Atharva Veda · 217 of 724

HYMN XLIX

In praise of Agni 1. O Agni, in thy body man hath never found a wounded part.   The Ape devours the arrow’s shaft as a cow eats her after-    birth. 2. Thou like a fleece contractest and expandest thee what time the    upper stone and that below devour.   Closely compressing head with head and breast with breast he    crunches up the tendrils with his yellow jaws. 3. The Eagles have sent forth their voice aloud to heaven: in the    sky’s vault the dark impetuous ones have danced.   When they come downward to repair the lower stone, they,    dwellers with the Sun, have gained abundant seed.