In the sacred gatherings of mortals, Agni, the radiant flame, shone in his own abode, pure in his vow and destroyer of all who would restrain the path of truth. Invoked with devotion, he rose up, delighting in the rich offerings of ghee, for which the ladles were readied with care. When thus called upon, Agni, worthy of praise, blazed forth, his form anointed with clarified butter, his presence sanctified by the ladle’s touch. As ghee was poured, Agni’s face grew sweet as honey, his brightness undimmed, his radiance filling the sacrificial space. Even as he aged, the carrier of offerings to the gods burned ever brighter, called upon by mortals who sought his favor. Though immortal, Agni received the worship of mortals, honored with ghee as the inviolable lord of the household. With his invincible flame, he was asked to burn away the demons, to stand as the guardian of truth. Agni, with his shining face, drove away sorcerers and shone brilliantly in the spacious abodes. In these vast halls, mortals kindled him with hymns, recognizing him as the most fit for sacrifice among men, the true carrier of offerings. In the midst of such sacred acts, a mind stirred with longing and wonder: “May I obtain a cow, a horse,” it mused, “perhaps I may drink of Soma.” Thoughts fluttered like the restless wind, excited and intoxicated—perhaps this, too, was the effect of Soma. The mind soared, swift as horses drawing a chariot, and again the thought arose: perhaps this is Soma’s doing. Thought approached, gentle as a cow seeking her calf; wisdom was sought, as a craftsman circles his work, the heart yearning for understanding—ever the refrain, “perhaps this is the effect of Soma.” No five tribes could restrain such a mind, nor could both worlds or another wing hold it back; it felt the power of Soma. The mind felt itself surpass the sky and the vast earth, imagining it could place the earth here or there at will, or shake and dry it up—so potent was the effect of Soma. One wing stretched to the sky, the other reached below; the self was mighty, exalted, stirred with power, all under the influence of Soma. Adorned and triumphant, the mind returned home, the carrier of offerings for the gods, marveling at the wonder of Soma. Amidst all beings, there arose one who was greatest of all, from whom was born the fierce, splendid, heroic one. Newly born, he overcame his enemies at once, and all the powers of creation delighted in him. Growing in might, abundant in strength, he brought fear to foes for the sake of his servants, protecting and nourishing them, honored in joyous assemblies. All chose his wisdom, and his powers arose again and again, twice, thrice, releasing the sweetest joys. He contended with the honeyed ones, his sweetness unmatched. The sages praised him as the conqueror of wealth and joy, urging him to be strong, bold, and firm, praying that no harmful spirit would defeat him. With him, victory was assured in battles, his many acts of war witnessed by all. His weapons were urged on by words, his energies strengthened with prayer. The many-shaped, mighty, unconquered one, helper of helpers, was praised; by his power, he revealed seven gifts and many forms. He placed the lower and the higher, providing shelter for all at home. He established the mothers, set the moving things in motion, and drove forth many swift creatures. Hymns born of Bṛhaddiva, wise and radiant, were declared for Indra, the foremost bringer of light, ruler of the great lineage, self-ruling, who opened distant places and granted protection. Thus, Bṛhaddiva, the great descendant of Atharvan, spoke of Indra as his very self. The sisters, daughters of Mātarishvan, approached without enmity, and by Indra’s might, they incited and strengthened him. In the beginning, there arose the Golden Embryo, the one lord of all that exists. Born as the ruler, he established the earth and the heavens. To which god, then, should we offer our oblation? He, the giver of soul and strength, whom all the gods obey, whose command they follow, whose shadow is immortality and whose shadow is death—to which god shall we offer our oblation? By his greatness, he alone is king of all that breathes and blinks, ruling over both bipeds and quadrupeds. To which god shall we offer our oblation? The snowy mountains and the ocean with its rivers declare his greatness, his arms stretch across all directions. To which god shall we offer our oblation? He made the mighty heavens and the firm earth, established the sky and fixed the vault, measuring out the midspace. To which god shall we offer our oblation? The two wide worlds, trembling, looked upon him with their mind as he upheld them by his power, where the sun rises and shines. To which god shall we offer our oblation? When the mighty waters, bearing the universal germ, brought forth Agni, from them arose the one god of the gods. To which god shall we offer our oblation? He, in his greatness, beheld the waters, bearing creative power, generating sacrifice. He alone is the god above the gods. To which god shall we offer our oblation? May he not harm us, the creator of the earth, who brought forth the true law in the heavens, who also created the shining and mighty waters. To which god shall we offer our oblation?