We begin in the sacred dawn, where the mighty ones gather to kindle Agni, the radiant fire, with their own strength and devotion. They call upon Agni, the powerful, to shine forth with great brilliance, illuminating the path of sacrifice. At the morning pressing, the worshippers offer the sacrificial cake to Agni, the knower of all births. With reverent prayer, they ask him, the wise and youthful one, to accept the offering prepared for him. The cake, baked and set aside through the day, is brought forth at the right moment, and Agni, son of strength, is invited to partake, his share never diminished among the assemblies of the wise. At midday, again the sacrificial cake is offered, and Agni, the sage who knows all births, is called to accept it. His portion is always honored, for the wise do not neglect his due. At the third pressing, Agni is summoned once more, the offering placed before him, and he is asked to carry the rich rites with insight to the immortal gods, ever wakeful and ever-growing, accepting the cake hidden through the day. The ritual continues as the churning stick is prepared, the act of generation accomplished. The mistress of the house is called forth, and, as in ancient times, Agni is churned into being. Between the two pieces of wood, Agni, the knower of all births, is cherished like an embryo in the womb, praised daily by the wakeful and those who bring offerings. With careful understanding, the upright Agni is brought forth swiftly, born vigorous and shining—a reddish pillar, the strength and son of Ilā, generated on the sacred path. In the place of Ilā, at the navel of the earth, Agni is set down for the offering, for the sacrificial cake. Men churn the sage, the immortal, the all-wise, the well-formed Agni, generating the gracious sign of sacrifice, the first and foremost. As they churn him, Agni blazes forth like a swift, red horse in the woods, his bright, unrestrained course circling the grass and burning it from the stone, just as the Aśvins race across the sky. Born anew, Agni shines with discernment, strength, and inspiration, praised by sages and honored by the gods as the all-knowing bearer of offerings. Agni, the discerning Hotar, is seated in his rightful place, the sacrifice nestled in the goodly womb. He is asked to worship the gods with offerings and to grant strength to the great worshipper. The friends of Agni are urged to make the smoke strong, striving for the prize and remembering that Agni, the slayer of foes, was the power by which the gods overcame the Dasyus. This is Agni’s seat, the place of his birth and brilliance; knowing this, he is asked to sit and increase the songs of praise. He is protector of the body, the divine embryo, the desire of men upon his birth. When Mātariśvan measured him within the mother, the outpouring of wind was made manifest. Well churned and well placed, Agni the sage is set down to perform the right rites, worshipping the gods for the worshipper. Mortals generate the immortal, the tireless and swift Agni, with hidden jaws, as the ten sisters approach the vigorous one together. The sevenfold Hotar, shining from ancient times, burned in the mother’s lap and udder, never closing his eyes, bountiful day by day since his birth from the mighty one’s belly. Armed against foes like the Maruts, Agni is the first-born of sacred order, known by all. The radiant prayer is set forth by the Kuśikas, each kindling Agni in his own house. Today, as in every sacrifice, Agni the wise Hotar is chosen with devotion, called to approach the Soma with firm and best offerings, with knowledge and understanding. Now, the friends of Indra, the Soma-lover, prepare and press Soma, enduring the hardships of men, for apart from Indra, no one is truly wise. Not even the farthest realms are distant from Indra; he is summoned, Lord of the Bay Steeds, to come with his horses. For the strong bull, libations are prepared, pressing stones are yoked, and the fire is kindled. Indra, beautiful-bearded, generous, mighty, and leader of great hosts, is invoked. When restrained among mortals, his heroic powers are sought—where are they, O bull? For Indra alone can shake the unshaken, roaming and slaying the Vṛtras. Heaven, earth, and mountains stand firm by his law, as if measured by his rod. By his fame alone, Indra shatters strongholds and slays Vṛtra. He holds both vast worlds in his grasp, as if they were his own. His bay steeds are released down the slopes, his thunderbolt strikes, crushing foes and making truth prevail, destroying falsehood. To those whom Indra grants life, even the unoffered portion becomes their share. His favor is blessed and rich, a thousandfold bounty. He is called to crush the mighty, the oppressors, striking down the swelling Vṛtra, the footless one, with his might. With Indra’s songs, the earth is established, vast and boundless. The bull props up the sky and midspace, and at his command, the waters flow. Valā, the pen of cows, was not to be crossed, but before Indra the slayer, he withdrew in fear. Indra made smooth paths, released the cows, and the singers praised him. Indra alone fills both earth and sky, spreading them wide. From the midspace, he is asked to bring wealth, yoked chariots, and prizes. The sun remains in its appointed path, day by day the bay steeds are harnessed, and when they join on the path, release is made with the horses. Longing for the dawns, the radiant one’s coming is awaited, and his great, wondrous face is seen. All know Indra’s many good deeds by his greatness. A great light is placed in the hearts; the cow bearing the ripe moves forth, and all sweet nourishment is gathered in the dusky one when Indra places the sap for food. Indra is asked to make the strongholds firm, to provide for the sacrifice and the friends, and to slay the evil-minded and armed enemies, being the slayer of foes. The sound of battle resounds; Indra is called to strike down the devouring, burning one, to split the foe below, to destroy the demon, and to confound it. Finally, Indra is asked to uproot the demon, cutting through its very center, listening closely. He has made the lurking, crawling one flee, burning with the heat of his weapon, the enemy of the brahman destroyed by his might. Thus, through the devotion of the worshippers, the sacred rites are performed, Agni is kindled, and Indra is invoked, the gods honored in the eternal order of sacrifice, and the blessings of the divine pour forth upon those who praise with faith and understanding.