In ancient times, the clans gathered and honored Agni, the radiant one, as their foremost and eternal guest. They seated him at the heart of their homes, his flaming hair blazing brightly, recognizing him as the master of the household. Agni’s brilliance shone with many forms, self-sustaining and ever-youthful, the bringer of wealth and the protector against decay. He was their great shelter and the foe of old age. It was Agni whom all the human clans sought, for he alone was the knower and discerner of the sacred rites. Though hidden from sight, he saw all things, and his voice roared mightily. He was the good sacrificer, shining forth when offered ghee, and the bestower of treasures upon those who invoked him. With reverence, the people approached Agni, strong as a pillar and supporter of all. Through their songs and their worship, they invited him to accept their offerings, hoping he would bring them glory and good gifts. Agni, ancient and much-praised, bore strength to each clan. He shone forth with many foods, his fierce brilliance unrestrained, nourishing all by his might. When kindled, Agni, though youngest among the gods, became their messenger, the bearer of offerings. The gods made him their wide-sheltering eye, born of ghee, invoked to urge their thoughts. When called from heaven with ghee, Agni, the kind-hearted one, was kindled and grew strong, adorned with plants, surpassing all earthly powers. Mortals worshipped Agni with offerings, honoring him as Jātavedas, the knower of all births, and trusted him to carry their gifts in the proper order. He was the priest of the generous, the guardian of the sacred grass in every home, with whom sacrifices, prizes, and glories were joined. As a child, Agni was born anew from the kindling sticks, the supporter of men and clans, always true to the rite. Yet, he was elusive, hard to grasp like a son among mothers, and powerful enough to burn vast forests, moving like cattle on the pasture. When the flames rose straight, stirred like a smith’s fire by a mighty blower, Agni blazed forth with smoke, unstoppable. With Agni’s help, and the favor of Mitra, people sought to overcome hatred and avoid the evils of mortals. They prayed for wealth—strong, victorious, and nourishing—that would spread widely, grant success in contests, and ensure growth in battle. Agni was called upon to bring the most powerful and harmless glory, to lead his devotees on the path to strength and protect them from loss. By his wondrous power and wisdom, he ascended to lordship and, like Mitra, was worthy of sacrifice. He increased the life and prosperity of those who praised him and brought gifts, granting bounty to the seekers. Those whose splendid songs shone forth, who were rich in horses and mighty men, gained fame that reached the sky and were known by their own nature. Agni’s flames advanced like swift chariots, roaring and flashing like lightning. For the fulfillment of all desires and the granting of wealth, Agni was invoked to help his devotees overcome every obstacle. Praised by the Angiras, he was asked to bring riches and ensure victory in battle. Agni, the vigilant guardian of the people, was born wise and ever-watchful, bringing new prosperity. His face, brightened with ghee, touched the vast sky and shone with pure splendor for the worshipers. As the sign and first priest of sacrifice, Agni was kindled on three altars and sat with Indra and the gods on the sacred grass as the skillful Hotar. Born unsoiled and pure from his mothers, Agni rose up like the sun, delightful and sage. When kindled with ghee, his smoke became the sign established in heaven. People invited Agni to their sacrifices with favor, distributing him in every house, for he became the messenger and carrier of offerings. Those who chose Agni chose wisdom and insight. To Agni, sweetest words and thoughts were offered, bringing happiness to the heart. The rivers and great earths, like streams, filled him with strength and made him grow. The Angirases found Agni hidden, shining in every wood, and when churned, he was born mighty, the son of strength. For Agni, the great and worthy of sacrifice, the bull of truth and lord, hymns were offered like clarified butter. The song, well-purified, was brought to him face to face. Seeking the path of truth, the devotees pursued the ancient streams of righteousness, shunning force and duplicity, and longing for the truth of the red bull. They wondered how Agni, true to truth, became aware of their new hymn, for he alone knew the seasons and the master of wealth. They questioned who were Agni’s bondsmen, his radiant guardians, those who protected against falsehood, and the keepers of righteous words. Among Agni’s companions, some were auspicious and some not; some faltered, speaking of righteousness yet acting otherwise. He who sought the sacrifice with reverence protected the truth and the red bull. May the broad, good dwelling of the striving Nahusha remain. With praise, the people called and kindled Agni for aid. They honored him with swift songs, touching the sky, for he was the bringer of divine wealth. May Agni accept their words as the priest among men and worship the divine assembly. Renowned and chosen, Agni was worthy of honor, spreading the sacrifice through his power. The sages exalted him, the most winning of strength, and sought noble vigor from him. Like a wheel without a rim, Agni surpassed the gods, arranging splendid gifts for his devotees. With praise, they awakened Agni, the kindled and immortal, placing their offerings among the gods. At the rituals, mortals worshipped him as the immortal, the most fitting for sacrifice among men. And so, Agni, ever-present and ever-pure, remained at the heart of the people’s worship, the eternal flame guiding them on the path of truth and prosperity.