Among the immortals, Agni, you have always stood foremost, filling the vast heavens with your presence for the sake of humankind. Like a milch-cow in a gathering, yielding her bounty for the poet, by your very nature you grant abundant and manifold riches to those who call upon you. We, your worshippers, seek heroic strength, O Agni—whether it comes by swift horses or by the power of our prayers among the peoples. May our glory shine bright and high among the five tribes; let your radiant, unconquered light blaze forth for all to see. Remember us, mighty and praiseworthy Agni, for it is in you that noble men seek to prosper. The strong come to you with their sacrifices, and you, ever shining, dwell in their homes, gracing their lineage with your presence. O Jātavedas, may we always be your praisers and find prosperity under your protection. Grant us the ever-increasing wealth of the generous—abundant in offspring and true lordship. And those generous souls who bestow gifts of cattle, villages, and splendid horses upon your praisers—lead both them and us to prosperity, O Agni, so that we may speak with power and victory in the assembly. Agni, you are kindled and established on earth, standing firm and facing all the worlds. As the pure Hotar, wise and descended from heaven, you are worthy to worship the gods on our behalf. Narāśaṃsa marks out the sacred places—three from heaven—his ray shining by his greatness. Sprinkled with ghee, let him, with focused mind, carry our offerings and unite the gods at the summit of the sacrifice. Praised by our minds, O Agni, you are truly worthy. Today, you have led the gods, not men. Bring here the steadfast host of the Maruts, and Indra as well; let us worship him, seated upon the sacred grass. O god, may the sacred grass, well-grown and spread for wealth, be recognized. Anointed with ghee, let all the Vasus, the Ādityas, and the gods worthy of sacrifice sit here. Let the divine doors, wide and easy to traverse, be opened with reverence. Let them shine and extend their reach—unaging and purifying, glorious and heroic in their form. May the paths be easy for us, as they are for the oxen. Dawn and night, like two women, urge us onward, weaving together the threads of the sacrifice, ever-yielding, full of milk and beauty. The two divine Hotars, first and most knowing, perform the rite beautifully and straight. At the navel of the earth, on the three summits, they worship the gods in proper order. May Sarasvati, who perfects understanding, Ila the goddess, and Bharati, all-knowing—these three—by their own power, seated on the sacred grass, protect this unbroken refuge. With tawny form and great abundance, a heroic son is born who desires the gods. May Tvashtar extend our offspring, and may the path of the gods come to us. The forest-lord has let flow, and Agni has approached. He cooks the offering with his thoughts, and may the divine sacrificer, in threefold measure, lead the well-apportioned oblation to the gods. Ghee has been produced; ghee is his womb and his dwelling. Carry, O mighty one, the offering made with ‘svaha’, delighting in the oblation. I call upon you, radiant Agni, praised with good hymns—guest of the people, well-guided, friend among gods and men, O Jatavedas, worthy of desire. The Bhrigus established him in the seat of waters, setting him twice among the peoples. This Agni, ever-young and swift as a horse, has encompassed all the realms of the gods. The gods have made Agni dear among human tribes, wishing to dwell as a friend. May he shine forth, spreading his flames skillfully, coming to the house of the generous. His prosperity is abundant, his vision wise, his skill undiminished. Bearing gifts, he moves among the plants, his tongue like a charioteer stirring the waters. When the forest-dweller, breaking obstacles, measures out the color from the ashes, he discerns with bright radiance and is joyful, ever renewed though always young. Eager, he shines through the forests, following the path like a charioteer. He perceives the black, fierce path, smiling like the sky with clouds. He, who has spread wide the broad domain of skill, draws the cattle to himself, self-guided and unguarded. Agni, radiant, burns the dry and the blackened, making the earth pleasant. Now, in this third invocation, I recall your former favor, Agni. Grant us united strength, great and abundant—wealth, heroism, and prosperity. As with you, Agni, the Gritsamadas, hidden, overcame their foes, so may you grant our praisers heroic sons, victorious and able to overcome adversaries. The Hotar was born, conscious, a father for the fathers, bringing help. May we, seeing the visible wealth, attain the prize of the swift. Seven rays are spread in him, the leader of sacrifice; among men, the eighth, the divine Potar, upholding all this. Whatever the knower has established here, let him speak the sacred words; around all wise works, the rim becomes like a wheel. Together with the pure, the pure one is born as ruler by will; knowing his firm laws, he grows like wings. The cows—his forms and lifespans—follow the leader. Perhaps the sisters, who have come, choose the best among the threefold ones. Just as sisters, standing by their mother, bring forth clarified butter, so the officiant, at their coming, rejoices like one showered with barley. May heaven appoint the priest for the offering for its own sake; may we obtain praise, sacrifice, and devotion, and be fulfilled. As one who knows rightly acts for the benefit of all who worship, so, Agni, may you accept the sacrifice we have performed for you. O Agni, accept this kindling of mine, accept my approach. Listen now to these my songs. With this hymn, Agni, we offer you, offspring of strength, the best of horses, with our praise, O well-born one. You, lover of song, bestower of wealth and riches, we worship with our praises, we who are devoted. Be awake, O wise one, generous lord of wealth and riches; drive away our hatreds. May you bring us rain from heaven, unobstructed strength, and abundant riches. To the one who desires, to the one who calls, O youngest messenger, come to us with our song; most fit for sacrifice, O priest, come. Within, Agni, you move, wise in both births, O sage; as a messenger, you are friendly to both races. Thus, through all these hymns and invocations, the presence of Agni—radiant, wise, and generous—is called upon to bless, protect, and prosper those who honor him with devotion and sacrifice.