In the sacred utterances of the Atharvaveda, a profound offering is made to the fires that dwell in all corners of creation. The fire that resides within Soma, within the gentle cows, the soaring birds, and the wild animals of the forests—the fire that pulses in both bipeds and quadrupeds—unto all these diverse forms of Agni, the offering is humbly presented. There is the fire that rides with mighty Indra in his chariot, the god Vaiśvānara, the all-conquering, victorious force who is invoked in times of battle. To this unconquered flame, too, the offering is made, recognizing his power to overcome all obstacles. The god who is known as the fulfiller of all desires, both giver and receiver, wise, mighty, and undefeated—he also receives this offering, for all these fires are but one in their essence. As the Hotar, the sacred priest, Agni is recognized by the thirteen worlds and the five races of men, celebrated for his brilliance, his fame, and his eloquence. To him, in all his forms, the offering is made. To the fire that cooks our food, that receives clarified butter, that partakes of Soma, to the wise and ancient Vaiśvānara, eldest among the fires, the offering is made again and again. There are fires that move through heaven, earth, and the mid-air, that flash as lightning, that dwell in the directions, and that ride upon the winds—unto all these ever-moving, all-pervading fires, the offering is extended. The invocation goes forth to Savitṛ with his golden hands, to Indra, Bṛhaspati, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Agni, to all the gods and the ancient Aṅgirasas, beseeching them to pacify Agni, the flesh-eater, whose hunger knows no bounds. May this flesh-eating Agni be appeased; may the one who seeks out people be pacified; may the all-conquering, ever-hungry fire be soothed and contented. Even the mountains, with Soma upon their backs, the waters and the broad rivers, the wind, Parjanya the rain-bringer, and Agni himself—all join together to pacify this flesh-eating force. A prayer rises for radiance and great fame, like the luminous glory of the elephant, to spread forth from the bodies of the Ādityas. May all the gods, united with Aditi, grant this radiance to the devotee. Let Mitra, Varuṇa, Indra, and Rudra be mindful; may all the gods, givers to all, bestow this luminous energy. It is by this radiance that the elephant shines, that the king among men and in the waters is resplendent, that the gods themselves first attained their divinity. By this same light, O Agni, may the devotee be made radiant today. O Jātavedas, whatever brilliance grows for you at the offering—equal to the sun’s glow and the mighty elephant’s splendor—may the Aśvins, adorned with lotus garlands, grant that same radiance. As far as the eye can see in all four directions, as far as vision extends, so far may vigor and strength reach, with the radiance of the elephant’s hand. Among all animals, the elephant stands as the strongest; with a portion of his radiance, the devotee anoints himself. With the strength that has been gained, harm is driven far away; all that is inauspicious is set aside, sent to a distant place. May a male embryo enter the womb, like an arrow into a quiver; may a heroic son, the ten-month child, be born here. Let a male child be born, and then another after him; may the mother be blessed with sons—those already born, and those yet to come. Whatever auspicious seeds the bulls generate, with those may the mother obtain a son; may she be fruitful, like a mother-cow. Procreative power is invoked for her; may an embryo enter her womb. May she obtain a son who brings joy, and may she be a loving mother to him. Heaven is the father, earth the mother, and the ocean the root of plants; may these divine herbs grant the knowledge and blessing of a son. Milky herbs are invoked, so that speech may be full and nourishing; among those full of milk, abundance by the thousands is brought forth. The milky grain, abundant and sacred, is known; its divine origin is invoked, even in the house of the non-sacrificer. Let the rains fall upon these five regions, upon the five peoples of men, bringing abundance and plenty like a great river. From the fountain that has a hundred and a thousand streams, unfailing and ever-flowing, may our grain be as abundant and inexhaustible. With a hundred hands, let the harvest be gathered; with a thousand hands, let abundance be scattered. For all that has been done and all that is being done, may plenty come here. Three measures belong to the Gandharvas, four to the housewives; with the most abundant of these, an anointing is performed. Upoha and Samūha, gatherers for Prajāpati, are invoked to bring abundance—much, unfailing plenty. The goad is called upon to stir action; the sleeper is urged to rise, pierced in the heart by the sharp arrow of desire. The arrow of desire, tipped with leaves and barbed with longing, is carefully aimed so that desire may pierce the heart. This well-formed arrow of desire, which dries up the spleen, sharp and pointed to the east, is sent straight to the heart. Pierced by this arrow, with parched mouth, the beloved is cautioned not to creep near, but to be gentle, free from anger, speaking kindly, devoted and faithful. The devotee acknowledges, “I am born from you, O offspring, from the mother and the father; may your intentions, O resolute one, be united with mine.” Mitra and Varuṇa are invoked to scatter her thoughts from her heart, so that, made without resolve, she may be brought under one’s control alone. To the gods in the eastern direction, called the Arrows, with Agni as their arrow, reverence, homage, and offerings are made, seeking their gracious speech and favor. To the gods in the southern direction, called the Poisoned Arrows, with Kāma as their arrow, reverence, homage, and offerings are made. To the gods in the western direction, called the Vairājas, with Water as their arrow, reverence, homage, and offerings are made. To the gods in the northern direction, called the Shooters, with Wind as their arrow, reverence, homage, and offerings are made. To the gods in the fixed direction, called the Nilimpas, with Plants as their arrows, reverence, homage, and offerings are made. To the gods in the upward direction, called the Vasvants, with Bṛhaspati as their arrow, reverence, homage, and offerings are made. Thus, in every direction, to every force and form, the offerings are made, the prayers are uttered, and the blessings of radiance, abundance, strength, and harmony are sought from the divine powers that pervade the universe.