History of Dharmashastra (Ancient and Mediaeval Religious and Civil Law in India) v7.c91.235.2

v7.c91.235.2

There is no direct reference to ṛṣis here (but to naraḥ) and what is emphasized is that mantras already extant as the heart's outpourings enable the reciters of the mantras to find him (Agni) There is nothing to show that the mantras referred to in the verse are meant to be *impromptu*, the idea is rather that mantras that already existed and conveyed heartfelt devotion have to be employed to find Agni The very next verse makes the position clear when it says, 'like the unborn (Sun) he (Agni) supports the wide earth and fixes in its place the sky on account of the mantras that turn out true'. This clarifies two things, viz. that when this mantra (I 67. 3) was recited there already existed a host of mantras¹⁶⁰⁷ and secondly, that the mantras that existed long before were deemed to have helped in supporting the earth and the sky. The ancient mantras were supposed to bring Indra to attend thrice in the day for a short time to the sacrifices of devotees when invoked with mantras addressed to him (Ṛg. III. 53 8), similarly, mantras when recited by wise men bring Yama to receive offerings (Ṛg X 14. 4); Ṛg. X 88 14 states 'we raise our voices with mantras towards Vaiśvānara Agni, who is wise and who shines brilliantly all days'. The word mantra¹⁶⁰⁸ is also employed in the singular several times.