Those who seek wealth and prosperity, ever vigilant, follow Agni as a herdsman leads his cattle, drawn by his radiant light and brilliance. Agni shines forth, visible and great, illuminating all things. With reverence, desiring fame and unblemished renown, they pursue the god’s path, establishing names worthy of sacrifice and striving for happiness in the sacred assembly. Agni is exalted by all peoples on earth—honored for the riches he bestows, the protector and guide, the one sought for safe passage, the father, the mother, and the steadfast support of humankind. Beloved among tribes and worthy of worship, Agni, the Hotar, sits delightfully at the heart of sacrifice. Into his shining presence within the house, devotees come with reverence, free from harm. Ever new and ever bright, Agni is approached by the wise and devoted, who worship him for favor, seeing in him the great light of heaven shining among the peoples. Agni, the sage of the clans, lord of the tribes, ever youthful and vigorous, advances as king and bull among men, desiring and shining, worthy of worship and lord of riches. The mortal who worships Agni and brings offerings with kindling finds joy; he who knows the oblation with reverence receives all desirable things from Agni. For such a one, Agni is worshipped with great reverence—kindling and offerings are made, and songs and hymns are sung on the altar, all striving for Agni’s gracious favor. Agni, who stretches out the two worlds with his radiance and is renowned among the renowned, distributes great and lasting riches, shining forth with wealth. Ever generous, Agni is asked to be kind as a friend, granting abundant offspring, descendants, and cattle, along with splendid blessings that bring good fame. Many and various are the treasures belonging to Agni. The king is implored for his wealth, for he is the giver of gifts and riches, the sovereign among all. Agni possesses lordly fame, like Mitra, and fosters prosperity as one nourishes strength. Peoples seek him with sacrifices and hymns, and the strong, unerring one traverses the realms as the universal leader. With one mind, humans kindle Agni, the sign of sacrifice from heaven, offering devotion at the ritual in hope of favor. The mortal who seeks Agni’s favor with thought prospers, crossing over hatred and distress with the help of the great heaven. He who offers the sharp oblation with kindling does not perish, but prospers in a long-lived, vital home. Agni’s smoke rises forcefully to the sky, bright and stretched out; like the sun, he shines as purifier with his flame. Agni is praised among the clans, cherished as a guest, delightful as a householder, a son to be protected. By his will, he is born in the vessel—like a champion to be fashioned, a calf in the lap, a horse to be harnessed, a child to be called. Even those things that do not move, like cattle to pasture, are consumed by Agni’s ageless flames. Agni is fit for the sacrificial act, the Hotar in the house of the people, the lord who accepts offerings and makes his devotees prosperous. He is called upon as friend of Mitra, to speak to the gods and bring favor from heaven and earth, well-being, good dwelling, and safe passage beyond hatreds and misfortunes. Agni protects those devoted to the gods who seek wide light, guarding them from harm and mortal distress together with Mitra and Varuna. Those who worship with sacrifices and offerings, giving to Agni who opens the way, are favored by fame and unharmed by distress. Like the sun, Agni’s gaze is unblemished; his fierce flames advance with formidable thoughts, roaring and swift, leading wherever he goes and stirring eager dwellings. His sharp form blazes like a horse harnessed for the race, licking like the tongue of an axe, melting and burning wood like molten metal. He alone sharpens Agni’s brilliance, whose shining course is wondrous and tireless, who overcomes the hostile with swift steps like a craftsman. Like a bellowing bull, Agni cannot be restrained; the mighty, radiant one brings forth the dawns as a friend, red among men by day and night, immortal and ever new. Agni shines among the plants with fresh radiance, vigorous and steady as the sun, filling both worlds with prosperity and wealth. Whether yoked with swift steeds or hymns, flashing like lightning with showers, or when he fashions the host of the Maruts, Agni shines forth as the mighty, impetuous artisan. Agni serves as priest for men, offering sacrifices to the gods, united and harmonious, attending and shining as he worships the deities. As the all-seeing guest of the dwelling, Jātavedas, worthy of praise and rich in gifts, becomes the immortal guest at each dawn. Like the heavens whose brightness dispels darkness, Agni clothes himself with light, pervading all, consuming even ancient things. His deeds, whether new or old, are spoken of; by his birth, Agni makes food and bestows strength like a king who protects his subjects. He who eats the food set before him, like the wind, does not overstep the law nor neglect offerings. May Agni help overcome adversaries who command hostility, like a thief seized and surrounded. Like the sun with radiant beams, Agni stretches out the worlds with his light, driving away darkness and advancing as a messenger who brings gifts. For Agni, the most delightful flames are chosen, that he may hear the prayers of his devotees. Like Indra or Vāyu, the most heroic fill Agni with their bounty. Agni is asked to bring welfare with unhostile paths, grant wealth, carry devotees beyond harm, bestow good fortune, and bring joy to those who praise him, granting heroic sons and prosperity. Agni, the youthful son of strength, is called upon as the most powerful, true in word and mighty in thought, bestower of riches, wise and bountiful, generous and never failing. In him, the ancient treasures are placed, worthy of sacrifice at dawns and in the dwelling. As in the earth, all beings rest in Agni, the pure one in whom all good fortunes are gathered.