May the paths before us be made smooth and gentle, just as the way is eased for the sturdy oxen who bear their loads. Dawn and night, like two tireless women, urge us onward in our sacred journey. They weave together the stretched threads of time, preparing with patient hands the radiant beauty of sacrifice—ever-yielding, always nourishing, as abundant as a vessel brimming with milk. At the heart of this rite, the two divine Hotars—those first, most learned priests—perform the ceremony with flawless precision and beauty. At the very navel of the earth, upon the three sacred summits, they worship the gods in proper order, ensuring the ritual flows as it should. Nearby, the three revered goddesses—Sarasvati, who perfects understanding; Ila, source of wisdom and speech; and Bharati, all-knowing—sit together upon the sacred grass. By their own power, they guard this unbroken refuge, sheltering the sacrifice and those who gather in reverence. From this sacred act, a son of strength is born—tawny in form, brimming with vigor, a hero whose heart yearns for the presence of the gods. Tvashtar, the divine artisan, extends our lineage, and the path of the gods draws near to us, blessing our offerings and our hopes. The lord of the forest has released his flow, and Agni himself has drawn close. With his very thoughts, he cooks the sacred offering, and as the divine sacrificer, in his threefold measure, he leads the well-portioned oblation to the waiting gods. Ghee, the clarified butter, is produced for him; ghee is his womb and his dwelling, his foundation and his delight. Joyfully, Agni, the mighty bull, carries the offering, made with the utterance of “svaha,” to the gods. Now, I call upon you, radiant Agni—praised with noble hymns, guest of the people, wise and well-guided. Like a cherished friend, you are desired by all—O Jatavedas, god among gods, among men. Long ago, the Bhrigus established him in the seat of waters, setting Agni twice among the peoples. Ever-young and swift as a horse, Agni encircles all the realms of the gods, connecting heaven and earth. The gods themselves have made Agni beloved among human tribes, wishing to dwell with him as a friend. May he shine forth in our homes, spreading his flames skillfully, bringing prosperity to the generous. His wealth is abundant, his vision far-seeing, and his skill undiminished. Bearing gifts, he moves among the plants, his tongue stirring the waters like a skilled charioteer. When Agni, the forest-dweller, breaks through obstacles, he reveals color from the ashes. With bright discernment, he rejoices, ever-renewed, ever-young, his radiance undimmed. Eagerly, he shines through the forests, following the path like a charioteer. He perceives the fierce, blackened path, yet smiles upon the world like the sky adorned with clouds. Agni has spread wide the domain of skill; cattle come to him, self-guided and unguarded. His radiance burns away the dry and blackened, making the earth pleasant and fertile. Now, in this third invocation, I recall your former favor, O Agni. Grant us united strength, abundant wealth, heroism, and prosperity—let these blessings be ours. As you aided the Gritsamadas in overcoming their hidden foes, so may you grant to those who praise you heroic sons—victorious and able to overcome adversity. The Hotar was born, conscious and wise, father of the fathers, to offer help. May we, beholding visible wealth, attain the prize of swiftness and success. In Agni, seven rays are spread—the leader of sacrifice. Among men, as the eighth, the divine Potar upholds all creation. Whatever Agni, the knower, has established here, let him speak the sacred words. Around all wise works, the rim turns, like a wheel in motion. With the pure, the pure one is born as ruler, by his own will. Knowing his firm laws, he grows, spreading wings of strength and order. The cows—his forms, his lifespans—follow their leader. Perhaps the sisters, gathered here, 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 as one who receives a shower of barley. May heaven itself appoint the priest for the offering. May we gain praise, sacrifice, and devotion, and may fulfillment be ours. As one who knows rightly acts for the benefit of all worshippers, so, O Agni, accept the sacrifice we have performed for you. O Agni, accept this kindling of mine and my approach; now, listen to these songs I offer. With this hymn, O Agni, we offer you, offspring of strength, the finest horse—our praise to you, noble one. You, lover of song, bestower of wealth and riches, we worship with our devotion and praise. Be awake, O wise one, generous lord of wealth, giver of riches; drive away all hatred from us. May you bring us rain from heaven, grant us unobstructed strength, and bestow abundant riches. To the one who desires, to the one who calls, O youngest messenger, come with our song; most fit for sacrifice, O priest, come. Within, O Agni, you move, wise in both your births, O sage; as a messenger, you are a friend to both gods and men. He, knowing, brings and enjoys, always discerning anew; and he sits here, upon this sacred grass. O youngest, most excellent Agni of the Bhāratas, bring us the most radiant and much-desired wealth, O generous giver. Let not the enmity of god or mortal rule over us; protect us also from the hatred of others. By you, may we overcome all hatreds, as streams overcome obstacles in their path. Pure, bright, and worthy of praise, O Agni, you shine greatly, invoked with offerings of ghee. For us, O Agni of the Bhāratas, with your gifts and oxen, you are invoked with eight-footed verses. May the flow of clarified butter be ours, O ancient, most excellent priest, wondrous son of strength. Now, as if urging on swift chariots, let us praise the assemblies of Agni—the most glorious, the bountiful one. He is well-guided, generous to the worshipper, unfailing, wearing down the foe, beautiful in form, and always invoked. Resplendent, he is praised in homes for his glory at dusk and dawn, whose law never fails. Thus is the story of Agni, the radiant priest and godly friend, who, with the goddesses and the wise, upholds the sacrifice, bestows blessings, and brings the prayers of mortals to the gods.