In the sacred gathering, the sacrificer prepares the altar with honey, marking the offering for Agni—the radiant fire, leader of the rite, wish-granter, and benefactor. Alongside Agni stands Savitṛ, the all-encompassing, invoked with reverence and clarified butter, as the desired fire is kindled and honored. The ladles, glowing in the ritual, are visible signs of Agni’s greatness, for it is he who receives the worship. Among the Vasus, swift and delightful forms become manifest, standing firm with those who bestow the earth’s gifts. The divine doors open, and all the gods uphold the sacred order of the householder, ensuring the ritual’s sanctity. As Agni’s wide-ranging radiance is praised, the dawns awaken, accompanied by priests, to guard the sacrifice as vigilant guardians protect a sacred rite. The divine priests raise the offering upward, and with Agni’s tongue, they seek blessings for well-being. Three revered goddesses—Idā, Sarasvatī, and mighty Bhāratī—are invited to sit upon the sacred grass, receiving praise. The assembly prays for wondrous and abundant blessings, asking Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine artisan, to distribute prosperity and wealth among those gathered. To the Lord of the Forest, a plea is made: release your hold, so that by your own power, Agni may, appeased, carry the offering to the gods. Agni, as Jātavedas, is called to perform the rite with the sacred invocation “svāhā,” so that Indra and all the gods may accept the oblation. The ritual proceeds with precise measure: nine breaths are apportioned for long life and a hundred autumns—three green, three silver, three iron, and three established by austerity. The deities—Agni, Sūrya, Candra, Earth, Waters, Sky, Atmosphere, the intermediate directions, and the quarters—are invoked, along with the seasons and their cycles, to carry the devotee safely across life’s journey with this triple measure. Three forms of nourishment, in triple measure, are invited to dwell here, with Pūṣan bringing milk and ghee, so that food, people, and cattle may abound. The Ādityas are asked to anoint with wealth, Agni to foster growth, Indra to grant strength, and the triple nourishment to settle within. The green one of the earth is entreated for protection, Agni for support with iron, and the herbs, united with silver, for skill and a cheerful mind. Gold, born in three ways, is recognized as offspring: one part beloved by Agni, one part pressed for Soma, and one part called the seed of the Waters—this triple gold is dedicated for life. The triple lifespans of Jamadagni and Kaśyapa, and the threefold vision of immortality, are invoked, conferring three lifespans upon the devotee. Three shining ones, united in a single syllable, become mighty, driving away death with immortality and concealing all evils. Protection is sought from above, in the middle, and below—from the green one of the sky, the silver one, and the iron one of the earth—echoing the ancient protection of the gods. These threefold protections are asked to guard on all sides, so that, shining, the devotee may stand superior to foes. The immortal, golden city of the gods is remembered, the one first pierced by the primal deity. Ten salutations are offered eastward, seeking approval for having pierced the triple protection. Aryaman, Pūṣan, and Bṛhaspati are called to bestow favor, and the name of the one born today is invoked for blessing. With the seasons and their proper times, for long life and radiance, and with the energy of the year, the devotee is strengthened. The ritual substance, smeared with ghee and mingled with honey, is made firm in the earth, unshaken and able to bear, breaking rivals and ensuring good fortune, never to rise but to remain for prosperity. Agni Jātavedas is harnessed at the front, called to carry forth the rite and to know all that is being done. As healer and maker of remedies, Agni is implored to grant cattle, horses, and people. United with all the gods, Agni is asked to protect, driving away those who have harmed or attacked, ensuring that such adversaries remain outside the boundary. Agni is urged to pierce the eyes and heart, to bind the tongue and break the teeth of the flesh-eating demon who threatens the community, destroying him utterly. Whatever has been stolen, eaten, or taken by demons, Agni is called to recover, restoring flesh to the body. No matter how the flesh was taken—raw, cooked, spotted, or overcooked—Agni is asked to drive away the demons and their kin, bringing freedom from disease. Whether in milk, curds, undercooked food, grain, or water; whether by day or night, or while lying in the bed of spirits, Agni is invoked to banish these demons, granting health and wholeness. Agni, the devourer of flesh, is entreated to destroy the blood-drinking demon and mind-stealer, with Indra striking down the foe and Soma severing his head. From ancient times, Agni has destroyed sorcerers; he is called to burn up flesh-eaters with their roots, never to be defeated by demons, and to ensure the divine weapon never misses its mark. Agni, as Jātavedas, is asked to gather all that has been lost, so that limbs may regrow and swell like the shoots of Soma, bringing health and vitality. The offerings are presented to Agni for binding the demons, and he is asked to accept them, so that those who seek to harm may abandon their form as flesh-eaters. Finally, a plea is made: “Return, return from afar, remain here, do not go, do not follow the forefathers. I bind your breath firmly for you.” Thus, with reverence and devotion, the ritual is completed, seeking protection, abundance, health, and the favor of the gods.