In the ancient days, the gods themselves kindled a being of truth and brilliance—Agni, the Hotar, whose delightful tongue brought forth splendid offerings. Even the earliest deities revered him, for Agni shone with radiant presence, his flames carrying the prayers and oblations heavenward. With the most excellent and gracious favor, Agni was invoked to be mindful of humankind, to shine upon them with wealth and noble praises, bestowing blessings upon those who called to him. Agni reigns supreme among the gods and has entered the realm of mortals, becoming their bearer of offerings. He is to be worshipped with heartfelt prayers, for he is most renowned, wise, and unconquered. Agni lifts the worshipper’s voice so it is heard, and grants a son as lord to the devotee, ensuring their lineage and prosperity. He gives a true lord, one who prevails in battle, and bestows swift horses—victorious and unconquered champions. Whatever is most excellent, radiant Agni, belongs to you; wealth and strength, like a queen, arise from your favor. Your hymns, Agni, resound like the striking of stones, their thunderous sound rising to the sky. Eager for wealth, we praise you, mighty one, and ask that you lead us safely past all foes, O wise protector. Agni, the pure one, with your shining light and delightful divine tongue, is called upon to bring the gods to the sacrifice and worship them. Adorned with ghee and shining brightly like the sun, Agni is visible to all, drawing the gods to partake in the offerings. We kindle you, Agni, the radiant and great one, the bearer of offerings at the sacrifice. Come with all the gods to receive the oblation, for you are chosen as the Hotar. Agni, bring heroic strength to the worshipper who presses the Soma; sit with the gods upon the sacred grass. Kindled, you conquer thousands and uphold the rites, messenger of the gods, worthy of all praise. Place Agni, the knower of all births, the youngest and bearer of offering, as the divine priest. Let the sacrifice approach you, O most godlike; spread the sacred grass for the gods to sit, and let the Maruts, the Ashvins, Mitra, Varuna, and all the hosts of gods take their seats. Agni, the generous lord, never failing, is praised for his might and bounty, strong with herds. Of the three Vrishnis, Agni, with ten thousands, is universal and aware. He who gives a hundred and twenty cows and swift steeds, O universal Agni, praised and growing strong, grant protection to Tryaruna. Thus, Agni, grant your favor to Trasadasyu, who praises me with many songs, and to Tryaruna, who glorifies me with the ancient hymn. He who says, “For the Ashvamedha, for the lord of the sun,” gives with a hymn a companion for gain and wisdom for immortality. His fierce ones, a hundred, urge on the gifts of the Ashvamedha, like Soma juices, three-headed. Indra and Agni, at the Ashvamedha with a hundred gifts, uphold great power, undying in the vast heaven like the sun. Kindled, Agni shines with his flame in the sky, facing the dawn and spreading widely. The gods, desiring the offering, come forth with reverence, bringing clarified butter. As Agni is kindled, he rules over immortality and joins with the sacrificer for their welfare, bestowing all wealth and granting hospitality to the guest at the forefront. Agni strives for great good fortune and highest glories, uniting kinship, making the people well-yoked, and standing against enemies with his might. Agni’s brilliance is praised, for he is the bull, full of glory, kindled in sacrifices. Summoned, Agni leads the gods to the rite, for he is truly the bearer of the oblation. Offer and honor Agni with pure intention at the sacrifice, choosing him as the bearer of the offering. Aryaman, the divine father of men, is threefold, upholding three shining realms in heaven. The Maruts, pure in strength, praise Indra, their sage and steadfast hero. When the Maruts rejoiced and praised Indra, who delights in the pressed Soma, he took up the thunderbolt and struck the serpent, releasing the mighty waters to flow. The Maruts, together with the priests, desired that Indra drink the well-pressed Soma, for that offering was found for man—he slew the serpent and drank of it. Indra then stretched apart earth and heaven, causing even those who trembled to fear like wild beasts. Undaunted, he struck down the roaring Dānava as it breathed out. By their will, all the generous gods gave Indra the right to drink Soma, when the green horses of the sun, ever advancing, moved forward at his command. With his thunderbolt, Indra split open ninety-nine strongholds together, and the Maruts, praising him in their assembly with the Traiṣṭubh hymn, drove away the darkness. As a friend for friendship, Agni consumed three hundred buffaloes by his will; Indra, together with men, drank the Soma for the slaying of Vṛtra at the three gatherings. When the generous one, desiring no harm, took three hundred buffaloes and three gatherings of Soma, all the gods called the priest, just as they did when Indra slew the serpent. When Usanā, with powerful horses, brought Indra to his house, Indra came with eager steeds. There, striving together, he journeyed with Kutsā and the gods, protecting them, and destroyed Śuṣṇa. Indra set the wheel of the sun rolling forward for Kutsā, opening a new path for him to travel alone; he struck down the noseless Dasyus with death and drove away those of evil speech from their home. Hymns of praise, like lowing cows, increased Indra’s power. For Vaidathina, Indra subdued Pipru. Ṛjiśvan made Indra his friend, and Indra, wise one, cooked the portions and drank his Soma. Thus, through the sacred rites, the hymns, and the offerings, the gods—Agni, Indra, and their companions—are worshipped, their deeds remembered, and their blessings sought by those who honor them.