To Agni

I magnify Agni, the Purohita, the divine ministrant of the sacrifice, the Hotri priest, the greatest bestower of treasures. Agni, worthy to be magnified by the ancient Rishis and by the present ones—may he conduct the gods hither. May one obtain through Agni wealth and welfare day by day, which may bring glory and high bliss of valiant offspring. Agni, whatever sacrifice and worship thou encompassest on every side, that indeed goes to the gods. May Agni the thoughtful Hotri, he who is true and most splendidly renowned, may the god come hither with the gods. Whatever good thou wilt do to thy worshipper, O Agni, that work verily is thine, O Angiras. Thee, O Agni, we approach day by day, O god who shinest in the darkness; with our prayer, bringing adoration to thee who art the king of all worship, the guardian of Rita, the shining one, increasing in thy own house. Thus, O Agni, be easy of access to us, as a father is to his son. Stay with us for our happiness.

I praise Agni, the Purohita, the divine minister of the sacrifice, the Hotri priest, the greatest giver of treasures. Agni deserves praise from both the ancient Rishis and those of today. May he bring the gods here. Through Agni, may we gain wealth and well-being day by day. May these bring glory and the great joy of brave children. Agni, whatever sacrifice and worship you surround on every side truly reaches the gods. May Agni, the thoughtful Hotri, who is true and most gloriously renowned, come here with the gods. Whatever good you may do for your worshipper, Agni, that work is truly yours, Angiras. We approach you day by day, Agni, god who shines in the darkness. We come with prayer, bringing you our adoration. You are the king of all worship, the guardian of Rita, the shining one, growing in your own house. So, Agni, be as easy for us to approach as a father is for his son. Stay with us for our happiness.

We implore with well-spoken words the vigorous Agni who belongs to many people, to the clans that worship the gods, whom other people also magnify. Men have placed Agni on the altar as the augmenter of strength. May we worship thee, rich in sacrificial food. Thus be thou here to-day gracious to us, a helper in our striving for gain, O good one! We choose thee, the all-possessor, as our messenger and as our Hotri. The flames of thee, who art great, spread around; thy rays touch the heaven. The gods, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, kindle thee, the ancient messenger. The mortal, O Agni, who worships thee, gains through thee every prize. Thou art the cheerful Hotri and householder, O Agni, the messenger of the clans. In thee all the firm laws are comprised which the gods have made. In thee, the blessed one, O Agni, youngest god, all sacrificial food is offered. Sacrifice then thou who art gracious to us to-day and afterwards, to the gods that we may be rich in valiant men.

With well-chosen words, we call on mighty Agni, who belongs to many peoples, to the clans who worship the gods. Other peoples also praise him. People have placed Agni on the altar as the giver of greater strength. May we worship you, rich in sacrificial food. So be kind to us here today, good one, and help us as we strive for gain. We choose you, who possess all things, as our messenger and our Hotri, the priest who offers sacrifices. Your mighty flames spread out, and your rays reach heaven. The gods Varuna, Mitra, and Aryaman kindle you, the ancient messenger. The mortal who worships you, Agni, wins every prize through you. You are the joyful Hotri and head of the household, Agni, the messenger of the clans. Within you are all the unchanging laws the gods have made. In you, the blessed one, Agni, youngest god, all sacrificial food is offered. Then offer sacrifice to the gods, you who are kind to us today and in the days to come. Do so that we may have many valiant men.

Him, the king, verily the adorers approach reverentially. With oblations men kindle Agni, having overcome all failures. Destroying the foe, they victoriously got through Heaven and Earth and the waters; they have made wide room for their dwelling. May the manly Agni, after he has received the oblations, become brilliant at the side of Kanva; may he neigh as a horse in battles. Take thy seat; thou art great. Shine forth, thou who most excellently repairest to the gods. O Agni, holy god, emit thy red, beautiful smoke, O glorious one! Thou whom the gods have placed here for Manu as the best performer of the sacrifice, O carrier of oblations, whom Kanva and Medhyâtithi, whom Vrishan and Upastuta have worshipped, the winner of prizes. That Agni's nourishment has shone brightly whom Medhyâtithi and Kanva have kindled on behalf of Rita. Him do these hymns, him do we extol. Fill us with wealth, thou self-dependent one, for thou, O Agni, hast companionship with the gods. Thou art lord over glorious booty. Have mercy upon us; thou art great.

The worshippers approach him, the king, with reverence. Having overcome all failures, men kindle Agni with offerings. Destroying the enemy, they passed victoriously through Heaven and Earth and the waters. They have made ample room for their dwelling. May the manly Agni shine brightly beside Kanva after receiving the offerings. May he neigh like a horse in battle. Take your seat. You are great. Shine forth, you who go to the gods most excellently. O Agni, holy god, send out your beautiful red smoke, O glorious one! The gods have placed you here for Manu as the best performer of the sacrifice, O carrier of offerings. Kanva and Medhyâtithi, Vrishan and Upastuta have worshipped you, the winner of prizes. The nourishment of Agni has shone brightly. Medhyâtithi and Kanva have kindled him for Rita. These hymns praise him, and we praise him too. Fill us with wealth, you who depend on yourself, for you, O Agni, are a companion of the gods. You are lord over glorious spoils. Have mercy on us. You are great.

Stand up straight for blessing us, like the god Savitri, straight a winner of booty, when we with our worshippers and with ointments call thee in emulation with other people. Standing straight, protect us by thy splendor from evil; burn down every ghoul. Let us stand straight that we may walk and live. Find out our worship among the gods. Save us, O Agni, from the sorcerer, save us from mischief, from the niggard. Save us from him who does us harm or tries to kill us, O youngest god with bright splendor! As with a club smite the niggards in all directions, and him who deceives us, O god with fiery jaws. The mortal who makes his weapons very sharp by night, may that impostor not rule over us. Agni has won abundance in heroes. Agni and the two Mitras have blessed Medhyâtithi. Agni has blessed Upastuta in the acquirement of wealth. Through Agni we call hither from afar Turvasa, Yadu, and Ugradeva. May Agni, our strength against the Dasyu, conduct hither Navavâstva, Brihadratha, and Turvîti.

Stand tall to bless us, like the god Savitri. Stand tall as a winner of spoils when we call on you with our worshippers and ointments, competing with others. Standing tall, protect us from evil with your splendor. Burn down every ghoul. Let us stand tall so that we may walk and live. Seek out our worship among the gods. Save us, O Agni, from the sorcerer, from mischief, and from the miser. Save us from anyone who harms us or tries to kill us, O youngest god of bright splendor! Strike the misers in every direction as with a club, along with anyone who deceives us, O fiery-jawed god. May the mortal who sharpens his weapons at night, that impostor, never rule over us. Agni has won an abundance of heroes. Agni and the two Mitras have blessed Medhyâtithi. Agni has blessed Upastuta in gaining wealth. Through Agni we call Turvasa, Yadu, and Ugradeva here from afar. May Agni, our strength against the Dasyu, lead Navavâstva, Brihadratha, and Turvîti here.

Manu has established thee, O Agni, as a light for all people. Thou hast shone forth with Kanva, born from Rita, grown strong, thou whom the human races worship. Agni's flames are impetuous and violent; they are terrible and not to be withstood. Always burn down the sorcerers, and the allies of the Yâtus, every ghoul.

Manu has established you, O Agni, as a light for all people. You have shone forth with Kanva, born from Rita and grown strong, worshipped by the human races. Agni's flames are fierce and violent. They are terrifying and cannot be resisted. Always burn down the sorcerers, the allies of the Yâtus, and every ghoul.

We choose Agni as our messenger, the all-possessor, as the Hotri of this sacrifice, the highly wise. Agni and Agni! again they constantly invoked with their invocations, the lord of the clans, the bearer of oblations, the beloved of many. Agni, when born, conduct the gods hither for him who has strewn the sacrificial grass; thou art our Hotri, worthy of being magnified. Awaken them, the willing ones, when thou goest as messenger, O Agni. Sit down with the gods on the Barhis. O thou to whom Ghrita oblations are poured out, resplendent god, burn against the mischievous, O Agni, against the sorcerers. By Agni Agni is kindled, the sage, the master of the house, the young one, the bearer of oblations, whose mouth is the sacrificial spoon. Praise Agni the sage, whose ordinances for the sacrifice are true, the god who drives away sickness. Be the protector, O Agni, of a master of sacrificial food who worships thee, O god, as his messenger. Be merciful, O purifier, unto the man who is rich in sacrificial food, and who invites Agni to the feast of the gods. Thus, O Agni, resplendent purifier, conduct the gods hither to us, to our sacrifice and to our food. Thus praised by us with our new Gâyatra hymn, bring us wealth of valiant men and food. Agni with thy bright splendor be pleased, through all our invocations of the gods, with this our praise.

We choose Agni as our messenger, the one who possesses all, and as the deeply wise Hotri of this sacrifice. Again and again they called, “Agni, Agni!” They constantly invoked the lord of the clans, the bearer of offerings, beloved by many. Agni, when you are born, bring the gods here for the man who has spread the sacrificial grass. You are our Hotri, worthy of praise. Awaken the willing gods when you go as messenger, Agni. Sit with the gods on the Barhis, the sacrificial grass. Radiant god, to whom offerings of Ghrita, clarified butter, are poured, burn against those who do harm, Agni, against sorcerers. Through Agni, Agni is kindled: the sage, the master of the house, the young one, the bearer of offerings. His mouth is the sacrificial spoon. Praise Agni the sage, whose rules for sacrifice are true, the god who drives away sickness. Agni, protect the master of sacrificial food who worships you, O god, as his messenger. Be merciful, purifier, to the man who has abundant sacrificial food and invites Agni to the gods’ feast. So, Agni, radiant purifier, bring the gods here to us, to our sacrifice and our food. Praised in this way with our new Gâyatra hymn, bring us wealth in brave men and food. Agni, with your bright splendor, be pleased with our praise throughout all our invocations of the gods.

With reverence I shall worship thee who art long-tailed like a horse, Agni, king of worship. May he, our son of strength, proceeding on his broad way, the propitious, become bountiful to us. Thus protect us always, thou who hast a full life, from the mortal who seeks to do us harm, whether near or afar. And mayest thou, O Agni, announce to the gods this our newest efficient Gâyatra song. Let us partake of all booty that is highest and that is middle; help us to the wealth that is nearest. O god with bright splendor, thou art the distributor. Thou instantly flowest for the liberal giver in the wave of the river, near at hand. The mortal, O Agni, whom thou protectest in battles, whom thou speedest in the races, he will command constant nourishment: Whosoever he may be, no one will overtake him, O conqueror Agni! His strength is glorious. May he, known among all tribes, win the race with his horses; may he with the help of his priests become a gainer. O Garâbodha! Accomplish this task for every house: a beautiful song of praise for worshipful Rudra. May he, the great, the immeasurable, the smoke-bannered, rich in splendor, incite us to pious thoughts and to strength. May he hear us, like the rich lord of a clan, the banner of the gods, on behalf of our hymns, Agni with bright light. Reverence to the great ones, reverence to the lesser ones! Reverence to the young, reverence to the old! Let us sacrifice to the gods, if we can. May I not, O gods, fall as a victim to the curse of my better.

With reverence I will worship you, Agni, king of worship, whose tail is long like a horse’s. May he, our son of strength, travel his broad path, bringing good fortune, and become generous to us. You who are full of life, always protect us from any mortal seeking to harm us, near or far. And may you, O Agni, present our newest powerful Gâyatra song to the gods. Let us share in all the spoils, both the highest and the middle ranks. Help us gain the wealth nearest at hand. O brightly shining god, you are the one who distributes gifts. For the generous giver, you flow at once in the river’s wave, close at hand. O Agni, the mortal you protect in battle and speed along in races will always have nourishment. Whoever he may be, no one will overtake him, O conquering Agni! His strength is glorious. May he, known among all tribes, win the race with his horses. May he prosper with the help of his priests. O Garâbodha! Complete this task for every house: create a beautiful song of praise for Rudra, who is worthy of worship. May he, great and immeasurable, with smoke as his banner and rich in splendor, inspire us to devotion and strength. May Agni, brightly shining, the banner of the gods, hear our hymns like the wealthy lord of a clan. Honor to the great ones, honor to the lesser ones! Honor to the young, honor to the old! Let us offer sacrifices to the gods, if we can. O gods, may I not fall victim to the curse of someone above me.

I press on for you with my prayer to the all-possessing messenger, the immortal bearer of offerings, the best sacrificer. He, the great one, knows indeed the place of wealth, the ascent to heaven; may he conduct the gods hither. He, the god, knows how to direct the gods for the righteous worshipper, in his house. He gives us wealth dear to us. He is the Hotri; he who knows the office of a messenger, goes to and fro, knowing the ascent to heaven. May we be of those who have worshipped Agni with the gift of offerings, who cause him to thrive and kindle him. The men who have brought worship to Agni, are renowned as successful by wealth and by powerful offspring. May much-desired wealth come to us day by day; may gains arise among us. He, the priest of the tribes, the priest of men, pierces all hostile powers by his might as with a tossing bow.

I press forward on your behalf with my prayer to the messenger who possesses all things. He is the immortal bearer of offerings, the best at performing sacrifices. The great one truly knows where wealth lies and the way up to heaven. May he bring the gods here. He, the god, knows how to guide the gods to the righteous worshipper’s house. He gives us wealth we cherish. He is the Hotri, the priest who presents offerings. He knows a messenger’s duties and travels back and forth, knowing the way up to heaven. May we be among those who have worshipped Agni with offerings, who nourish him and kindle him. The men who have worshipped Agni are renowned for their success in gaining wealth and powerful offspring. May the wealth we long for come to us day by day. May our gains increase. He, the priest of the tribes, the priest of men, pierces all hostile powers with his might, like a brandished bow.

He has brought down the wisdom of many a worshipper, he who holds in his hand all manly power. Agni has become the lord of treasures, he who brought together all powers of immortality. All the clever immortals when seeking did not find the calf though sojourning round about us. The attentive gods, wearying themselves, following his footsteps, stood at the highest, beautiful standing-place of Agni. When the bright ones had done service to thee, the bright one, Agni, with Ghrita through three autumns, they assumed worshipful names; the well-born shaped their own bodies. Acquiring for themselves the two great worlds, the worshipful ones brought forward their Rudra-like powers. The mortal, when beings were in discord, perceived and found out Agni standing in the highest place. Being like-minded they reverentially approached him on their knees. Together with their wives they venerated the venerable one. Abandoning their bodies they made them their own, the one friend waking when the other friend closed his eyes. When the worshipful gods have discovered the thrice seven secret steps laid down in thee, they concordantly guard with them immortality. Protect thou the cattle and that which remains steadfast and that which moves. Knowing, O Agni, the established orders of human dwellings, distribute in due order gifts that they may live. Knowing the ways which the gods do, thou hast become the unwearied messenger, the bearer of oblations. They who knew the right way and were filled with good intentions, beheld from heaven the seven young rivers and the doors of riches. Saramâ found the strong stable of the cows from which human clans receive their nourishment. The Earth has spread herself far and wide with them who are great in their greatness, the mother Aditi, for the refreshment of the bird, with her sons who have assumed all powers of their own dominion, preparing for themselves the way to immortality. When the immortals created the two eyes of heaven, they placed fair splendor in him. Then they rush down like streams let loose. The red ones have recognized, O Agni, those which are directed downwards.

He has brought down the wisdom of many worshippers. He holds all manly power in his hand. Agni has become the lord of treasures. He brought together all the powers of immortality. All the clever immortals searched but did not find the calf, though it was staying among us. The watchful gods wore themselves out following his footsteps. They stood at Agni’s highest, beautiful resting place. The bright ones served you, the bright one, Agni, with Ghrita for three autumns. Then they took on names worthy of worship. The well-born shaped their own bodies. The ones worthy of worship gained the two great worlds for themselves and brought forth their Rudra-like powers. When beings were in conflict, the mortal saw and discovered Agni standing in the highest place. United in thought, they approached him reverently on their knees. Together with their wives, they honored the one worthy of honor. They abandoned their bodies and made them their own. One friend stayed awake when the other closed his eyes. When the gods worthy of worship discover the three times seven secret steps laid down in you, they act together. With those steps, they guard immortality. Protect the cattle, all that stays still, and all that moves. O Agni, you know the established order of human homes. Distribute gifts in the proper order so that people may live. You know the paths the gods follow. You have become the tireless messenger who carries offerings. Those who knew the right path and were filled with good intentions looked down from heaven. They saw the seven young rivers and the doors to riches. Saramâ found the strong cattle shelter from which human clans receive their nourishment. The Earth, mother Aditi, has spread far and wide with those who are great in their greatness. She has done so to refresh the bird, together with her sons. Her sons have taken on all the powers of their own rule, preparing their way to immortality. When the immortals created heaven’s two eyes, they placed beautiful splendor in him. Then they rush down like streams released. O Agni, the red ones have recognized those that are directed downward.

Forward goes your strength tending heavenward, rich in offerings, with the ladle full of ghee. To the gods goes the worshipper desirous of their favor. I magnify with prayer Agni who has knowledge of prayers, the accomplisher of sacrifice, who hears us, and in whom manifold wealth has been laid down. O Agni, may we be able to bridle thee the strong god; may we overcome all hostile powers. Agni, inflamed at the sacrifice, the purifier who should be magnified, whose hair is flame—him we approach with prayers. With his broad stream of light the immortal Agni, clothed in ghee, well served with oblations, is the carrier of offerings at the sacrifice. Holding the sacrificial ladles, performing the sacrifice they have with right thought, pressingly brought Agni hither for help. The Hotri, the immortal god goes in front with his secret power, instigating the sacrifices. The strong is set at the races. He is led forth at the sacrifices, the priest, the accomplisher of sacrifice. He has been produced by prayer, the excellent one. I have established him, the germ of beings, forever the father of Daksha. I have laid thee down, the excellent one, with the nourishment of Daksha, O thou who art produced by power, O Agni, thee the resplendent one, O Usig. The priests, eager to set to work the Rita, kindle with quick strength Agni the governor, him who crosses the waters. I magnify the child of vigor at this sacrifice, who shines under the heaven, the thoughtful Agni. He who should be magnified and adored, who is visible through the darkness, Agni, the manly, is kindled. Agni, the manly, is kindled, he who draws hither the gods like a horse. The worshippers rich in offerings magnify him. We the manly ones will kindle thee the manly god, O manly Agni, who shinest mightily.

Your strength moves forward toward heaven, rich in offerings, with a ladle full of ghee. The worshipper goes to the gods, seeking their favor. With prayer I praise Agni, who understands prayers, carries out the sacrifice, and hears us. Many kinds of wealth have been stored in him. O Agni, may we be able to bridle you, the strong god. May we overcome all hostile powers. We approach Agni with prayers as he blazes at the sacrifice. He is the purifier who deserves praise, whose hair is flame. Immortal Agni carries the offerings at the sacrifice, spreading his broad stream of light. He is clothed in ghee and well supplied with offerings. Holding the sacrificial ladles and performing the sacrifice with right thought, they have urgently brought Agni here for help. The Hotri, the immortal god, goes ahead with his hidden power, setting the sacrifices in motion. The strong one is placed at the races. He is led out at the sacrifices as the priest who carries out the sacrifice. He, the excellent one, has been brought into being through prayer. I have established him as the seed of living beings, forever the father of Daksha. I have set you down, the excellent one, with the nourishment of Daksha. O Agni, born of power, you are the radiant one, O Usig. The priests are eager to put the Rita into action. With swift strength they kindle Agni, the ruler who crosses the waters. At this sacrifice I praise the child of vigor, the thoughtful Agni, who shines beneath heaven. Agni, the manly one, is kindled. He deserves praise and worship and can be seen through the darkness. Agni, the manly one, is kindled, drawing the gods here like a horse. The worshippers, rich in offerings, praise him. We, the manly ones, will kindle you, the manly god, O manly Agni, who shines so powerfully.

Produce thy stream of flames like a broad onslaught. Go forth impetuous like a king with his elephant, thou art an archer; shoot the sorcerers with thy hottest arrows. Thy whirls fly quickly. Fiercely flaming touch them. O Agni, send forth with the ladle thy heat, thy winged flames; send forth unfettered thy firebrands all around. Being the quickest, send forth thy spies against all evildoers. Be an undeceivable guardian of this clan. He who attacks us with evil spells, far or near, may no such foe defy thy track. Rise up, O Agni! Spread out against all foes! Burn down the foes, O god with the sharp weapon! When kindled, O Agni, burn down like dry brushwood, the man who exercises malice against us. Stand upright, strike the foes away from us! Make manifest thy divine powers, O Agni! Unbend the strong bows of those who incite demons against us. Crush all enemies, be they relations or strangers. He knows thy favor, O youngest one, who makes a way for a sacred speech like this.

Send out your stream of flames like a sweeping assault. Charge forward like a king with his elephant. You are an archer. Shoot the sorcerers with your hottest arrows. Your swirling flames fly swiftly. Touch the sorcerers with your fierce flames. O Agni, use the ladle to send out your heat, your winged flames. Let your firebrands fly freely in every direction. As the swiftest, send your spies against all evildoers. Guard this clan, and let no one deceive you. Whoever attacks us with evil spells, far or near, may no such enemy defy your path. Rise up, O Agni! Spread out against all enemies! Burn down your enemies, O god with the sharp weapon! When your fire is kindled, O Agni, burn the man who acts maliciously against us like dry brushwood. Stand tall and drive our enemies away! Reveal your divine powers, O Agni! Unstring the strong bows of those who stir up demons against us. Crush all enemies, whether relatives or strangers. Whoever opens the way for a sacred prayer like this knows your favor, O youngest one.

Mayest thou beam forth to his doors all auspicious days and the wealth and the splendor of the niggard. Let him, O Agni, be fortunate and blessed with good rain, who longs to gladden thee with constant offerings and hymns through his life in his house. May such longing ever bring auspicious days to him. I praise thy favor; it resounded here. May this song, which is like a favorite wife, awaken for thee. Let us brighten thee, being rich in horses and chariots. Mayest thou maintain our knightly power day by day. May the worshipper here frequently of his own accord approach thee, O god who shinest in darkness, resplendent day by day. Let us worship thee sporting and joyous, surpassing the splendor of other people. Whoever, rich in horses and rich in gold, approaches thee, O Agni, with his chariot full of wealth—thou art the protector and the friend of him who always delights in showing thee hospitality. Through my kinship with thee I break down the great foes by my words.

May you shine upon his doors with all fortunate days and the wealth and splendor of the miser. O Agni, may the man who longs to please you be fortunate and blessed with good rain. He longs to please you with constant offerings and hymns throughout his life in his home. May such longing always bring him fortunate days. I praise your favor. My praise rang out here. May this song, like a beloved wife, awaken for you. Let us, rich in horses and chariots, make you shine brighter. May you sustain our warrior strength day by day. May the worshipper here often approach you freely, O god who shines in darkness, radiant day by day. Let us worship you playfully and joyfully, surpassing the splendor of other people. Whoever is rich in horses and gold and approaches you, O Agni, with a chariot full of wealth, you protect. You are the protector and friend of the one who always delights in welcoming you as a guest. Through my kinship with you, I defeat great enemies with my words.

That kinship has come down to me from my father Gotama. Be thou attentive to this our word, O youngest, highly wise Hotri, as the friend of our house. May those guardians of thine, infallible Agni, sitting down together protect us, the never sleeping, onward-pressing, kind, unwearied ones, who keep off the wolf, who never tire. Thy guardians, O Agni, who seeing have saved the blind son of Mamatâ from distress—He the possessor of all wealth has saved them who have done good deeds. The impostors, though trying to deceive, could not deceive. In thy companionship we dwell, protected by thee. Under thy guidance let us acquire gain. Accomplish both praises, O thou who art the truth! Do so by thy present power, O fearless one! May we worship thee, O Agni, with this log of wood. Accept the hymn of praise which we recite. Burn down those who curse us, the sorcerers. Protect us, O god who art great like Mitra, from guile, from revilement, and from disgrace.

That kinship has come down to me from my father Gotama. Listen to our words as the friend of our house, O youngest and wisest Hotri. May your guardians sit together and protect us, unfailing Agni. They never sleep, always press forward, and are kind and tireless. They keep the wolf away and never grow weary. Your watchful guardians, O Agni, have saved the blind son of Mamatâ from distress. He who possesses all wealth has saved those who have done good deeds. Though the impostors tried to deceive, they could not. We live in your companionship, protected by you. Under your guidance, let us prosper. Fulfill both praises, you who are the truth! Do so through your present power, fearless one! May we worship you, O Agni, with this log of wood. Accept the hymn of praise we recite. Burn down those who curse us, the sorcerers. Protect us, O god who is great like Mitra, from deceit, abuse, and disgrace.

Bright, flaming, like the lover of the Dawn,⁸ he has, like the light of the sky, filled the two worlds of Heaven and Earth which are turned towards each other. As soon as thou wert born thou hast excelled by thy power of mind; being the son of the gods thou hast become their father. Agni is a worshipper of the gods, never foolish, always discriminating; he is like the udder of the cows; he is the sweetness of food. Like a kind friend to men, not to be led astray, sitting in the midst, the lovely one, in the house; like a child when born, he is delightful in the house; like a race-horse which is well cared for, he has wandered across the clans. When I call to the sacrifice the clans who dwell in the same nest with the heroes, may Agni then attain all divine powers. When thou hast listened to these heroes, no one breaks those laws of thine. That verily is thy wonderful deed that thou hast killed, with thy companions, all foes; that, joined by the heroes, thou hast accomplished thy works. Like the lover of the Dawn, resplendent and bright, of familiar form: may he thus pay attention to this sacrificer. Carrying him they opened by themselves the doors of heaven. They all shouted at the aspect of the sun.

Bright and flaming, like the lover of the Dawn,⁸ he has filled both worlds, Heaven and Earth, like the sky’s light. These two worlds face each other. As soon as you were born, you excelled through the power of your mind. Though you are the son of the gods, you have become their father. Agni worships the gods, never foolish and always discerning. He is like the udder of cows. He is the sweetness of food. He is like a kind friend to people, one who cannot be led astray. Lovely, he sits in the middle of the house. Like a newborn child, he brings delight to the house. Like a well-cared-for racehorse, he has wandered among the clans. When I call to the sacrifice the clans who share a nest with the heroes, may Agni gain all divine powers. When you have listened to these heroes, no one breaks your laws. This is truly your wonderful deed: with your companions, you have killed all enemies. Joined by the heroes, you have accomplished your works. Like the lover of the Dawn, radiant and bright, with a familiar form, may he attend to this sacrificer. Carrying him, they opened the doors of heaven by themselves. They all shouted at the sight of the sun.

Like unto excellent wealth, like unto the shine of the sun, like unto living breath, like unto one's own son, like unto a quick takvan Agni holds the wood, like milk, like a milch cow, bright and shining. He holds safety, pleasant like a homestead, like ripe barley, a conqueror of men; like a Rishi uttering sacred shouts, praised among the clans; like a well-cared-for race-horse, Agni bestows vigor. He to whose flame men do not grow accustomed, who is like one's own mind, like a wife on a couch, enough for all happiness. When the bright Agni has shone forth, he is like a white horse among people, like a chariot with golden ornaments, impetuous in fights. Like an army which is sent forward he shows his vehemence, like an archer's shaft with sharp point. He who is born is one twin; he who will be born is the other twin—the lover of maidens, the husband of wives. As cows go to their stalls, all that moves and we, for the sake of a dwelling, reach him who has been kindled. Like the flood of the Sindhu he has driven forward the downward-flowing waters. The cows lowed at the sight of the sun.

Agni is like great wealth, like the sun's light, like the breath of life, like one's own son. Like a swift takvan, he holds the wood, bright and shining, like milk, like a milk cow. He holds safety, pleasant as a home, like ripe barley, a conqueror of men. He is like a Rishi raising sacred cries, praised among the clans. Like a well-cared-for racehorse, Agni gives strength. Men never grow used to his flame. He is like one's own mind, like a wife on a couch, enough for every happiness. When bright Agni shines forth, he is like a white horse among people. He is like a chariot decorated with gold, fierce in battle. Like an army sent forward, he shows his force, like an archer's sharp-pointed arrow. He who is born is one twin. He who will be born is the other twin, the lover of maidens, the husband of wives. As cows go to their stalls, all that moves and we ourselves approach the kindled Agni for a dwelling. Like the flood of the Sindhu, he has driven forward the waters flowing downward. The cows lowed at the sight of the sun.

The Hotri goes forward in order to fulfil his duty by his wonderful power, directing upwards the brightly adorned prayer. He steps towards the sacrificial ladles which are turned to the right, and which first kiss his foundation. They have greeted with shouts the streams of Rita which were hidden at the birthplace of the god, at his seat. When He dwelt dispersed in the lap of the waters, he drank the draughts by the power of which he moves. Two beings of the same age try to draw that wonderful shape towards themselves, progressing in turns towards a common aim. Then he is to be proclaimed by us like a winner in a contest. The charioteer governs all things as if pulling in the reins of a draught-horse. He whom two beings of the same age serve, two twins dwelling together in one common abode, the gray one has been born as a youth by night as by day, the ageless one who wanders through many generations of men. The prayers, the ten fingers stir him up. We, the mortals, call him, the god, for his protection. From the dry land he hastens to the declivities. With those who approached him he has established new rules. Thou indeed, O Agni, reignest by thy own nature over the heavenly and over the terrestrial world as a shepherd takes care of his cattle. These two variegated, great goddesses striving for gloriousness, the golden ones who move crookedly, have approached thy sacrificial grass. Agni! Be gratified and accept graciously this prayer, O joy-giver, independent one, who art born in the Rita, good-willed one, whose face is turned towards us from all sides, conspicuous one, gay in thy aspect, like a dwelling-place rich in food.

The Hotri steps forward to fulfill his duty through his wondrous power, directing the brightly adorned prayer upward. He approaches the sacrificial ladles, which turn to the right and first kiss his foundation. They have shouted greetings to the streams of Rita, hidden at the god’s birthplace, at his seat. When he lived scattered in the lap of the waters, he drank the draughts that give him power to move. Two beings of the same age try to draw that wondrous form toward themselves. They take turns moving toward a common goal. Then we must proclaim him like the winner of a contest. The charioteer rules all things as if drawing in the reins of a draft horse. Two beings of the same age serve him, twins living together in one home. The gray one has been born as a youth, by night as by day. He is ageless and wanders through many generations of men. The prayers and the ten fingers stir him to life. We mortals call on him, the god, for protection. From the dry land he hurries to the slopes. With those who approached him, he has established new rules. Agni, by your very nature you rule over the heavenly and earthly worlds, as a shepherd cares for his cattle. These two great goddesses of many colors strive for glory. The golden goddesses, moving along winding paths, have approached your sacrificial grass. Agni! Take pleasure in this prayer and graciously accept it, giver of joy, independent one, born in the Rita. You are kindly disposed, with your face turned toward us from every side. You stand out, cheerful in appearance, like a home rich in food.