At the first light of dawn, as the sun rises and the world awakens, we call upon Agni to be our steadfast guardian. We offer him our praise with the affection of a child for a loving parent, trusting that he, born of his own radiant essence, will cherish our hymns. Agni, who perceives as mortals do, shines forth with his red light, dispelling darkness and leading us beyond distress. Youngest and most vigorous of the gods, he grants us wealth and carries us safely through adversity. Unyielding and mighty, Agni blazes forth like a powerful bull, conquering all prosperity. As the leader of sacrifice and the first to receive nourishment, he knows the birth of all things and guides us with his greatness. We ask him, the singer and wise one, to grant us unbroken protection and many blessings, shining brightly like a swift chariot that brings victory. Agni, you unite the two worlds—earth and heaven—in harmony for us. Mighty one, pour forth abundance and stir up the prizes, joining the worlds together in plenty. Shine among the gods with radiant light, and let no evil thought of mortals surround us. Grant us abundant food, wealth of cattle, and lasting prosperity for those who offer to you. May our children and descendants be victorious, and may your favor always be with us. This Agni is the master of heroic strength, of greatness, and prosperity. He is the lord of wealth, of good fortune, and the destroyer of obstacles. Let the Maruts and all men gather around this mighty one, in whom wealth abides. In battles, the fierce rally to him and everywhere they overcome the enemy. Therefore, O giver, grant us wealth—heroic strength and abundant, powerful prosperity, rich in offspring, unharmed, and vigorous. Agni has acted among all beings, has conquered, and has done good among the gods. He strives for heroic strength among the gods and receives praise among men. O Agni, do not bring us to folly, to weakness, or to poverty. Do not make us subject to hatred or enmity. Instead, grant us, O fortunate Agni, wealth abounding in offspring at the great sacrifice. Release to us abundant, joyful riches of great fame and glory. Ignited, Agni follows the first laws and is praised by worshippers as the all-possessing one. With flaming hair and clarified butter as his purifier, Agni, pure and skilled in sacrifice, brings the gods to the ritual. As he has performed the priestly office on earth, so too in heaven, with wisdom. With this offering, may he worship the gods and help us cross beyond with the sacrifice. Three are the lives of Jātavedas; three dawns have been born for Agni. By these, wise one, bring the help of the gods and be a source of blessing for the worshipper. We praise Agni, radiant and beautiful, worthy of homage. As the messenger and bringer of offerings, the gods have made him the center of immortality. Whoever before Agni was the best priest, gracious by his own power, let Agni follow his law and perform the sacrifice wisely. Then, may he direct the ritual for us with divine favor. Approach us graciously, Agni, like a friend to a friend, like a good son to his father. For we live among many hostilities; burn away our foes, facing them on every side. Burn among the enemies, destroy the hostile curse and the wrath of the stranger. Burn those without understanding; may your undying, tireless flames stand against them. With kindling wood and clarified butter, we offer oblations for strength and power. As long as we are able, with prayer and honor, may we praise this divine thought for a hundred years. Shine forth with your praised flame, son of strength, and place great glory among those who rejoice. Bring blessing to the Viśvāmitras, and purify your body, making it abundant. Grant us treasure, O bestower of wealth, for when you are kindled, you become the source of all riches. In the house of the praiser, O fortunate and splendid one, you assume all beautiful forms. We choose Agni as the priest for our sacrifice—wise, a sage, all-knowing, and unfailing. May he worship for us, most worthy of sacrifice, and bring us wealth, strength, and generous gifts. To you, Agni, we send forth the offering rich in ghee, seeking splendid gifts and radiant clarity. Circling to the right, most youthful, may you approach with gifts and seat the sacrifice with the wealthy ones. With your keen mind, grant us mastery over prosperity and heroic wealth, so that we may be most praised among the wealthy. Many are your faces, Agni, which worshippers have placed in you. Bring us the favor of the gods, youngest one, when today you sacrifice to the divine host. When the gods, desiring sacrifice, first appointed you as the priest, may you be our protector here and grant us fame among our people. At dawn, Agni calls to Uṣas, the Aśvins, and Dadhikrā, singing hymns as day breaks. May the radiant gods hear us, united and eager for the sacrifice. Agni, you have three swift steeds, three seats, and three tongues born of truth, ancient and divine. With these, protect us, so that our songs are never rejected. Agni, Jātavedas, your powers are many; you are self-sustaining and bear the name of immortality. The wonders placed in you by the ancient wonder-workers are bound together at your back. Agni is the leader of peoples, like Bhaga; divine guardian of order, true to law, slayer of Vritra, wise and all-knowing. May he lead the singer safely through all hardships. We call Dadhikrā, Agni, the divine Dawn, Bṛhaspati, Savitar, the Aśvins, Mitra, Varuṇa, Bhaga, the Vasus, Rudras, and Ādityas to join us here. Agni, place this sacrifice among the immortals for us and accept our offerings, Jātavedas. As the first priest, taste the portions of curds and clarified butter. For you, clarified butter flows, pure one; the portions drip with fat. In your own place, at the divine feast, grant us the best reward. For you, Agni, the portions drip with clarified butter for the wise. You are the best sage, blazing up—be the protector of the sacrifice. The offerings flow for you, unbroken like strength, with fat and clarified butter. Wise and radiant, accept our offerings, thoughtful one. The strongest fat, raised from the midst, we offer to you; let the portions drip upon your skin and distribute them among the gods. This is Agni, in whom Indra placed the pressed Soma in his eager belly. He is praised as Jātavedas, possessing a thousand powers, swift as a victorious horse. Agni’s brilliance is found in the sky, on earth, in plants, and in waters. With it, he stretches across the vast atmosphere; his radiance is fierce, and his light is seen by men. Agni seeks the flood of heaven and approaches the gods, the lords of the altar. He reaches those who shine beyond the sun’s realm and the waters that stand below. Thus do we honor Agni, the radiant, the wise, the protector and priest, who unites the worlds and brings the gods to our sacrifice, blessing us with prosperity, strength, and the favor of the immortals.