At the sacred dawn, the worshippers gathered and invoked Agni, the radiant fire-god, calling upon him to bring Indra, the splendid and beloved, swiftly to their side in chariots that glide with ease, ready to aid them. They spread out the wool-soft sacrificial grass, offering hymns of praise to Agni, asking him, the shining guide, to lead them toward prosperity. With reverence, they entreated the divine doors to open wide, ushering in good guidance so that the sacrifice might proceed and be fulfilled. At both dawn and dusk, they invoked the ever-young, beautiful-faced goddesses—the mighty mothers of truth—seeking their presence in the sacred rite. The divine priests were summoned, guided by the swift wind and by the earnest efforts of mortals, to attend this sacrifice. Upon the sacred grass, the worshippers invited Ilā, Sarasvatī, and Mahī—the three goddesses who bring delight—to sit unwavering and bless the proceedings. Gracious Tvaṣṭar, mighty and nourishing by his own power, was called to come forth, bringing offerings at every sacrifice. The Lord of the Forest, who knows the secret names of the gods, was asked to lead the offerings to their destined recipients. And with the sacred utterance “Svāhā,” oblations were offered to Agni, to Varuṇa, to Indra and the Maruts, and to all the gods. The worshippers reflected upon Agni, the wealth-bringer, to whom cows, swift horses, and ever-ready steeds are drawn, asking him to bring nourishment to the singers. They praised Agni as the one to whom all noble steeds and cattle converge, beseeching him again for abundance. Agni, renowned among all people, self-born for riches, gladly approaches the reward and bestows wealth upon the people; so the singers called for his nourishment. They kindled Agni, the radiant and immortal god, and as his precious flame blazed forth, they prayed for him to shine and bring prosperity. Oblations and hymns were offered to Agni, the lord of brilliant flame, the wondrous receiver of offerings. The many Agnis, present in all fires, were invoked to stir and distribute all desirable things, ensuring nourishment for the singers. Agni’s flames grew powerful and victorious, filling the enclosures with cattle and abundance. Once more, the worshippers prayed for Agni to bring new and abundant nourishment, so that, guided by him, they might remain faithful in every household. The ladles, gleaming with clarified butter, were set in place for him, and Agni, lord of strength, was asked to fill the assembly with praise and plenty. Through hymns and sacrifices, Agni the immortal granted heroic strength and wealth laden with horses, ever bringing nourishment to the singers. The friends and worshippers united in their praise and offerings to Agni, the most exalted among men, the son of strength and abundance. Wherever noble ones gathered and kindled Agni, there new life was born. When united in purpose, the worshippers received rays of might, glory, and truth. Agni made himself a beacon, shining even at night, spreading through the trees and consuming them. From his enclosure, as sweat poured along the paths, the mighty and self-born one thundered with vast power. Mortals apportioned Agni for the sustenance of all, and even the farthest ones sought the sweet drink of the fathers that he provided. Agni, the giver of wealth, was never one to withhold cattle. With his tawny beard and pure food, he stood noble and undefeated. Pure as a sharpened axe, he sent forth streams of bounty, dividing shares as a good hero born of the mother. To Agni, whose butter was poured for the joy of the upholder, the worshippers entrusted glory and fame, asking him to set wisdom among mortals. Even those once wrathful and blameless gave cattle received from Agni, and thus, through his favor, Atri conquered his foes and filled his house with abundance. The worshippers kindled Agni, the ancient helper, mighty and ever-shining before them, worthy of worship, supporter of all, and master of the house. As the ancient guest, Agni was seated among the clans, his flaming hair radiant, bestowing wealth and shelter, foe to old age. All human clans sought Agni, the knower of the rite and bestower of treasures, who, though hidden, saw all and roared with might, shining with ghee. Approaching Agni, strong as a pillar and all-supporting, with songs and reverence, the worshippers asked him to accept their offerings and grant them glory and good gifts. Agni, of manifold form, bore strength to each clan, shining forth with many foods, his brilliance fierce and unconquerable. As the youngest god, kindled by the clans, Agni became the messenger and bearer of offerings, the wide-sheltered, ghee-born eye of the gods, inspiring thought. When called from heaven with ghee, Agni, kind-hearted and well-kindled, grew strong, adorned with plants, surpassing all earthly powers. With offerings, mortals worshipped Agni as god, trusting Jātavedas to carry their gifts in proper order. Agni was the priest of the generous household, with whom sacrifices, prizes, and glories were united. Born anew from the kindling sticks like a child, Agni, the supporter of men and clans, was ever true to the rite. Yet he was elusive, hard to grasp like a son among mothers, and he had burned many forests, moving like cattle upon the pasture. Thus, in their sacred gathering, the worshippers honored Agni, the radiant mediator between gods and men, the giver of nourishment, wealth, and wisdom, whose flame ever leads the way to prosperity and truth.