With reverence, the devotee approaches Agni, the sacred fire, seeking to set him free from all restraints. The straps, harness, and bindings are loosened, so that Agni may blaze forth without ceasing, his flame ever-bright. To Agni, who upholds the powers of the cosmos, the devotee yokes him through divine prayer, inviting Agni to shine in their midst, bestowing wealth and blessings, and to speak kindly as the faithful offer oblations to the gods through him. The gods, gathering in greatness at the new moon, apportioned a share to Agni. By that very share, the devotee prays for protection over their sacrifice, seeking from the all-encompassing one both wealth and noble offspring. The new moon itself declares, “I am the new moon; the virtuous dwell within me; in me, the gods and the Sādhyas, with Indra as their chief, have assembled.” Night descends, a gatherer of treasures, bringing strength and nourishment as she moves among the riches. With oblations, the devotee honors the new moon, who bestows strength in abundance, like milk flowing from a generous cow. On the night of the new moon, the all-pervading one alone has created all forms. The devotee offers up their desires, praying that they be fulfilled and that mastery over wealth be granted. As the full moon rises, complete behind and before, triumphant in her fullness, she dwells among the gods in greatness. The devotee rejoices with offerings on the summit of heaven, celebrating the full moon, the vigorous bull, and prays for inexhaustible, ever-increasing wealth. Once more, it is declared: none but the Lord of creatures has fashioned all these forms. The desires offered are to be fulfilled, and the wish is made to become masters of wealth. The full moon, surpassing all other nights, was the first to be worthy of sacrifice. Those who honor her with offerings, the virtuous, enter heaven. The cycle of time is revealed in the play of two children, moving forward and back by their mysterious power, circling the ocean of existence. One surveys all beings; the other arranges the seasons, and each is reborn anew. Ever fresh, the radiant moon is born again and again, heralding the days and coming first with the dawn. As she moves, she distributes the divine share to the gods and grants long life. The moon is a portion of Soma, lord of battles, and bears the name “not lacking.” The devotee prays to be not lacking in offspring or wealth. The moon is the new moon, the visible one, the whole and complete one. The devotee yearns to be made whole and complete, endowed with cows, horses, offspring, cattle, houses, and wealth. Should there be any who harbor hatred, or whom the devotee hates, the moon is beseeched to fill them with her breath, so that all may be filled with abundance—cows, horses, offspring, homes, and wealth. Those whom the gods, together with Soma, make to thrive—whom the immortals nourish—may Indra, Varuṇa, and Bṛhaspati, guardians of the world, cause the devotee to thrive alongside them. The hymn is offered, well-praised and cattle-bringing, seeking auspicious riches. The gods are invoked to lead the sacrifice, letting streams of ghee, sweet with honey, flow forth. At the forefront, Agni is received, together with sovereignty, brilliance, and strength. Offspring and life itself are placed within, with the exclamation “Svāhā!”—in Agni. Agni is asked to establish wealth, to prevent the destroyers of old intent from taking him away. With sovereignty, Agni is to have good control, and his worshipper, unwearied, is to grow for him. Agni, the Knower-of-beings, followed after all the Dawns, day after day, pursuing the rays of the Sun and entering heaven and earth. He shone forth before all the Dawns, spreading the rays of the Sun in many ways, extending over heaven and earth. To Agni, ghee belongs in his heavenly seat; Manu has kindled him with ghee today. The divine Daughters of the Sky are called to bring him ghee, and the cows are to yield ghee for Agni. In the waters resides the golden, measured abode of King Varuṇa. From there, the king of firm vows is invoked to release all bonds. From bond to bond, Varuṇa is asked to free the devotee, who calls upon the waters and Varuṇa for release. The highest snare is to be lifted, the lowest loosened, and the middle untied, so that, in Varuṇa’s law, the devotee may, sinless, belong to Aditi. All Varuṇa’s snares, above and below, are to be released, evil dreams and misfortune driven away, so that the devotee may reach the world of the righteous. Jātavedas, immortal and glorious Agni, unassailable upholder of sovereignty, is invoked to shine forth, releasing all illnesses among men and protecting life with blessings. Indra, born with strength and power, the bull among peoples, has driven away the hostile and made wide space for the gods. Like a fearsome beast roaming the mountains, Indra is called from afar, to fit the sharp arrow to the bow, strike down the enemies, and scatter the foes. The strong one, yoked by the gods—Tārkṣya, bearer of might, overcomer of chariots, swift in battle—is summoned for well-being. Indra the protector, helper, ever-invoked hero, is called upon at every turn. The generous Indra is asked to grant well-being. Homage is paid to Rudra, who dwells in Agni, within the waters, in plants and herbs, and who has shaped all these worlds. The enemy is addressed: “Depart, for you are an enemy. Poison, do not mingle or unite with poison. Depart as a snake; strike him.” The devotee seeks the heavenly waters, mixing with their essence, and prays for the arrival of milk-rich Agni, wishing his radiance not to be diminished. Agni is asked to release radiance, offspring, and long life, that the gods, Indra, and the sages may know the devotee’s lightning. The waters are invoked to carry away all that is harmful or impure—deceit, falsehood, or curse. Fuel and kindling, brightness itself, are called upon to place that brilliance within the devotee. As in ancient times, what is hidden like a vow is to be cut away; the strength of the servant subdued. What has been gathered is divided with Indra’s wealth, and the shining brilliance is weakened with Varuṇa’s vow. As curses depart and women are freed from misfortune, as the knotted root of the Shankura is loosened, so too may what is stretched be released and what is raised be laid down. Thus, through prayer and offering, the devotee seeks release, abundance, and blessing from the divine powers that pervade all things.