Among the gods, Agni was to be revealed, growing in beauty and strength amidst all beings. Upright and radiant even among the crooked, he shone with glory at the very heart of creation. At his birth, both wives of Tvaṣṭṛ trembled in awe, yet, facing him, they welcomed the lion among gods. The good and noble ones gathered to greet Agni. Cows and heifers, symbols of abundance, came together to him. Thus, he became the lord of all powers, approached by worshippers who brought their offerings with reverence and from the right, the auspicious side. Agni rose like Savitar, the sun, stretching out both arms, striving fiercely and coloring the two worlds with his energy. Ascending in brilliance, he moved among mortals, leaving behind the garments of his mothers, shedding the veils of his origin. He fashioned a splendid form above, mingling in the celestial abode with cows and waters. The sage, endowed with wisdom, purified the very foundation of the world, and this intelligence became the divine assembly, the sacred gathering of the gods. Agni’s domain was vast, encompassing the very foundation of the world, the radiant dwelling of the mighty. Kindled by all, he protected his devotees with unfailing guardianship, his own glories shining forth. He made a path for the streams across the desert, striking the earth with his shining waves. Within his belly he held all treasures, moving among the waters and the sources, the keeper of abundance. Thus, Agni, growing ever brighter with the offerings of the faithful, shone with pure radiance, his fame spreading far and wide. The people prayed that Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, the Sindhu river, Earth, and Heaven would never harm them, but instead grant their blessings. Agni was both ancient and ever-new. By his might, he upheld all wisdom from the very beginning. The waters, Mitra, and Dhiṣaṇā supported him, the generous giver of wealth. With the ancient invocation of wisdom, Agni generated the offspring of men. With the vision of Vivasvat, the shining one, the gods upheld Agni, the bestower of riches. He was worshipped as the foremost in sacrifice, called by the people and moving straight to his purpose. The son of strength, the bearer, the generous one—Agni was upheld by the gods as the giver of wealth. Mātariśvan, rich in gifts, found the path for his offspring, Agni, who became the guardian of all peoples and the creator of heaven and earth. The gods upheld him as the giver of wealth. Night and dawn, each with their own colors, nurtured Agni, the single child, together. Heaven and earth shone with golden light within him, and the gods upheld Agni, the giver of wealth. He became the very foundation of riches, the meeting place of treasures, the sign of sacrifice, and the fulfiller of thought. Guarding immortality, the gods upheld Agni, the bestower of wealth. Now and always, Agni was the dwelling of riches, for those born and yet to be born, for the earth itself. He guarded all that existed and all that was abundant, and the gods upheld him as the giver of wealth. Agni, giver of wealth, bestower of riches to the mighty, was praised by all. The people prayed: “Giver of wealth, grant us heroic food, bestow upon us long life.” So, Agni, radiant and pure, growing with our offerings, shine forth in fame. May Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven never harm us, but always protect us. The people called upon Agni to drive away their burning sins, to burn away their poverty and misfortune. With good fields, good paths, and wealth, they worshipped him, seeking the removal of all suffering. When Agni, the most generous, granted gifts to his devotees and their lords, they prayed for the removal of their burning sins. Whenever Agni’s lords were born, they wished to be born with him, to share in his blessings. When the rays of mighty Agni spread forth in all directions, the people prayed that he would drive away their burning sins. For Agni was all-faced, encompassing everything, able to ferry his devotees across the hatred of others as in a boat, carrying them to well-being, just as one crosses a river. May Agni, the Vaiśvānara, king and glory of all beings, favor the people. Born upon this earth, he beheld all the world and strove alongside the sun. Placed in the sky, stationed on earth, and present within all plants, Vaiśvānara, Agni, was set by force and power to guard his devotees from harm by day and night. The people prayed that the truth of Vaiśvānara would be with them, that generous ones would join their wealth to theirs, and that Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven would never harm them. To Jātavedas, the all-knowing Agni, they pressed Soma, for he, knowing all, burned away the hostile. They prayed he would carry them across all hardships, like a boat over a river, removing their misfortunes. Then, turning their thoughts to Indra, the mighty bull among the strong, sovereign of heaven and earth, the people invoked him, especially in battles. With the Maruts at his side, steadfast in truth, Indra’s unconquered might was likened to the course of the sun, slayer of Vṛtra in every conflict, most vigorous with his companions. For Indra, the paths flowed like streams from heaven, strengthened by his power. He crushed haters, unconquered in his manliness, and with the Maruts, he was the aid of his devotees. He was the foremost among the Angirases, the bull among bulls, friend among friends, singer among singers, eldest in wisdom and ways. With his sons, the Rudras, and the Ṛbhus, Indra was victorious over enemies, winning fame with his close allies. In contests, Indra, the doer of wrathful deeds, won the sun for his people. In every assembly, he was invoked to strike down foes, always accompanied by the Maruts. To him, helpers rallied in battle for the hero’s prize, and those seeking safety made their offerings. He alone was the lord of all action, the one to whom all turned for aid. Men sought Indra for strength during festivals, for help and wealth. Even in darkness, he knew the light of thought and inspired his worshippers. Indra guided with his left hand, restrained the bold, and gathered deeds with his right. Even among singers, he was the winner of wealth. He won victories with hosts and chariots, renowned among all peoples, overcoming curses with his manliness. Whether with kin or strangers, whenever Indra joined the battle, the people prayed that he, with the Maruts, would protect the offspring and descendants of men. He who bore the thunderbolt, destroyer of foes, formidable and mighty, of a thousandfold insight and a hundredfold aid—like a fierce one with strength—Indra, accompanied by the Maruts, was invoked as the protector of all.