With the purest clarified butter as his radiant face, Agni is kindled, steadfast in truth, like a faithful friend. When he is awakened, he shines brilliantly among the gathered people, his flames leaping upward, inspiring and uplifting our thoughts. Agni, we call upon you to protect us with your ever-vigilant, tireless, and blessed guardians—those who remain with us and those who have passed on. With your invincible, uninjured, and chosen protectors, those who never sleep, safeguard our kin on every side. The Hotṛ, the priest, emerges, upholding the sacred law of his calling, his mind filled with luminous thought. He approaches the ladles, veiled in the southern direction, which first touch his sacred dwelling. The milkers of the immortal, enclosed in the womb and seated in the god’s abode, come forth. Once they settle upon the lap of the waters, they partake of the offering, flowing with the streams. Desiring unity, they reveal their form, sharing a common purpose and dividing the offering among themselves. Then, like the god Bhaga, who is worthy of the sacrifice, the bearer gathers the reins, and the charioteer holds them together. The two, who are to be worshipped together, are born of the same womb, dwelling as a pair like day and night—one is ancient, the other ever young, moving ceaselessly and ageless through the generations of men. Ten inspired thoughts urge Agni forward; we mortals call upon the god for help. On the sloping bow, he advances, newly prepared, accompanied by those who skillfully move ahead. Agni, you truly rule over the divine and, by your very nature, guard the earth like a herdsman. The broad, splendid golden ladles stretch out the sacred grass before you. Agni, accept our words and delight in them. Gracious and self-powered, born of truth, wise one—you who turn everywhere, visible and wondrous in form, a joy to behold, like a father’s dwelling—may you find pleasure in our praise. Ask of him, for Agni has come; he knows, he is wise, advancing and withdrawing at will. In him dwell the sacred commands and the offerings; he is the lord of strength, power, and vigor. Many question him, but none can fully comprehend him; the wise grasp with their own minds. His first and last word is never denied; he remains steadfast in will, unshaken. To him come those who offer, to him the swift ones, for he alone hears all our words. He is sent forth in many ways, accomplishing the sacrifice flawlessly—the eager child who takes up the work. When he moves to the place of offering, newly born, he joins those who are yoked for the task. The shining ones touch the eager Agni with joy as they approach the well-prepared seat. Like a wild beast set in the forest, his skin placed on the altar, Agni, wise and knower of truth, speaks skillfully to mortals. I praise Agni, three-headed and seven-rayed, flawless, seated at the lap of his parents. Resting in his firm and ever-moving course, he fills all the shining regions of the sky. The mighty bull, ever-young and exalted, advances with great power, placing his foot on 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, tireless, measuring the paths, bearing all signs upon their vast bodies. The wise and the poets lead the way, each guarding the undying with diverse hearts. Seeking knowledge, they beheld the river, and for them, the sun became visible among men. Agni is to be beheld, worthy of vision at the boundaries, to be invoked for greatness, for the life of the child. For he, the Sun, appeared in many places, most visible from the wombs, O generous one. O Agni, how have the shining ones served you with offerings, eager for rewards? When, in both family and offspring, the gods, upholding the song of truth, have rejoiced. Hear me, youngest one, O mighty, self-sustaining, abundant in offerings. He who follows you, he who praises you, your worshipper—your form I honor, O Agni. Those guardians, O Agni, not of my kin, seeing the darkness, were protected from harm; you preserved those righteous ones, all-knowing, while the envious and hostile did not prevail. Whoever opposes us—whether wrongdoer or enemy—let the powerful spell turn back upon him; cleanse our form from evil words. If any mighty, wise mortal harms another with deceit, protect the one who praises and worships you, O Agni; let no harm befall us. When Mātariśvan churned him forth, the all-divine Hotar, pervading all waters, men placed him among the tribes, shining, radiant, splendid in form. My thoughts, Agni, are for your protection and for mine, always giving yet never exhausted. May all your deeds be accepted, as the poet upholds the praise. Even in the eternal dwelling, the worshipful ones have established him with praises. They lead forth the streams, holding the desired like horses eager for the chariot. The wondrous one breaks through many things with his jaws; he shines in the forest, radiant. His flame follows the wind like a sharpened spear, stretching to the days. No rivals or adversaries, even those in the womb, can disturb him; the blind and unseeing cannot harm him by their approach; the eternal guardians have protected him. He, lord of great wealth, seeks the path of the generous, of treasure; the stones approach him as he comes to the place of pressing. The bull among men, renowned in both worlds, lives full of praise, advancing and settling in the womb. He, who has emerged from the stronghold, shines forth, the wise one, like a cloud, never far away; like the sun, he moves with a hundredfold strength. The twice-born one, shining, stands in all three luminous realms, filling all spaces, the most fitting Hotar in the seat of the waters. He is that Hotar, twice-born, who has established all desirable things for glory; the mortal who offers him pressed Soma finds delight. Many times have I spoken to you, O Agni, as a giver, for you are truly ours; like a shelter from the strong, come to our greatness. Not even the loud, wealthy, or angry can overcome you; you never abandon those who seek you, nor do you forsake the godless. May we, O Agni, become followers of your favor, wise and shining, most powerful in the heavens. Like Mitra, whom the wise have generated among cows for the wealth of cattle, in assemblies, and in the waters—may the two worlds, trembling in strength and voice, respond to the beloved, worshipful support of beings. When you two, much-invoked by the Soma-offering worshipper, like Mitras, have taken your place by your own nature, you grant wisdom, you are praised for the path, and you, mighty ones, are renowned as guardians of the home. To you, O mighty ones, the peoples declare the birth of heaven and earth for your great skill. When you bear the immortal and the righteous, you, the Hotars, guide the worship with wisdom.