United in purpose, the Agnis—those radiant, moisture-rich fires—assemble with their helpers to receive the sacrifice, unharmed and gracious, bestowing immense blessings upon the worshippers. The people call upon Agni, the divine fire, seeking from him enduring and abundant wealth, the finest reward for those who invoke him. They pray for their sons to be victorious and wise, longing for Agni’s favor to shine upon their lineage. Agni, ever youthful and undying, is kindled and carefully prepared, seated in his sacred place as the leader of the ritual. Known as Jātavedas, he establishes immortality here, his presence undiminished even in the woods. The Bhāratas stir up Agni, whose radiance and fame spread among the gods. Divine by nature and skillful, Agni is asked to look upon the worshippers with the gift of great wealth, guiding them through the days. Ten ancient sticks kindle Agni, the well-born beloved by mothers. The people praise him, divine and famed among the gods, lord among peoples. The worshipper places Agni, the best, upon the earth in the seat of Iḻā, in bright days. Agni is called to shine—radiant in the stone, among men, in the waters, and in Sarasvatī. Once again, the prayer rises: may Agni grant abundant prosperity, the best and most enduring wealth of cows for the offerer; may their sons and their offspring be victorious, blessed by Agni’s favor. Agni is invoked to overcome hostile armies and adversaries, to be formidable and repel enemies, bestowing brilliance upon the bearer of sacrifice. Kindled by Iḻā, the immortal officiant, Agni is asked to accept the sacrifice as Lord. Awakened with splendor, son of strength, Agni is invoked; the worshipper marks his seat, the sacred grass, for the ritual. Agni, together with all the fires and gods, is called to magnify the praises of those active in sacrifice. The worshippers ask Agni to give wealth full of heroes and abundance, to protect their sons with his favor. Agni, son of heaven and earth, wise and all-knowing, is called to worship the gods here. He grants strength, the prize for immortality, and brings the gods full of gifts. Born of heaven and earth, universal, Agni shines forth—divine, immortal, unfailing—dwelling with prizes, radiant with offerings and reverence. Agni and Indra are invited to the worshipper’s home, to the sacrifice of the one who presses Soma, undefeated gods for the drinking of Soma. Agni is kindled among the waters, in the home, eternal son of strength, knower of all births, asked to magnify the seats with his aid. With focused mind, the Kuśikas approach Vaiśvānara Agni, knower of light, bearing offerings to the generous god, the charioteer, the giver of wealth. They call upon Agni, Vaiśvānara, Mātariśvan, shining and worthy of praise; Bṛhaspati, wise listener and guest, swift to come for mankind’s worship. Like a neighing horse, Vaiśvānara is kindled by the Kuśikas in every age. Agni is asked to grant heroic strength, wealth in horses, and treasures among immortals, ever watchful. The powerful fires are called to go forth with vigor, shining and mingled, yoked with spotted mares. The Maruts, great milkers and all-knowing, shake the unyielding mountains. The splendor of Agni and the Maruts, the peoples, are invoked for fierce and mighty aid; Rudra’s sons, pouring rain, lions in roar, generous in deeds, are called forth. Band by band, troop by troop, with good praises, the worshippers seek Agni’s brilliance and the Maruts’ strength; the spotted-horsed, givers of rain and wisdom, come to the sacrifice in the assemblies. Agni declares: “I am Agni by birth, knower of all births; ghee is my sight, immortality my seat; the hymn is my triple abode. I move through the realms; unaging warmth, offering is my name.” With three purifying filters, Agni approaches the sun, knowing light with heart and mind. By his own powers, he creates the most precious treasure, and heaven and earth behold him. Agni, wise father of speech, flows with a hundred streams, delighting in the lap of his parents. The two worlds cherish him, the true-spoken one. The worshippers call upon the givers of strength with offerings and clarified butter, seeking the favor of the gods from the bringer of joy. Agni, the wise, is praised with words, the accomplisher of sacrifice, attentive and thoughtful. With Agni’s help, the mighty god, they hope to overcome hostility and pass beyond hatred. Agni, shining and worthy of praise, is kindled in the ritual; his flames are his hair. Immortal Agni, broad-footed, is cleansed with clarified butter, invoked with offerings, the carrier of oblations in sacrifice. Those who strive together, with proper implements and devotion, establish Agni for worship. The immortal god, priest, advances in front with skill, urging on the rituals. The strong one is honored among the strong, led forth in the rituals; the sage is the accomplisher of sacrifice. By thought, Agni creates the most excellent, placing the embryo of beings, father of skill and offspring. The worshipper places Agni, the excellent one, with skill, prayer, and strength, radiant opener of paths. The wise kindle Agni, the guide and helper, in union with immortality, strength, and offerings. Agni, son of strength, shines in the ritual, on the altar, possessing the wisdom of a sage. He is praised and honored, remover of darkness, visible one, mighty and kindled together. Mighty Agni is kindled, like a horse bearing the gods; those with offerings praise him. Thus, through reverent invocation, careful ritual, and heartfelt praise, Agni—the divine fire, the immortal priest, the radiant guide—is established in the hearts and homes of the worshippers, blessing them with strength, prosperity, wisdom, and the favor of the gods.