BOOK The Sixth HYMN IX. Agni.第六卷曲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.

一天之中黑夜与明亮各分一半，他们都以自身的贤明机制运行。全能的火神生为君王，以他的光亮战胜了黑暗。

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?

我不会纺织经线和纬纱，我也不知道参加祭祀竞赛的人们如何编织衣布。谁的儿子将在这里发表超越父亲的演说[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.

他会纺织经线和纬纱，在适当的时候将说适当的话。作为永生世界的保护者他知晓、下凡来透见事物。

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。他就在这里出生、坚定地驻守在岗位上从不衰老、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.

一个坚定的亮光为人们的瞻仰树立起来，精神在所有的事物中飞传得最快。众神一致地以同一个意志克服阻碍奔向同一个目标。

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?

我的耳朵竖起倾听、眼睛睁大张望着他，我心中的光亮扩散开来。我的思绪漫游在远方。我该说什么？我该想象什么？

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，当你藏身于黑夜之中，众神都敬畏地向你鞠躬。愿全能的神赐予我们仁慈；愿不朽之神保佑我们。

[赵京，中日美比较政策研究所，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  ，不过要留意一些拼写错误。

[2] Wendy Doniger trtans. The Rig Vade: An Anthology,Penguin Books, 1981. P.116译为Of-all-men；Sri Aurobindo, Hymns to the Mystic Fire, Pondicherry, India, 1952. p.343译为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。前者的译文面对公众，特别在注释中掺入丰富的文学想象，后者的译文则很少注释。这样的段落即使读起来缺少逻辑联系，我也尽量少加入主观推理。

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