As dawn breaks and the sacred ritual begins, the worshippers call upon Agni, the roaring fire, to ascend with the offering for sovereignty. They pray that, with Agni’s blazing presence and the generosity of the gods, they themselves may rise above the obscuring mist, just as the sun outshines darkness. Kindled and radiant, Agni is summoned to bring the gods to the place of offering. The ancient thread of sacrifice is extended for the worshipper who has pressed the Soma, weaving the ritual into the timeless order. Agni is invited to the ghee-laden, honey-sweet offering, prepared by the wise sacrificer who seeks his favor, by the devoted worshipper whose heart is pure. Agni, pure and wondrous, desires to taste the honeyed sacrifice. Alongside him, Narāśaṃsa is invoked, descending thrice from heaven, a god among gods. Agni is asked to bring Indra, splendid and beloved, to the ritual, for the thoughts and prayers are directed to him, the eloquent one. Those who spread the sacred grass and prepare the seat for the gods are honored, as the most god-favored shelter is chosen for Indra—a broad, protective space. The great, immortal ones are invited to go forth to the gods, and the pure, much-desired divine doors are opened wide in all directions. Night and Dawn, adorned and splendid, approach together—the two youthful mothers of truth. They are invited to sit with favor on the sacred grass, joining the assembly. The divine Hotars, those wise and careful priests, are called to perform the sacrifice swiftly, reaching to the heavens with their sweet tongues. Among the gods, the Hotar stands pure, set among the Maruts. Bhāratī, Ilā, Sarasvatī, and Mahī are invited to sit on the sacred grass, worthy of honor. Tvaṣṭṛ, the wondrous, all-protecting, many-formed deity, is prayed to spread out widely for wealth and nourishment, as support and foundation. The gods, by their own power, send forth the divine ones, and Agni, wise among gods, gladly receives the offerings. Pūṣan, the Maruts, all the gods, Vāyu, and Gāyatra are honored with oblations, and the offering to Indra is made with Svāhā. Indra is called to the offerings, to hear the call and bring favor, for he is invoked at the sacrifice. A mighty, fresh hymn of praise is raised for Agni, the son of strength, with words and thought. The beloved Hotar, together with the Vasus, establishes himself as the priest on earth. Born in the highest heaven, Agni became visible for Mātariśvan; by his will and the act of kindling, his flame made heaven and earth shine. Agni’s fierce, unfailing rays are beautiful, lovely in form and shining. His flames, ever-young and never ceasing, shine forth like swift rivers. The Bhṛgus, wise and knowing all, chose Yama as the navel of the earth, the support of the world. Agni is praised in homes, shining alone like Varuṇa, kingly and wealthy. Agni’s sound is unmatched, like the roaring of the Maruts or a heavenly thunderbolt. He devours and carries off with his jaws and sharp teeth, like a warrior subduing enemies. The worshippers ask if Agni, the hero who delights in praise, will grant them wealth and fulfill their desires with treasures. May his impulse urge their thoughts to success, and with pure face, he is praised with inspired mind. Kindled with clarified butter as his face, Agni, firm in truth, shines as a friend in the gatherings, sending forth bright flames and uplifting thought. Agni is asked to protect with unfailing, unwearied, and blessed guardians—those who have not departed and those who have; with unassailable, uninjured, chosen ones, and those who do not sleep, guard the kin on every side. The Hotṛ comes forth, upholding the law of his craft, raising high his radiant thought. He approaches the ladles, wrapped in the south, which first touch his abode. The milkers of the immortal have approached, enclosed in the womb, seated in the god’s place; when settled on the lap of the waters, they partake of the offering, moving with the streams. Desiring to unite, they display their form, sharing the same aim and distributing it among themselves. Then, like Bhaga, worthy of the offering, the bearer gathers the reins, the charioteer holds them together. The two, born of the same womb, dwell together as a pair—like day and night, one old, one young, ever moving, ageless through generations. Ten inspired thoughts urge Agni on; mortals call the god for help. On the slope of the bow he moves, newly prepared, advancing with those who go forward with skill. Agni truly rules over the divine and guards the earthly, like a herdsman. The broad, splendid golden ladles stretch out the sacred grass. Agni is asked to accept and delight in the word offered; gracious, self-powered, born of truth, wise and wondrous in form, a delight to behold, like a father’s dwelling. He is wise, advancing and withdrawing, holding the commands and offerings, lord of strength, power, and vigor. Though questioned, none can fully grasp him; the wise one holds all with his mind. His first and last word is not denied; he stands firm in will, unshaken. To him the offerers come, to him the swift ones; he alone hears all words. Sent forth in many ways, Agni accomplishes the sacrifice, flawless, eager, taking up the work. When he moves, newly born, attending at the place of offering, he takes up the work with those yoked; they touch the eager one in joy as the shining ones approach the well-placed seat. Set in the forest like a wild beast, his skin placed on the altar, Agni, wise and knower of truth, speaks to mortals with skill. Agni is praised as three-headed, seven-rayed, flawless, seated at the lap of his parents. In the firm, moving course, he fills all the shining regions of the sky. The mighty bull, ever-young and exalted, advances with power, setting his foot upon the summit of the broad earth; his reddish streams swell forth from his udder. The cows, moving together, circle around their common calf. Everywhere the excellent milkers wander, unwearied, measuring the paths, bearing all signs upon their great bodies. The wise, the poets, lead the path, each guarding the undying with diverse hearts. Seeking to know, they beheld the river; for them, the sun became visible among men. Agni is to be beheld, worthy of vision among the boundaries, invoked for greatness, for the child to live; for he, the Sun, appeared in many places, most visible from the wombs, O generous one. Finally, the worshippers ponder: How, O Agni, have the shining ones served you with offerings, eager for prizes? When, in both family and offspring, the gods, upholding the song of truth, have rejoiced. Thus, the sacred story unfolds—Agni at the heart of the ritual, the gods gathered, offerings made, and prayers rising, all woven together in the eternal light of Sanātana Dharma.