政策研究所，2016年8月11日初稿]

[1] Ralph T.H. Griffith trans. Quality Paperback Book Club, New York, 1992.  http://www.hinduwebsite.com/sacredscripts/rig_veda_book_6.asp  ，不過要留意一些拼寫錯誤。

[2] Wendy Doniger trtans. The Rig Vade: An Anthology,Penguin Books, 1981. P.116譯為Of-all-men；Sri Aurobindo, Hymns to the Mystic Fire, Pondicherry, India, 1952. p.343譯為Godhead。

[3] Wendy Doniger trtans. The Rig Vade: An Anthology,Penguin Books, 1981. P.116；Sri Aurobindo, Hymns to the Mystic Fire, Pondicherry, India, 1952. p.343。前者的譯文面對公眾，特別在注釋中摻入豐富的文學想象，後者的譯文則很少注釋。這樣的段落即使讀起來缺少邏輯聯繫，我也儘量少加入主觀推理。

[4] Wendy Doniger trtans. The Rig Vade: An Anthology,Penguin Books, 1981. P.116譯為Of-all-men；Sri Aurobindo, Hymns to the Mystic Fire, Pondicherry, India, 1952. p.345譯為Universal Godhead。