In the ancient days, the gods established Agni here for Manu, making him most fit for sacrifice and the bearer of offerings. It was Kanva, the pure guest, who kindled Agni, the bringer of wealth—he whom the mighty, the praised one, honored. Agni, thus kindled by Kanva in accord with truth, shone forth with radiant brilliance, and to him these hymns were dedicated, his greatness magnified by devoted voices. Agni, you are the fulfiller of wealth, for your inherent power dwells among the gods. You are the sovereign of strength and fame; in your greatness, show us your grace. Rise up for our aid, Agni, and stand upright like Savitar, the god who bestows strength. Stand tall as the giver of might, when we call upon you with praise and offerings. Guard us from harm above with your sacred sign, O Agni. Burn away every adversary, make us rise strong for the chariot and for life, and reveal to us favor among the gods. Protect us from the demon, from distress, and from those with malicious intent. Shield us from all who wish us harm, O youngest and most radiant one. Strike down the wicked on every side, Agni, like a hammer crushing the foe. Let not any mortal who delights in evil deeds become our enemy or hold power over us. You have granted strength and prosperity to Kanva, and brought Mitra, the pure guest; you have bestowed all that is praised. With your presence, Agni, we call Turvasha and Yadu from afar—the mighty god. You led Avavastha, Brhadratha, and Turviti to victory over the Dasyu. Manu established you, Agni, as a light for all humanity, and Kanva, born of truth, kindled you, whom all peoples honor. Your mighty, awe-inspiring flames, Agni, are unconquered terrors. Ever drive away the demon and the foe; burn up every adversary. With joy, the troop of Maruts—invincible and splendid in their chariots—were praised by the Kanvas. These Maruts, born with their own brilliance, came with speckled steeds, spears, axes, and ornaments. The crack of their whips rang out as they drove, making their chariots resound with a multitude of sounds. For this troop, ever vigorous and splendid, the hymn was sung in divine worship. Blessings were proclaimed among the cows as the Maruts rejoiced, growing strong in the thunder of the sacred juice. Among these powerful ones, whose impulses come from heaven and earth, which is the mightiest, when even the unshakable is shaken? At their march, mortals set out for the fierce and the mighty; mountains and hills trembled before them. At their yoking, the earth herself, like a wife, submitted to the lord of the people, quaking in fear at their approach. The vigor of their offspring was firm, their strength doubled for the mother’s nourishment. The sons raised their voices upward, strong and eager for the journey, like posts on the yoke. Even that long, broad, unyielding offspring of the cloud, the Maruts set in motion with their courses. None could withstand their might; even mountains were shaken by their strength. Whenever the Maruts went forth, they spoke together on their path, and someone surely heard them. They sped swiftly with their rapid steeds, their favor present among the Kanvas, rejoicing on their way. Truly, there was joy among them; and among these, may we live out the full span of life. “How now, Maruts, do you hold us dear, as a father holds his son in his hands, you who are adorned with sacrificial grass?” the people wondered. “Where will you go for your aim, O Maruts—from heaven or from earth? Where do your cows not wander? Where are your new blessings and good guidance?” “If you, born of Prisni, were to become mortal, may your worshipper become immortal,” they prayed. “Let not your singer become, like a beast at pasture, unpleasing to you or led onto the path of Yama. Let not far or near destruction, hard to overcome, strike us; set us instead on a path together with water.” Truly, the Maruts were fierce and mighty, O Rudra-like ones, even on the plain, making rain without wind. Like a cow, the lightning lowed; like a mother, she let her calf go when their rain was released. Even by day, they made darkness, joining with Parjanya, the cloud-bearer, and split the earth apart. At the roar of the Maruts, all dwellings upon earth trembled, and the people were shaken. With winnowing hands, the Maruts sped along the shining, wide spaces in tireless courses. Their chariot-wheels were firm, their horses strong, their reins well fashioned. With devoted speech, the people addressed Brahmanaspati for long life, and Agni, the radiant friend, as one visible. “Fashion a song from your mouth, as the rain-giver stretches forth; sing the hymn and the chant,” they prayed, offering their reverence to the gods.