He who truly understands the kindling of this sacred fire, established with the Kshatriya, must set its place with care—if he neglects and does not seat it at the navel, he is destined for death. Yet, for the one who knows this secret and honors Agni’s name, neither wandering spirits nor misfortune can touch him; the Kshatriya, in his wisdom, secures long life. Agni, the divine fire, stands upon the sky, upon the earth, indeed upon the entire world. The mountains remain steadfast in their places, and the horses, symbols of strength and movement, are set firmly as well. To the one who knows the path upward, the journey forth, and the way of return—the true protector—I call and invoke his presence. O Jatavedas, turn back to us! May hundreds and thousands return to you, and through your favor, may we be restored again and again. With this being, with this offering, may you be fulfilled once more. May the wife brought into the home be increased in essence and virtue. May she flourish with nourishment, may she prosper, and may both husband and wife, radiant and wealthy, remain unharmed. Tvashtar, the divine craftsman, created the wife and made you her husband; may he grant you a thousand years together, and bless you with long life. May the Lord of the Cloud, mighty and watchful, protect us and guard our households from discord. O Lord of the Cloud, sustain our strength at home, and bring us abundance and wealth. You, god of resounding might and a thousandfold prosperity, are our ruler—grant us a share of your bounty and let our devotion to you never waver. He soars through the midspace, proclaiming all beings. To you, O divine one, for your great power, we offer this oblation. There are three dark ones stationed in the sky like gods; I call upon them for aid and for our unharmed protection. Your birth is in the waters, your seat in the sky, your greatness extends through ocean and earth; to you, O divine one, for your great power, we offer this oblation. You are the restrainer, holding back with your hands, driving away the demons. The restraining hand arises, grasping offspring and wealth. O restraining hand, hold firm the womb for bearing children; place the son within the boundary and return him to us, time and again. That restraining hand, which Aditi bore out of her longing for a son, was fastened upon her by Tvashtar, binding the child to be born. I accept the name of the one who has come and approaches; I seek the favor of Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, Vāsava of a hundred powers. By the path Sāvitrī led the Sun, and the Aśvins led the way, Bhaga spoke to me: “Carry off a wife.” O Indra, your goad, bestower of wealth, great and golden—by that may a wife be won; grant her to me, O lord of strength. Let disease fall away—cast off like a bird from its nest. May the Sun bring healing, may the Moon draw out affliction. One is pale, one is dark, one is red, and two are roan; I call upon all these by name—O destroyers of men, depart! The woman in labor, the one afflicted, shall cast off disease; the one with a swollen throat and the one with a goiter shall be healed. Accept this offering of mine, made with focused mind and svāhā. To those for whom there is a seat of terror, I offer this for the release of the bound. Though people call you Earth, I know you all around as Nirṛti. Become possessed of oblation among beings; this is your share among us—release these here from sin, svāhā. Thus, O Nirṛti, may you be freed from sin for us; break the iron bonds, and let Yama return you to me. To Yama, to Death, be homage. O iron one, O wooden one, O pierced one, named among a thousand deaths—may you ascend to the highest heaven with Yama and the ancestors. This Varana tree, the divine Lord of the forest, wards off evil. Whatever illness has entered this one, the gods have driven it away. By the command of Indra, Mitra, and Varuna, and by the word of all the gods, we ward off illness. As the waters held back Vritra, restraining his might, so too, with Agni and Vaisvanara, do I ward off illness from you. The mighty Indra is the bull of heaven, this one is the bull of earth—be the single bull of all that exists. The ocean is lord of flowing streams, Agni is master of earth, and the moon is lord of the stars—be you the single bull among them. You are the sovereign of the gods, the leader of men, your share among the gods is secure—be you the single bull. I have brought you forth from within; stand firm, unmoving, so that all people may desire you and your rule never falter. Remain here, do not depart; stand as firm as a mountain. Like Indra, stand steady and uphold your rule. Indra upheld this firmness with his offering; to him Soma and Brahmanaspati declared their support. Heaven is firm, earth is firm, and all this world is firm; the mountains are steadfast, and the king of the people is firm. Varuna is a firm king, Brihaspati is firm; may Indra and Agni together uphold your rule securely. O firm and unshaken one, strike down your enemies and subdue those hostile to you; may all directions unite in purpose, and may your assembly be established firmly.