With reverence and devotion, the sages gathered to invoke Agni, the radiant fire, the knower of all births. They called upon him joyfully, inviting him to accept their offerings, accompanied by the grace of Ila, as he strove with the rays of the sun. With loving hands, they kindled his sacred flame, beseeching Agni to bring the gods to their midst so that all might partake in the divine sacrifice. Honored as the lord of the house and the guest in every home, Agni was welcomed to the sacrifice with full knowledge and awareness. The worshippers prayed that, favored by Agni, their rituals might be successful. They sought his help to overcome all hostile forces, to grant them sustenance, and to drive away their enemies. With his mighty power, Agni was invoked to destroy the Dasyu and to grant vigor to his own form. As the son of strength who protects the gods, he was entreated to guard the faithful in every contest, standing as the best among men. In gratitude, the sages promised to honor Agni with hymns and pure offerings, praying for wealth and treasures, all desirable and gathered, to be bestowed upon them. Again, they invited Agni, son of strength and three-seated lord, to accept their sacrifice. They aspired to be doers of good among the gods and sought Agni’s triple shelter and protection. Just as a boat carries one safely across a river, they asked Agni, the knower of births, to carry them over all difficulties and misfortunes. With reverence, they remembered how Atri had praised Agni and sought his guardianship for their persons. The sages declared that whoever, thinking himself devout, called upon Agni—the immortal—with heart and praise, would be granted glory. Through Agni’s grace, they hoped for offspring and the attainment of immortality. For those whom Agni made a pleasant dwelling—the doers of good—offspring, heroic and rich in cattle, and abundant wealth with well-being would surely come. To honor Agni, the worshippers poured strong and pure clarified butter into the well-kindled flame. They called upon Narāśaṃsa, the sage with the honeyed hand, to gladly accept the sacrifice. Agni was invoked to bring Indra, the splendid and beloved, with his easy chariots for their aid. The soft wool was spread forth, and the worshippers praised Agni with hymns, asking him to guide them to prosperity. They prayed to the divine doors to open wide, granting good guidance and allowing the sacrifice to proceed and be filled. At dawn and dusk, they invoked the beautiful-faced, ever-young, mighty mothers of truth. The divine priests, guided by the wind and by human effort, were invited to the sacrifice. The three goddesses—Ilā, Sarasvatī, and Mahī—who bring delight, were asked to sit unwavering upon the sacred grass. Gracious Tvaṣṭar, mighty and nourishing by his own power, was called to bring forth offerings at every sacrifice. The Lord of the Forest, who knows the secret names of the gods, was entreated to lead the offerings to their proper place. With the utterance of “Svāhā,” the oblations were dedicated to Agni, to Varuṇa, to Indra, to the Maruts, and to all the gods. The sages considered Agni, the wealth-bringer, to whom cows and swift horses come, as the one who brings nourishment to the singers. They praised him as the renowned giver of wealth, self-born for riches, who gladly comes to the reward. To Agni, the radiant and immortal god, they offered oblations with hymns, calling upon him as the splendid lord of the people and receiver of offerings. Agni’s flames, ever-growing and victorious, filled the enclosures with cattle and distributed nourishment. The worshippers prayed for new and abundant sustenance, hoping to be guided by Agni in every household. The splendid ladles, filled with clarified butter, were placed for Agni, and the singers were filled with praise. Through hymns and sacrifices, Agni granted heroic strength and horse-laden wealth, ever bringing nourishment to the singers. United in purpose, the friends gathered their nourishment and praise for Agni, the most exalted among men, the son of strength and abundance. Wherever the noble ones kindled Agni in their assemblies, there new life was born. When united for nourishment and offerings, the sages received the ray of might, glory, and truth. Agni made himself a beacon, shining even at night and spreading through the trees, consuming them with his pure, undying flame. From his enclosure, he roared like thunder, vast and mighty. Mortals apportioned Agni for the sustenance of all, making him the sweet drink of the fathers, sought even by those far away. He was the giver of wealth, never the withholder of cattle, a noble hero with a tawny beard and pure food, never scorched in battle. From Agni, pure as a sharpened axe, the nourishing stream flowed, dividing shares to the good. To Agni, whose butter was poured for the joy of the upholder, the sages entrusted glory, fame, and the power of thought among mortals. Even the wrathful and blameless ones gave cattle received from Agni; thus, Atri was filled up and conquered the Dasyus and men by Agni’s grace. This Agni, kindled by the righteous for ancient help, shone before all as the all-supporting, worthy master of the house, ever to be chosen and worshipped.