To me, blessings have come in great abundance: ten chariots with brides, gifts from the generous Śyāva, arrived in procession. Sixty thousand cattle followed after them, and at the day’s end, the wealth of Kakṣīvant poured in, overflowing. At the head of the thousand, forty red horses belonging to the ten-charioted one led the way, swift and radiant. The steeds of Kakṣīvant, full of vigor and pouring out the exhilarating drink, outpaced all others. In the wake of these splendid gifts, I received more: garments, eight times yoked, and cows, all following the earlier generosity. My close friends, as dear as kin, the charioteers without wagons, have earned their fame. Among these gifts, a woman adorned and encircled like the girdle on a Kashi woman’s thigh, the Yaduri, bestowed upon me hundreds of delightful and swift treasures, plentiful and enjoyable. I invite you to come near and look upon me without scorn for my smallness. Though I am entirely hairy, like a ewe among the Gandharis, do not underestimate me. Now, I turn my mind to Agni, the Hotar, the generous and wealthy son of strength, the knower of all births. He is a sage, pure in his rites, full of divine compassion. As his flames follow the shining stream of ghee, he offers the clarified butter with devotion. We call upon you, Agni, most worthy of sacrifice, greatest among the Angirases, sage, guardian of the sky and Hotar of the peoples, with flaming hair and mighty strength, supported by the clans for help. Agni, radiant with strength and brilliance, destroys the foe like an axe, yet is not himself a destroyer for destruction’s sake. He overcomes and subdues whatever is firm, leading forth the unconquered in battle, even those who hide as in a dense forest. Strongholds yield to him; he knows the paths and, with his swift kindling-sticks, pierces all obstacles. Like a carpenter wielding his flame, he cuts even the firmest things with his strength. We meditate upon Agni’s brightness, shining even among the dark, more visible by night than by day. To him, as to a son, we seek shelter, for he grants protection to both the devoted and the undevoted, he is undying. Like a host as stormy as the Maruts, Agni roars mightily, swift through fertile and barren lands alike. He takes up the offerings, the sign of the sacrifice, and all men gladly follow his splendid path. When the Bhrigus, full of devotion, churned and praised him, Agni became the pure lord of riches, the foundation of all. Let this wise one keep the beloved treasures. We invoke you, Agni, lord of all peoples, companion of all, the guest of men like a father whose seat is never left. All immortals, the birds, carry the offerings to the gods through you. Agni, you are the most powerful and vigorous, born for divine service, the wealth for the gods. Your exhilaration and will are splendid, so the undying ones move around you, ever-hearing. May our praise reach you, great and mighty herdsman, Agni, present in every dwelling, at the forefront like a roaring bull among seers, the strong Hotar. Bring us, Agni, the nearest vision, with the gods and good counsel, and grant us great wealth. Bestow abundance and heroic strength upon your praisers, O mighty one. Agni is born in the homes of men, the most fitting Hotar, following the law of the Usij. He is heard by all, a friend, renowned as wealth is renowned. The blameless Hotar sits surrounded in the place of offering. We send him, fit for sacrifice, on the path of truth, with reverence and offerings for the divine portion. May he, who does not grow old, bring us nourishment, like a helper. Mātariśvan brought him from afar to Manu, the god’s light from distant realms. Thus, Agni moves around the earth, again and again, like a bull roaring, depositing his seed. With a hundred eyes, swift in the forests, he places his seat on the heights. Agni, wise in counsel, is the house-priest, perceiving the sacrifice and ritual by his will. Desired by all, he observes all beings. From him, rich in ghee, the guest, the wise fire, is born. When people seek his strength, for his help and enjoyment, he apportions gifts and wealth by his measure, protecting from evil, curse, and harm. The universal benefactor has placed all delight in his right hand; his glory never fails. For him, the oblation is prepared among the gods, the offering brought. For the doer of good, Agni opens the path and doors. He is most auspicious in human gatherings, established as lord in sacrifices, beloved and protective, ruling the offerings made with reverence. He shields us from the yoke of Varuṇa, the great god. People seek Agni as priest and giver of wealth, the most active and dear, carrier of offerings. The gods have established him, all-knowing and wise, the worshipful priest and sage, bestower of wealth. O Indra, you guide even the distant seeker as a charioteer toward wisdom, bringing him near and unharmed. For the desired goal, you make both mind and steed obedient. May the wise speech be ours. Hear us, Indra, called by men for help and victory in every battle. He who wins with heroes and sages is granted the prize, strong as a well-bred steed. You, Indra, fill the skin with strength and cover some with glory, protecting mortals. For you, for Rudra, Mitra, Varuṇa, and the gracious one, I speak. May Indra be ours for strength, a friend, all-pervading and victorious in battle. May our prayer call for his help in every contest, for no enemy overcomes him; he subdues all foes. With swift, powerful prayers and strong invocations, bow down any hostility, wherever it may be. Lead us, O hero, as before, removing all ancestral offenses. Fire, come to us. Now, I declare this for Indra, whose praise, like an arrow, shakes the demon. May he strike down our enemies with weapons and conquer the evil-minded, letting the ill-wisher melt away like water. May we win wealth, abundant riches, and splendid heroic power through priesthood and inspiration. May we turn ill-minded ones to good counsel and seek favor, approaching Indra with true, glorious invocations. May Indra, with his aids, bring us distinction and scatter the assemblies of the evil-minded, destroying those who approach with harm. Let the hostile be struck down and not rise again. Indra, with unfailing wealth, go before us, unhindered, driving away demons. Accompany us on distant and near ways, protecting us always with your aids. With your wealth, subdue the mighty, O Indra, our great friend and protector. Guide the chariot, O immortal one, and let harm fall on those who wish us ill, not on us. Protect us, O Indra, from the envious, always driving away the evil-minded. Do not abandon us, slayer of evil and protector of the inspired. For thus the creator has begotten you, benefactor and slayer of demons. O Indra, come to us from afar, like a true lord to the gatherings, like the sun to its setting. We call upon you, eager for the prize, with the pressed Soma, like sons to a father seeking strength. Drink the pressed Soma, Indra, poured into the vessel, delighting in its intoxication and strength, drawn by your bays as all gods bring the sun. You found the hidden treasure in the sky, the embryo of truth wrapped in stone. Longing for the herd, you, wielder of the bolt, dispelled darkness like the Aṅgirases, opening the closed doors of the treasure. With the bolt in your hands, you struck like one splitting wood, slaying the serpent. Expanding with might, you felled the foe like a carver with an axe. O Indra, you let the rivers flow freely, sending them racing to the ocean like chariots. By your guidance, they move together toward their unfailing goal, yielding their bounty to Manu and all people, like cows giving milk to all.