All the worlds are firmly established in their own abodes, resting deep within the cosmic ocean, within the heart and the breath of life itself. In the waters, in the sacred gatherings, all those who are nourished and sustained dwell. To that wave, abundant with sweetness, O dark and mysterious one, let us draw near. Now, as dawn breaks, Agni, the divine fire, awakens among the people. He is kindled anew, shining forth like a loving cow stretching out to her calf, or like young birds rising eagerly from their nest. His radiant rays stream upward, reaching towards the sky. The priest rises early for the worship of the gods, and Agni himself, upright and gracious, stands at the threshold of dawn. His brilliant flame, newly kindled, dispels the darkness, revealing the presence of the great god. When the sacred company is gathered and the ritual belt is fastened, pure Agni is adorned with offerings as pure as cows. The right-hand oblation is yoked to the victorious one, and Agni, upright, takes his place among the ladles, ready to receive the offerings. Let the minds of all worshippers be drawn to Agni, just as eyes are drawn to the sun. When he is fanned by the twin dawns, the radiant white steed is born at the very beginning of the days. For truly, Agni is born at the dawn of each day, set in his appointed places, glowing brightly in the sacred woods. Bearing the seven treasures, Agni, the priest, takes his seat—he is the most worthy of worship. Agni settles as the honored priest in the lap of the fragrant earth, within the world itself. Ever youthful, wise, and established in many places, he upholds all peoples and is kindled in their midst. Now, at the sacrifices, the people praise Agni, the inspired and excellent priest, with reverence. He who has stretched out the two worlds with truth is always purified with ghee, the winner of all. Agni, born in the house, is cleansed in his own abode and praised by poets as the auspicious guest. With a thousand horns, the mighty bull, his strength surpasses all others. Indeed, O Agni, you immediately surpass all others; you have become most beautiful for us. You are worthy of praise, wondrous and shining, the beloved guest of all people. To you, the youngest among the gods, people bring offerings from near and far. O Agni, seek the favor of the generous ones for us, and grant us your great, splendid, and auspicious protection. Stand upon your radiant chariot, O Agni, surrounded by worshippers. Knowing the paths through the wide atmosphere, bring the gods here to partake of our offerings. We have spoken our words to you, the wise and pure poet, the mighty bull, worthy of praise. With reverence, we offer our hymn to Agni, shining like gold in the heavens, spread wide. The mother, a young woman, bears the boy—she awakens and holds him hidden, not giving him to the father. His face is undiminished among the people; all see him placed in the front, riding the chariot. Who are you, young woman, who bears this boy? The powerful one has begotten him. The embryo has grown through many seasons; I saw him born when the mother delivered. I saw him from afar, with golden teeth and pure color, measuring the fields without weapons. He who grants immortality—what did the blameless ones do to me, what praises did they offer? I saw him moving from the field, newly born, with a splendid herd, shining greatly. None could seize him, yet he was truly born. The pale ones, these young women, become mothers. Who among the many with cows are my noble ones? Their guardian is even the wilderness itself. Those who have taken him, let them release him; the wise one knows the birth of the cattle—let him come near us. The enemies have placed the king, the sustainer of people, among mortals as their dwelling. Let the prayers of Atri release him—may those who revile us themselves become reviled. Even Śunaḥśepa, bound to the sacrificial post, was released, for he was not to be consumed. So, Agni, wise Hotar, sitting here, release us from these bonds. Though pressed hard, he did not lose his joy; he spoke to me, the observer of the gods’ laws: “Indra, the knower, has looked upon you—by his instruction, Agni, I have come.” Agni shines forth with great light, manifesting all things in his greatness. He withstands the hostile powers of the goddesses, sharpening his horns to scatter the demons. Let Agni’s own, fierce-weaponed ones be stationed in the sky, ever ready to slay the demon. Even in his exuberance, his blazing followers break through, and the godless cannot withstand their assault. This praise, mighty-born Agni, the inspired one has fashioned for you, skillfully, like a well-made chariot. If you, Agni, accept it, may we win radiant glory through this hymn. The mighty-necked, ever-growing bull, the slayer of enemies, advances with wisdom and knowledge. Thus the immortals have spoken of Agni, granting protection to Manu, who sits on the sacred grass and offers with devotion. You, Agni, are Varuṇa when you are born; you become Mitra when kindled. In you, son of strength, all the gods abide. For the worshipper, you are Indra, even as a mortal. You become Aryaman when you bear the name of the younger ones, O self-sustaining one, and you carry the hidden. They anoint Mitra, well-formed, with cows, when you unite a couple with one mind. For your glory, the Maruts adorn themselves, O Rudra, for your birth is wondrous and beautiful. The step of Viṣṇu has been set as your counterpart—by it, you guard the hidden name of the cows. By your splendor, O god, the radiant gods, bearing much, partake of immortality. Men have established Agni as the Hotar; the inspired ones, desiring favor, praise him. No earlier Hotar, O Agni, is more worthy than you, nor is any other, O self-sustaining one, superior in wisdom. For whom you become the guest, he conquers mortals by sacrifice, O god. By your aid, Agni, may we win riches, awakened by our offerings. In battle, in assemblies, by day, O son of strength, may we conquer mortals with wealth. Whoever brings sin or hostility against us, whoever harbors evil intent, let him bear that guilt himself. Destroy, O wise Agni, this curse—whoever seeks to harm us with duplicity. You, god, were worshipped as the messenger by the ancients with offerings in the morning. When you, Agni, go forth to gather riches, you are praised by mortals with treasures. Drive away, O knowing one, whoever opposes the father; as a son, O son of strength, defend us. When, O wise Agni, will you look upon us? When, O knower of truth, will you come to our aid? The worshipper, in praise, bestows many names upon you; O giver of treasures, if you are pleased with them, may you, Agni, growing strong by the gods’ might, win favor for us. You, youngest one, lead the singer across all hardships, O Agni. Thieves are unseen, enemies are mere people, and those of unknown signs become wicked. These invocations, O seer of all, have been spoken for you, O Vasava. This indeed I have declared here. This Agni does not harm us with reproach, nor does he injure; ever-growing, he drives away what is far. You, Agni, lord of wealth among treasures, we extol foremost at our sacrifices, O king. By you, striving for strength, may we win the prize and surpass the contests of mortals. Agni, the immortal, bearer of offerings, our father, the all-pervading, the clearly-seen, be gracious to us. Shine with a good household fire, with blessings; measure out for us, directly, renown. You set Agni, the sage of the people, lord of men, pure and radiant, anointed with ghee. As the priest, all-knowing, you appoint him; and he, among the gods, obtains the prizes. Thus, in these hymns, the eternal fire is praised and invoked: the guardian of the worlds, the sustainer of sacrifice, the ever-youthful and wise, the one who brings the gods close and grants protection and prosperity to those who worship with devotion.