The praise given to Agni (Fire) is taken to many dimensions in the poetry of Parāśara; as a god, as the fire of the woods, as the Sun, as motivation, vigor and more. Below is a very loose reworking of the translation of H.H.Wilson, with the intention to enjoy the Vedic poetry and create a deeper relationship with Agni. The deeper meaning can be lost in direct word for word translation, and the poetry is lost in the commentary, so I have made a commentary within the poetry of the verse, based on my understanding and with devotion to the deity being invoked and worshiped.
Agni is said to take the offerings to the gods (by burning them and transforming them to the other realm). It is said that he wanted a break and had to run away and hide. This sūkta starts with Agni in hiding, and the invocation for his return. Parāśara, in the Ṛgveda (I.65-66) says that,
All the gods followed his footprints looking for him, as he is the one that carries all offerings to them and whom they all sit near to. They search everywhere so that the earth became like heaven (as all the gods were looking for Agni). [As we search for him, what are we looking for? Who is this Agni who is a Vedic god?]
Agni is grateful as one who is nourished, vast as the Earth, productive [as a farm], [strong and powerful] as a mountain, delightful as fresh water, [full of energy] like a horse charging in battle, he is unstoppable as a great stream.
[As the burning fire,] he is like a relative to the waters, as a brother [cares] for his sister. He destroys his enemies like he consumes a forest, and spreads quickly by the wind burning the earth.
[As the fire of the Sun,] he is sleeping in the waters like a swan, and awakening at dawn, [as the solar fire of the mind] he restores consciousness to humans. He is the creator [as the whole world only exists because of the fire of the Sun], and like the Moon [that makes vegetation and food grow, the solar fire is the impetus], and this rising solar fire becomes enlarged as it rises and spreads light everywhere.
[As the fire of motivation to get things done,] Agni is like wondrous wealth [that has the power to accomplish], he is like the all-surveying Sun [as the power of judgement and reason], like the vital breath [in how fire invigorates], like a good child [who makes the parents proud], like a good vehicle [that takes you places], like a milking cow [nourishing and bringing prosperity], Agni is pure and radiant.
He is the protective energy like a secure mansion, he [is the digestive fire that] nourishes like barely, he [is the fiery will that] overcomes hostility, he is [the fire of insight of the] sages, he is [the fire of devotion] in worshippers, he is [the fire of prestige] among eminent people, he is the [wild fire in a] spirited horse, and he walks delighted to the place of ritual. May this Agni bless us with nourishment and prosperity.
Agni of insatiable brightness, like the ritualist's spiritual power, an ornament to all, like a good spouse in the home having a wonderful lustre. Like a great chariot in battle, like a terrifying army sent [against the enemy], like the sharp arrow of an archer [which when released attains its goal]. Agni [as the fire of transformation] is all that is born and that will be born. He is the [fire of passion as] lover of maidens, and the [fire of duty as the] husband of wives.
Let us approach ‘THAT’ blazing Agni with offerings, just as we return home at the end of a day. His flames move about like running streams of water and merge with the radiant sky.
[So many forms of Agni have been called forth- but at the end of the sūkta, the sage Parāśara says we offer to “THAT Agni,” meaning that all the previous elements are all part of this one archetypal energy. Agni (as a Vedic god) is the theanthropocosmic (god, human, earthly reality) in one presence. After all the elements and/or functions of fire are invoked separately (as this is how the human mind must call these attributes forth), the sage then affirms they are all facets of Agni, and to that single deity we here praise and make offerings, as regularly, daily, and perpetually as going home.]
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