A Vedic Hymn to the Fire


Hymns: Other flames are only branches of thy stock, O Fire. All the immortals take in thee their rapturous joy. O universal Godhead, thou art the naval knot of the earths and their inhabitants; all men born thou control and support like a pillar. The Flame is the head of heaven and the naval of the earth, and he is the power that moves at work in the two worlds. O Vaishwanara, the gods through thee to birth a god to be a light of Aryan man. As the firm rays sit steadfast in the Sun (Surya Sivananda), all treasures have been placed in the universal godhead and flame. King art thou of all the riches that are in the growths of the earth and the hills, and the waters, and all the riches that are men and women. Heaven and Earth grow as if vaster worlds to the Son. He is the priest of our sacrifice and sings our words even as might a man or woman of discerning skill. To Vaishwanara (soul god), for this most strong god who brings with him the light of the sun world, its many mighty waters because his strength is of the truth. O Universal godhead, O knower of all things born, thy excess of greatness overflows even the Great Heaven. Thou art the king of the toiling human beings, and by battle mad the supreme good for the gods. This is the universal godhead who by his greatness labors in all the people, the luster master of sacrifice, the Flame with his hundred treasures. This is he who has the word of the Truth.