With reverence and devotion, the worshippers gathered, their hearts intent upon Agni, the radiant son of strength, the ever-awakened flame. They invoked him at dawn, offering oblations and singing hymns, seeking his aid to win riches and glory. In battle and in assemblies, by day and by night, they yearned for Agni’s favor, knowing that with his help they could conquer mortals and amass wealth. They prayed to Agni, the wise and discerning, to shield them from sin and hostility. “Let those who wish us harm, who harbor evil intent or act in duplicity, bear the weight of their own deeds,” they implored. “O Agni, destroy the curse of our enemies and protect us, O knower of truth.” The worshippers recalled how, in ancient times, Agni was honored as the divine messenger at every offering. When he moved towards the gathering of riches, mortals praised him with treasures, acknowledging his power to bestow abundance. They pleaded, “Drive away, O knowing one, those who oppose the righteous, just as a devoted son defends his father. O Agni, when will your gaze fall upon us? When will you come to our aid?” With many names and praises, the worshippers sought to please Agni, the treasure-giver. “If our hymns delight you, may you grow strong and win favor for us by your divine might.” They called upon him to lead them across all hardships, to keep unseen thieves and open enemies at bay, and to reveal the wicked among those whose signs were unknown. In their invocations, they addressed Agni as the seer of all, the ever-growing one who drives away distant harm and does not reproach or injure his devotees. They declared, “We extol you, Agni, lord of wealth, foremost among treasures and king at our sacrifices. By your strength, may we win the prize and surpass all contests among mortals.” They honored Agni as the immortal bearer of offerings, their father, all-pervading and clearly seen. “Shine with blessings in our homes, measure out renown for us, and grant us prosperity,” they prayed. They remembered how Agni was set among people as the sage, the pure and radiant lord, anointed with ghee and appointed as the all-knowing priest who wins the prizes among the gods. With heartfelt devotion, they invited Agni to accept their kindling and offerings, together with Ila, as he strove with the rays of the sun. “Bring the gods to our sacrifice, O knower of births, and let them partake of our offerings.” As the house-lord and honored guest, Agni was called to overcome all hostile powers, to bring food and turn away enemies. The worshippers beseeched Agni to drive away the Dasyu with destruction, to increase his own vigor, and to protect both gods and men in every contest. They pledged to honor him with hymns and offerings, seeking all-desirable wealth and treasures gathered together. They invited Agni, the three-seated son of strength, to accept their sacrifice and grant them a triple shelter of protection. “Carry us, O knower of births, across all difficulties, as a boat crosses a river, and guard us from all misfortune,” they pleaded, recalling the reverent praise of Atri. For every mortal who called upon Agni with devotion and praise, the worshippers asked for glory and immortality through offspring. They knew that for the doer of good, Agni made a pleasant dwelling, bestowing heroic children, abundant cattle, and riches with well-being. With each sacrifice, they poured clarified butter—strong and pure—into the well-kindled flame, honoring Agni, the knower of births. They invited Narāśaṃsa, the honey-handed sage, to gladly accept their offerings, and called upon Agni to bring Indra, the splendid and beloved, with swift chariots for their aid. They spread the wool-soft sacred grass, praising Agni with hymns and asking him to guide them to prosperity. “O divine doors, open wide and let the sacrifice proceed, filled with blessings. With beautiful faces, ever-young and mighty, mothers of truth, we invoke you at dawn and dusk.” The divine priests, guided by the wind and human effort, were called to the sacrifice. The three goddesses—Ilā, Sarasvatī, and Mahī—were invited to sit unwavering upon the sacred grass, bringing delight to the rite. Gracious Tvaṣṭar, mighty and nourishing, was summoned to bring forth offerings at every sacrifice. They asked the Lord of the Forest, who knows the secret names of the gods, to lead the offerings to their proper place. With the sacred utterance “Svāhā,” they offered to Agni, Varuṇa, Indra, the Maruts, and all the gods. They recognized Agni as the wealth-bringer, to whom cows, swift horses, and steeds were drawn, and from whom nourishment flowed to the singers. Again and again, they praised Agni, the renowned giver of wealth, who gladly went to the reward, distributing abundance among the people. They kindled his radiant, immortal flame, offering hymns and oblations, and called upon him as the splendid receiver of offerings, the wondrous lord of the people. The many Agnis within the fires promoted all desirable things, moving and stirring to distribute nourishment. Agni’s flames grew great and victorious, filling the enclosures with cattle and abundance. The worshippers prayed, “Bring us new and abundant nourishment, O Agni, that we may remain faithful, guided by you in every household.” They offered clarified butter in splendid ladles, seeking Agni’s praise and strength. Through hymns and sacrifices, Agni, the immortal, granted them heroic power and wealth, laden with horses. Finally, the friends and worshippers united their nourishment and praise for Agni, the most exalted among men, the son of strength and abundance, knowing that through him, all blessings and prosperity would flow.