Agni, the wondrous fire, journeyed tirelessly across the boundaries of existence, unwearied and unhindered. The young ones of heaven, radiant and luminous, accompanied him—though they were without physical flame, their brilliance shone forth. In this sacred realm, the ancient maidens—sisters who shared a single womb—placed within it a single, potent embryo, from which arose the seven voices, the primal sounds. For Agni, all forms united and spread themselves out in the womb of ghee, streams of honey flowing forth in abundance. Here, the nourishing cows stood, the great and harmonious mothers, sustaining the wondrous one with their bounty. Agni, brown and powerful, son of strength, shone forth, bearing bright and vigorous forms. Where he grew in wisdom, streams of honey and ghee poured out, and the mighty bull flourished. By his very birth, Agni discerned the udder of his father, releasing streams from the two cows. Moving secretly among friendly and auspicious companions, along with the young ones of heaven, he was never hidden from view. He bore the embryo of his father and creator, and the single, ancient one drank and grew full. For the mighty, his pure spouse and her kin protected both the embryo and the father, ensuring their well-being. In the vast, unobstructed space, the nourishing waters sustained Agni, bringing him fame and renown. In the womb of truth, the wondrous one rested—Agni, among his sisters, offspring of the great mothers. Brown and bull-like, eager to be seen in the assembly of the mighty, he shone for the son. Born as the creator, Agni arose, the most active and youthful, the very embryo of the waters. This embryo of the waters became most visible among the plants, produced by the woods in many fortunate forms. Even the gods united their minds to honor this powerful newborn. The great shining ones—devas radiant as lightning—accompanied Agni, who, though grown in secret, was milked as the immortal in his own seat, within the farthest womb. The sacrificer invokes Agni with offerings, seeking friendship and gracious favor. With the gods, Agni measures out help for the worshipper and protects with the hosts of the noble. Those who dwell near, under Agni’s good guidance, receive all blessings. With noble seed and fame, striving, let us approach the gods, the leaders in battle. Agni became the sign of the gods, delightful and all-knowing. He awakens mortals and, as a charioteer, journeys with the gods, accomplishing their work. In the homes of mortals, the immortal king sat, overseeing the assemblies. With a face adorned in ghee, shining wide, Agni—knower of all wisdom—shone forth. He is called with friendly, auspicious ones, great and mighty helpers, the guide who grants abundant wealth, well-spoken shares, and glory. These are your ancient births, O Agni; now I speak of your new ones as well. For you, Jātavedas, these great and mighty rites are established at every birth. At every birth, Jātavedas is ceaselessly kindled by the Viśvāmitras. May we, in his favor, be blessed with good mind and happiness. Place this sacrifice of ours, O mighty one, among the gods, O skillful Agni, rejoicing. Guide the offerings with lofty praises and obtain great wealth for us through worship. O Agni, grant us enduring prosperity, the best reward for the one who offers. May our son be victorious and wise, and may your favor be with us always. For Vaiśvānara, the nourisher of wisdom, we prepare clarified butter, pure as ghee, for Agni. As men, we appoint him as Hotar, with praise, as a chariot crafted by skillful hands. By his birth, he illuminated both heaven and earth, becoming the praiseworthy son of his mothers. Agni, the immortal, the chosen guest of the people, receives the offerings. By the will of the gods—strong in wisdom and skill—Agni was created by their thoughts. Shining with light and brilliance, he is praised as the great bringer of wealth, like a champion. Seeking his favor, we choose the excellent, unyielding prize: heroic wealth. Agni, the gift of the Bhṛgus, born of Usij, wise in action and kingly, shines with celestial radiance. The people have placed Agni here for favor, renowned for wealth, upon the well-laid altar. With shining offerings, he is radiant, universal, Rudra, the guide of sacrifices, purifier of waters. O pure-shining one, your dwelling is surrounded by those who serve as Hotar at sacrifices. Agni, those seeking your favor approach you for prosperity; grant them wealth. He filled both heaven and earth with his great light when the waters bore him. Led around the sacrifice, wise and swift, he strives for wealth, the chosen one. Honor the giver of offerings, the true sacrificer; praise the noble, knower of all births. Agni, charioteer of great truth, wise among people, became the priest of the gods. Three immortal kindlings of Agni, prepared by the Usij, purified him. Of these, one was placed as support for mortals, while two returned to their own home, their domain. The sage of the people, lord of the clans, the source of human prosperity, is made their support, like a sharp tool for brightness. He moves upward and downward, shining, bearing the seed in all worlds. He grows strong in wombs, being born again and again, roaring like a bull in splendid places, like a lion. Vaiśvānara, broad-footed and immortal, grants precious gifts, distributing them to the worshipper. Ancient Vaiśvānara ascended to his abode, touching the sky, delighting with good thoughts. As before, he generates wealth for the worshipper, ever moving and watchful. The righteous, worthy of sacrifice, wise—whom Mātariśvan established in heaven as a dwelling—Agni, shining with golden hair, is sought for good guidance and new prosperity. Pure as a stream, swift and shining, a beacon in the realm of heaven, Agni, the crown of heaven, unopposed, is sought with reverence, mighty and victorious. The delightful Hotar, pure, without rival, noble and worthy of praise, wise among all peoples, is like a splendid chariot established by Manu. He is sought for a lasting abode. For Vaiśvānara, broad-footed, singers distribute treasures in the abodes for the journey. Agni, the immortal, pleases the gods, ensuring the eternal endurance of the laws. As a messenger, he moves wondrously between heaven and earth; the priest is seated, the people’s chief officiant. He surrounds the vast abode with radiance, adorned by the gods, bringing wealth at the prompting of wise thought. The sages honor Agni with their minds, as the sign of sacrifices and the accomplisher of assemblies. In him, hymns are set and offerings placed; upon him, the worshipper lays his prayers. Agni, father of sacrifices, lord of insight and wisdom, measure and skill of the worshippers, has entered heaven and earth with great splendor. Beloved by many, the poet delights in his abodes. The shining Agni, with a radiant chariot and golden vow, Vaiśvānara, dwells in the waters, knowing the light. The gods have placed here the swift, powerful, resplendent one, possessing beautiful glory. With gods and men, Agni kindles the sacrifice, adorned by many thoughts. He moves as a charioteer, guided by good intentions, ever young, protector of the household, warding off curses. Agni, grow strong in your own power and life; nourish us with vigor and shine forth together with us. Animate our energies, awaken the great ones; you are the wise and good-minded among the gods, O seer.