In the sacred dawn of the ritual, the divine priests, those first among men, are arranged in their rightful places. Seven singers, radiant and pure, rejoice in their own essence, proclaiming truth and calling it by its name. They follow the vow faithfully, shining as guardians of its sanctity. As the ritual unfolds, the invoker calls upon the goddesses: may Bhāratī with her companions, Iḻā with gods and men, Agni, and Sarasvatī with her kin, all come together. Let these revered goddesses take their seats upon the sacred grass, sanctifying the ceremony. Tvaṣṭar, the nourishing god who grants abundance, is invoked for his grace. From him is born the heroic and skillful one, well-equipped and eager to serve the gods, acting with excellence in every deed. The offering is released to the gods as one might offer fruit from a tree. Agni, the pacifier, prepares the oblation, and the true Hotar, knowing the origins of the gods, worships with understanding and reverence. Agni is called to come near, kindled and bright, together with Indra and the other gods, accompanied by swift companions. Let Aditi and her noble sons be seated on the sacred grass, and may the immortal gods rejoice with the invocation. Agni, awakened and aware of the sages’ paths, has arisen. The priest, broad-footed and glowing with divine radiance, dispels the doors of darkness with his fire. He grows strong through the praises, songs, and hymns of the worshippers, perceiving the many forms of truth, shining forth at the dawn as the messenger. Agni, the seed among men, established by Mitra through truth, arises from the worshipper’s offering. The sage, worthy of invocation, becomes the support of all thoughts. When kindled, Agni becomes Mitra; Mitra is the Hotar, Varuṇa knows the origins, Mitra is the Adhvaryu, the inspired householder, and Mitra is also of the rivers and mountains. Agni protects the beloved, the foremost path of the horse, and guards the swift course of the sun. He preserves the navel of the seven-headed and the lofty likeness of the gods. The Ribhus fashioned the beautiful and worthy name, and the god, knowing all skills, made every form. Agni wraps the skin, the ghee-filled footstep, and protects, never ceasing. Agni enters the ghee-filled womb, broad-spreading and radiant, pure, lofty, and bright, renewed again and again by his mothers. Newborn, he grows with the plants as they flourish, nourished by ghee, shining like flowing waters, resting in the lap of his parents. Rising, praised, and kindled, Agni shines from the navel of heaven and earth. Mitra, Agni, the worthy, Mātariśvan, the messenger, carries the offering to the gods. Kindled, Agni upholds the high heaven, becoming the highest of the shining realms. When Mātariśvan brought the hidden carrier of offerings to the Bhṛgus, Agni was kindled anew. Agni is asked to grant abundant wealth, lasting possession of cows for the one who invokes him. May the son be victorious and wise, and may Agni’s favor be with the worshippers. The singers, reflecting deeply, speak forth, leading the divine hymn with devotion. The givers of gifts, rich in offerings, bring the oblation to Agni, adorned with ghee. As he is born, Agni fills the two worlds, and now the gifts are brought, the offering ready. In heaven and on earth, Agni’s seven-tongued fires are spoken of for their greatness. Heaven and earth, worthy of sacrifice, seat Agni as the Hotar in the house. The peoples, devoted, invoke his shining flame with abundant offerings. Great and firmly seated in the abode, Agni shines between heaven and earth, radiant and nourished by the ageless, unblemished cows of wide praise. Agni’s vows are mighty; by his power, he stretches out the two worlds. He became the messenger at birth, the leader and strong one of peoples. The tawny-haired Agni harnesses the well-yoked, ghee-anointed red steeds of truth to the yoke, bringing all the gods and making the ritual well-ordered. From the sky, Agni’s lights shine forth, following the ancient dawns as they brighten. When the gods delight in the offering, they carry the oblations in the woods of the sacrificial fire. Whether the gods rejoice in the wide atmosphere or dwell in the shining realm of heaven, Agni’s chariot-horses bring them here. Agni comes hither with his chariot, or with many chariots, for he has many horses. He brings the thirty-three gods who have wives, each according to the ritual, and they rejoice. He is the priest for whom even the two worlds are broad, praised for every sacrifice. At the ritual, two, right-ordered and true-born, stand facing east in the truth of the rite. Agni is asked again to grant abundant, lasting wealth of cattle, the best sustenance for the one who invokes him. May the son and his offspring be victorious, and may Agni’s good favor be with them. The seven voices have entered the mother, mounting the back of the spotted bull. The two fathers, well-guarded, move together, flowing forth and manifesting long life. The cows of heaven, strong horses, and goddesses stand, bearing sweetness. In the seat of truth, the cow moves alone, seeking well-being. They have ascended, becoming well-yoked, and the wise lord of the givers knows. The many-formed one, with dark back, settles them, the one of many shapes. The great, nourishing offspring of Tvaṣṭṛ, being supported, carry the one who is to be carried. Shining with their forms, they enter the seat as if the two worlds were one. They know the blessing of the strong, ruddy one and roar at the command of the spotted one. The lights of heaven, shining brightly, whose songs are among the great, are Iḷā’s. With the two fathers, they bring forth a mighty sound from the great ones. Where the bull circles the enclosure of the milker, the singer declares his own abode. With five priests, the seven sages guard the beloved, established track of the bull. The forward-yoked, unwearied ones rejoice, and the gods indeed follow the vows of the gods. The divine priests, the first, have sat down; the seven pure ones rejoice in their nature, proclaiming truth and calling the friend of truth. The keepers of vows shine, following the vow. The strong ones are yoked for the great journey, the bright, well-yoked rays for the strong one. The divine priest, most delightful and wise, is asked to bring here the great gods and the two worlds. Those yoked to the pure, eloquent, and well-guided have called forth the radiant dawns. If, by the greatness of earth, any offense has been committed, Agni is asked to forgive it for great good. Agni is again invoked to grant abundant, lasting wealth of cattle, the best sustenance for the one who invokes him. May the son and his offspring be victorious, and may Agni’s good favor be with them. At the sacrifice, the Lord of the Forest is anointed with celestial honey, standing upright. May he grant wealth here, whether he remains above or rests in the lap of his mother. Taking shelter before the kindled Agni, composing hymns and striving for the undying, noble one, the worshippers pray: drive far from us hostile thoughts, and rise up for our great good fortune. Thus, through invocation, hymns, and offerings, the sacred story of Agni and the gods unfolds, weaving together truth, abundance, and divine favor for all who participate in the eternal ritual.