They sought to question him, yet none could fully grasp his nature; only the wise, with subtle minds, could perceive a glimmer of his truth. His word—beginning and end—remained unassailable, for he stood firm, unwavering in will. To this one, the offerers and the swift came eagerly, for he alone heard every word of praise. Sent forth in many forms, flawless and ever eager, the child of the sacrifice took up the sacred work, fulfilling each rite. When he moved to the place of offering, newly born, he joined the yoked ones, taking up the task with joy. The shining deities, delighted, touched him as they approached the well-prepared seat. Like a wild beast set in the forest, his skin laid upon the altar, Agni, wise and all-knowing, spoke truth to mortals with skill and clarity. I praise Agni, three-headed and seven-rayed, flawless, cradled in the lap of his parents. Seated in the firm, moving course, he filled all the shining regions of the sky. Ever-young and mighty, the exalted bull advanced with power, placing his foot upon the vast earth; from his udder, reddish streams swelled forth. Around their common calf, the cows moved together; the excellent milkers wandered unwearied, measuring the paths, their great bodies marked by every sign. The wise poets led the way, each guarding the undying with diverse hearts. Seeking to know, they beheld the river, and for them, the sun became visible among men. He is to be seen, worthy of vision at the boundaries, invoked for greatness and for the child to live. For he, the Sun, appeared in many places, most visible from the wombs, O generous one. Agni, how have the shining ones served you with offerings, eager for rewards? In family and offspring, the gods rejoiced, upholding the song of truth. Hear me, youngest one, mighty and self-sustaining, who receives abundant offerings. Your devotee drinks after you, praises you, and worships your form, O Agni. You, Agni, protected those righteous ones, even those not of my kin, from harm in the darkness, while the envious and hostile did not prevail. Whoever opposes us, wrongdoer or enemy, let your powerful spell turn back upon him; cleanse us from evil words. If any mighty and wise mortal harms another with deceit, protect the one who praises you, O Agni, and let no harm befall us. When Mātariśvan churned him out, the all-divine Hotar, pervading all waters, men placed him among the tribes, shining and splendid. My thoughts, Agni, are for your protection and mine; may all your deeds be accepted, as the poet bears up the praise. Even in the eternal dwelling, the worshipful established him with praise; they led forth the streams and held the desired one, like eager horses for the chariot. The wondrous one broke through many things with his jaws, shining forth in the forest, his flame following the wind like a sharpened spear, reaching into the days. Neither rivals nor adversaries, even in the womb, could stir him; the blind and unseeing could not harm him, for the eternal guardians protected him. He, lord of great wealth, sought the path of the generous; the stones approached him as he came to the place of pressing. Renowned in both worlds, the bull among men, full of praise, moved forward and settled in the womb. Having come forth from the stronghold, the wise one shone like a nearby cloud; like the sun, he moved with a hundredfold strength. The twice-born, shining, stood in all three luminous realms, in every space, the most fitting Hotar at the seat of the waters. As Hotar, twice-born, he established all desirable things for glory; the mortal who offers to him with pressed Soma finds delight. Many times have I spoken to you, Agni, as one who gives, 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 the godless. That wise mortal, shining and powerful in the heavens—may we become followers of your favor, O Agni. Like Mitra, whom the wise generated among cows for wealth, in assemblies, and in waters, may the two worlds respond to the beloved, worshipful support of beings. When you two, invoked by the Soma-pouring worshipper, have taken your place by your own nature, you grant wisdom, praised for the path, renowned as guardians of the home. To you, peoples proclaim the birth of heaven and earth, mighty ones of great skill; when you bear the immortal and the righteous, you, the Hotars, guide worship with wisdom. That great, beloved, and mighty support, O Asuras, you have proclaimed—righteous and vast. You brought forth the skill of the great heaven; as one yokes a cow, you set the waters in motion. By your greatness, you remove the covering, O mighty ones; the dust and foundations are settled. They resound above, seeking the sun, as the Dawns, with their rays, approach like skilled women. To you, the long-haired one has come for immortality, where, O Mitra and Varuna, you are praised for the path. With your power, release and nourish our thoughts; you inspire the poet’s mind with wisdom. He who worships you with sacrifice, the sage Hotar who prepares the hymn, you guide his worship and grant him favor. You two, first adorned with sacrifices and cattle, righteous as the mind is set in motion, are carried by hymns composed with thought, and with undiminished mind, you grant rich gifts. You, O men, bear riches and grant wealth; with your powers, you protect the mighty. Neither days nor rivers, nor divinity nor merchants, have ever harmed your greatness. You two clothe yourselves in rich garments; your thoughts are flawless, your creations true. Mitra and Varuna, you uphold all things with truth, dispelling falsehood. Even your wisdom is recognized among these people; your true counsel, praised by sages, is mighty. The three-edged strikes, the four-edged is fierce; the divine ordinances were established first. The first of the footed ones departs—who knows this of you, Mitra and Varuna? The embryo bears the burden, even of her who is his, upholding truth and casting aside falsehood. We see the lover of the young women going around, not approaching; the one who is clothed, spreading wide and never falling—the beloved abode of Mitra and Varuna. Thus, the sacred story unfolds: of Agni, ever-new and ever-old; of the shining ones who uphold truth; of the wise who seek, the poets who praise; and of Mitra and Varuna, steadfast upholders of order, who, with flawless thought and mighty ordinance, sustain all worlds and grant blessings to those who serve with devotion.