In the ancient days, the hymns of the Rig Veda sing of Agni, the bull among men, renowned in both worlds, living and full of praise. He moves forward, settling in the womb, ever advancing. Agni, emerging from the stronghold, shines forth, wise like a cloud near at hand, and moves with the strength of a hundred suns. The twice-born Agni stands radiant in all three luminous realms and in every space, the most fitting Hotar seated in the waters. As Hotar, Agni, twice-born, has established all desirable things for glory. The mortal who offers him pressed Soma finds delight and reward. Many times, the sages have spoken to Agni, the giver, for he is theirs, a shelter from the strong, coming to their greatness. None, not even the loud, wealthy, or angry, can overcome Agni; he never abandons those who seek him, nor the godless. Wise mortals shine in the heavens, powerful, and may they become followers of Agni’s favor. 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 Mitra and Varuna, much-invoked by the Soma-pouring worshipper, take their place by their nature, they grant wisdom and are praised for their guidance, renowned as guardians of the home. To these mighty ones, the birth of heaven and earth must be declared for their great skill. When they bear the immortal and the righteous, the Hotars guide the worship with wisdom. That great, beloved, and mighty support, O Asuras, righteous and vast, you have proclaimed. You bring forth the skill of the great heaven, as one yokes a cow to the yoke, and set the waters in motion. By their greatness, the mighty ones remove the covering; the dusts and foundations are settled. They resound above, seeking the sun, as the Dawns approach with their rays like skilled women. To them, the long-haired one approaches for immortality, where Mitra and Varuna are praised for the path. With their power, they release and nourish thoughts, inspiring the poet’s mind with wisdom. He who worships them with sacrifices, the sage Hotar who prepares the hymn, receives their guidance and favor. First adorned with sacrifices and cattle, righteous as the mind is set in motion, the hymns composed with thought bear them, and with undiminished mind they grant rich gifts. These mighty ones bear riches, grant wealth, and protect the powerful; neither days nor rivers, nor divinity nor merchants have ever harmed their greatness. Mitra and Varuna clothe themselves in rich garments; their thoughts are flawless, their creations true. Together, they uphold all things with truth, dispelling all falsehood. Their wisdom is recognized among the people; their true counsel, praised by the sage, is mighty. The divine ordinances were first established by their strength and guidance. The first of the footed ones departs, and who knows that of Mitra and Varuna? The embryo bears the burden, upholding truth and casting aside falsehood. The lover of the young women goes around, not approaching; the one who is clothed spreads wide, not falling, the beloved abode of Mitra and Varuna. Born without a horse or whip, the roaring one runs, his summit raised; the young men cherish the unintelligent hymn, singing praise to their abode. May the nourishing cows, devoted to the wise, bring forth abundance. May he who knows the ways seek sustenance, and may he awaken Aditi to grant vastness. Mitra and Varuna, may we turn to you with offerings cherished by you, with reverence and prayer. May our hymn be victorious in battles, and may celestial rain be most favorable. Together, the sages worship Mitra and Varuna with offerings and reverence, with clarified butter, as priests carry forth their gifts through thoughts. Let praise reach Mitra and Varuna as a well-composed hymn; when the priest invokes them in rituals, may the wise bring forth their favor. Aditi, the nourishing cow, pours out offerings for truth and for the people, honoring Mitra and Varuna. Even among intoxicating drinks, cows, and waters, the divine ones nourish them. May the ancient lord grant us protection from the milk of the tawny cow. Then the hymns proclaim the mighty deeds of Vishnu, who measured out the earthly realms and established the upper abode, striding widely three times. Vishnu is praised for his valor, like a fierce wild beast roaming the mountains; in his three great strides, all the worlds dwell. The hymn goes forth to Vishnu, the wide-striding, strong lord of the mountains, who alone measured out this extended abode with three steps. His three steps are filled with honey, delighting by their nature. Vishnu alone upholds the earth, the heavens, and all the worlds. May we attain his beloved path, where men devoted to the gods rejoice; for Vishnu, the wide-strider, that supreme place is the kin, the fountain of honey. We desire to reach his abodes, where cows with many horns roam, and the supreme place of the wide-striding mighty one shines forth abundantly. Praise for Vishnu, protector of the drinker, is offered with thought. Sing to the mighty Vishnu; those who stood on the slopes of the mountains, unassailable, have attained greatness like the swift. Indra and Vishnu, fierce and swift, protect the drinkers of soma, defending mortals and overcoming both weak and strong. They increase the strength of the mighty; the mothers lead the seed to the bearer; the son places the lower and upper name of the father, the third in the shining realm of heaven. The hymns praise this strength of his, the savior, unerring and generous, who traversed the earthly realms with three strides for life. Two of his strides are visible to mortals, who gaze and wonder; the third, none dares to reach—not even the birds flying in the sky. With four together and ninety names, like a revolving wheel, Vishnu moves without stopping, measuring his great form with hymns, youthful and vigorous, responding to the summons. Vishnu is to be approached like a gracious friend, delighting in offerings of ghee, resplendent in glory, spreading forth with his stride. Therefore, even the wise should offer him praise and sacrifice, worthy with oblations. Thus, through these hymns, the greatness of Agni, Mitra, Varuna, and Vishnu is celebrated, their deeds and wisdom woven together in the tapestry of the cosmos, as the mortals offer their devotion, seeking favor, guidance, and the supreme path.