In the ancient times, Agni, the sacred fire, revealed himself with mighty force, as stormy and powerful as the Maruts. He roared through fertile fields and barren lands alike, swift and unstoppable, gathering offerings and marking the signs of sacrifice. Worthy of worship, Agni delighted in these rituals, and all people, filled with joy, followed his radiant path, as if traveling a splendid road. When the devoted Bhrigus, skilled in worship, praised Agni and churned him into being, they established him as the pure foundation and lord of riches. The wise entrusted their cherished treasures to Agni, knowing his purity and wisdom would preserve them. Agni was invoked as the lord of all peoples, the common master and companion of humanity. As the honored guest in every home, like a loving father with an ever-steady seat, Agni received the offerings brought by the immortals—the birds who carried gifts to the gods. Agni’s might was unmatched; vigorous and born for divine service, he was the wealth of the gods. His exhilaration was supreme, his will splendid. The undying ones, always attentive, circled Agni, ever-calling and ever-hearing. In every dwelling, Agni was praised as the great, mighty herdsman, the Hotar at the forefront, roaring like a bull among seers, the strongest among them. With offerings, he was present everywhere. To Agni, prayers were offered for clear vision and wise counsel, for great wealth and abundance. The mighty one was asked to grant heroic strength to his praisers, bestowing power as a fierce protector. Born in the abode of men, Agni was the most fitting Hotar, following the law of the Usij and his own sacred law. Heard by all and beloved as a friend, his fame and wealth spread far and wide. The blameless Hotar sat surrounded in the place of offering. Sent forth on the path of truth, Agni was honored with reverence and offerings, bringing nourishment like a tireless helper. He was the god’s light, brought by Mātariśvan from afar to Manu. Agni circled the earth again and again, roaring like a bull, depositing his seed in the forests. With a hundred eyes, he observed all, placing his seat upon the heights and summits. Wise in counsel, Agni served as the house-priest, perceiving rituals and sacrifices by his will. Desired by all, he observed every being, and from his richness in ghee, the guest—the fire—was born. When people sought Agni’s strength, as they did the Maruts, for enjoyment and help, he apportioned gifts and wealth by his measure. He protected them from evil, curses, and harm. The universal benefactor, Agni, placed all delight in his right hand. His glory never failed. Among the gods, oblations were prepared for him, offerings brought to him. For those who acted well, Agni opened the path and doors. Agni was the most auspicious in human gatherings, established as a lord in sacrifices, beloved and revered. He ruled over offerings made with devotion, protecting people from the yoke of Varuṇa and the great god. People sought Agni as the priest, the giver of wealth, the most active and dear. He was set as the carrier of offerings, established by the gods as the all-knowing, all-wise, worshipful priest and sage, the delightful bestower of wealth. Turning to Indra, the hymns invoked him as a guide, leading even distant souls unharmed, making minds and steeds obedient for the desired goal. The wise prayed for faultless speech, seeking wisdom. Indra was called in every battle, with skill, for help and victory. He who won with heroes and sages received the prize from the lords, strong as a well-bred steed. Indra filled the skin with strength, covering mortals with glory and protection. Prayers were offered for Indra, Rudra, Mitra, Varuṇa, and the gracious gods. Indra was sought for strength as a friend, all-pervading and victorious in battles. Prayers asked for his help in every contest, for he subdued every foe and overcame all enemies. With swift and powerful prayers, people bowed down any hostility, asking Indra to lead them as before, remove ancestral offenses, and for Agni to come to them. Indra’s praises were declared as offerings, shaking the demons like arrows. Indra was asked to strike down enemies with weapons, conquer the evil-minded, and let ill-wishers melt away like water. By priesthood and inspired song, people sought wealth, heroic power, and good counsel. They approached Indra with true and glorious invocations, seeking his favor. Indra, with his own glorious aids, brought distinction, scattering assemblies of the evil-minded and destroying those who sought harm. Hostile ones were struck down, never rising again. Indra, with unfailing wealth, went before people on their paths, driving away demons. He accompanied them on distant and near journeys, protecting them always with his aids. With wealth, Indra subdued the mighty, seen as a great friend and protector. He guided the chariot, and it was wished that harm would fall only on those who wished harm, not on the righteous. Indra, well-praised, was asked to protect from the envious, always driving away the evil-minded. As slayer of evil and protector of the inspired, he was not to abandon his devotees, for he was begotten as the slayer of demons and benefactor. Indra was called to come from afar, like a true lord to gatherings and like the sun at its setting. Eager for the prize, people called him with pressed Soma, seeking strength as sons to a father. Indra was asked to drink the pressed Soma, poured into the vessel, like a thirsty calf at the udder. The bays were to bring him for intoxication, delight, and great strength, as all gods bring the sun. Indra found the hidden treasure in the sky, the embryo of truth wrapped in stone. Longing for the herd, he dispelled darkness like the Aṅgirases, opening the closed doors of the treasure. Holding the bolt, Indra struck like one splitting wood with an axe, slaying the serpent. Expanding with power, he felled obstacles like a carver fells a tree. Indra let the rivers flow freely for crossing, sending them toward the ocean like racing chariots. Guided by him, they moved together to their unfailing goal, like cows yielding milk for Manu and all people. Desiring wealth, skilled poets shaped their speech for Indra, like craftsmen fashioning a chariot, adorning him for contests and races, for strength and riches. Indra broke ninety fortresses for the Purus and Divodāsa, the great giver, with his thunderbolt. For Atithigva, he cast down Śambara from the mountain, distributing great wealth with his might. In battles, Indra protected the noble worshiper, victorious in assemblies, shining in contests where the prize was light. Upholding the law, he blinded the skin of the black one for Manu, fulfilling all desires with skill. The sun, born with great power, set the wheel in motion, sending forth speech at the beginning. When Uśanā came from afar for help, Indra granted all blessings to Manu, as Turvaṇa did for all. Indra, mighty and praised with new hymns for heroic deeds, shattered fortresses and protected through guardianship and strength. With the Divodāsas, praised, Indra grew in greatness like the sky with each passing day. For Indra, the mighty sky bowed down, and the earth widened with gifts of glory. All the gods placed Indra at the forefront, and all human offerings and gifts at sacrifices were dedicated to him. At every sacrifice, Indra was harnessed as the one bull, placed at the yoke of contests like a boat or raft. Priests sought him with hymns, desiring him with songs. Three pairs of helpers spread Indra out as the winner of the herd, the releaser of cattle. When two peoples gathered seeking cows and light, Indra revealed the mighty thunderbolt. The Purus knew Indra’s heroic deeds when he overthrew autumnal forts, conquering them. As lord of strength, he subdued mortals and non-sacrificers, heated the earth, measured the waters, and delighted in them. From the beginning, Indra’s heroic deeds were praised, especially when he aided the Usijs as a friend, making channels for them in battle. Seeking fame, they mingled one river with another, celebrating Indra’s greatness. Thus, the hymns tell of Agni and Indra, the mighty protectors, givers of wealth, and upholders of truth, whose deeds shine through all realms, honored by gods and men alike.