An Invocation

Hail to Thee, O Powers of the South. Greetings to Thee, O Corner of great Fire and Passion. Vesta, Hertha, Brigid, Agni, Apollo, Bel. Deities of Flame, Thou art Deities of love. At Thy desire and blessing the Sun brings forth life anew. Let the heat of Fire embrace us and give us passion and growth. Guard our Circle. Come and bear witness that we perform our Rites in the spirit of ages past. Blessed Be.

Agni, or the Fire

Lighted Agni flames forth high,
Flings a radiance on the sky,
And his lustre, glorious, bright,
Mingles with the morning light.
And Visvavārā chants her holy prayer,
Faces the east, and brings her gifts to Fire!

Lord of Eternity! Lord of skies!
Presiding Lord of sacrifice!
Agni! Whoso worships thee,
By him with thy blessings be!
Whose blazing altar sacred Agni lights, --
Affluence dwells with him and pious rites.

Agni! On the altar shine,
Flames and radiance bright be thine!
Grant us wealth with thy red flame,
Quell our foes, increase our fame!
Invest our homes with blessings from above,
And link our men and wives in bonds of love!

Agni! On the altar shine,
Flames and radiance bright be thine!
And I lift my pious hymn
To thy bright effulgent beam!
Bounteous god! Red lustre e'er be thine,
Flame on our altar, glorious and divine!

With pious hands we light thy flame,
With pious lips we chant thy name!
Invoke unto our sacrifice
The glorious bright gods of the skies!
For thou art Priest in every pious rite,
And makest gifts to gods with radiance bright!

Then let us unto Agni pray,
And he our offerings will convey!
And let us unto Agni sing,
And he the radiant gods will bring!
Priest and God! to thee we humbly pray,
Our pious offerings to the gods convey!

by Romesh Chunder Dutt

Hail, Ye Guardians of the South, we thank Thee for Thy presence here tonight. Ere Ye return to Thine own pleasant realms, we bid Thee hail, and farewell! Blessed Be.