Agni, you are truly worthy of the sacred rites, the Hotar who dwells in the homes of the people. As the lord and protector of humanity, you are called upon to accept our offerings, O Angiras, and to grant us prosperity. Come to us, friend of Mitra, divine messenger—speak to the gods on our behalf, seeking the favor of heaven and earth. Bring us well-being and a secure dwelling; by your grace, may we cross safely over hatreds, distress, and misfortune. To those devoted to the gods and seeking the vast light, O Agni, grant your protection—let your righteousness and brilliance shield them. Together with Mitra and Varuna, you guard the faithful from harm and mortal suffering. Whoever worships with sacrifice and offerings, rejoicing in your presence and honoring you who opens the way, such a person, blessed by fame, is never harmed nor overtaken by distress. Your fierce flames, O Agni, are like the unblemished gaze of the sun. When you advance, your thoughts are formidable—roaring and swift, you are the leader whose presence stirs all and provides a home for the eager. Even your sharp, radiant form is great; you blaze like a horse ready for the race, licking like the tongue of an axe, melting and burning the wood like molten metal. One alone has truly sung your praises, sharpening your brilliance like a stream of molten gold. Your shining course is wondrous, tireless in action, and, like a craftsman with swift steps, you overcome all that is hostile. Like a bellowing bull, you are unstoppable, mighty and radiant, bringing forth the dawns as a friend. By night and by day, among mortals, you are the immortal red one, ever shining. You shine with new strength, like the fresh radiance of heaven, vigorous among the plants. Like the sun on his steady path, you fill both worlds with prosperity and wealth, O generous one. Whether you are yoked with swift steeds or with hymns, flashing like lightning or displaying your fierce powers, or when you have fashioned the host of the Maruts like an artisan, you, the mighty and impetuous, shine forth. As you, O son of strength, serve as priest for men, offering sacrifices to the gods, so now, Agni, be present with us in unity and harmony. Shine for us and worship the gods. May you, all-seeing Agni, guest of our dwelling, worthy of praise and knowledge, establish yourself among us. As the immortal among mortals, Jātavedas, rich in gifts, you become our guest at every dawn. You are like the heavens, dispelling darkness with your brilliance, clothing yourself in light like the shining sun. Unfailing and pure, you pervade all things, consuming even what is ancient. We speak of your deeds, O son of strength, whether new or old, for by your birth you have provided food. Bestow strength upon us, O source of power, like a king who protects his people with might. You, who consume the food set before you like the wind, never overstep the law nor neglect the offerings. Help us overcome adversaries who stir hostility from the beginning, like a thief caught and surrounded. Like the sun with radiant beams, Agni, you stretch out the two worlds with your light, driving away darkness as you shine, advancing like a messenger who brings gifts. For you, Agni, with your most delightful flames, we have chosen to offer our hymns, hoping you will hear us. Like Indra in might or Vāyu in heroism, the most powerful fill you with their bounty. Now, Agni, bring us welfare along friendly paths, grant us wealth and carry us beyond harm. To those who praise you, bestow good fortune, so that we may rejoice, a hundred strong, with heroic sons. I call upon you, youthful son of strength, most mighty, whose words are true and whose thoughts are powerful. You bestow riches, wise and generous to all, never failing. In you, O priest, are placed the ancient treasures, worthy of sacrifice at dawn and at home; in you, as in the earth, all beings find rest, and in your pure essence, all good fortunes are gathered. In the gatherings, you sit as charioteer of gifts, becoming lord of boons by your will. Wise Jātavedas, you distribute riches openly and secretly to the worshipper. Whoever seeks to harm us, openly or as a false friend, let him be scorched by your unfailing, strong bulls—burn him, O most fierce, with your blazing power. He who pleases you with sacrifice, kindling, and hymns, O son of strength, shines forth among mortals—immortal, wise, adorned with wealth, glory, and renown. When invoked, Agni, repel our foes with your might. Accept what you desire with your heavenly flames and words, O singer, and delight in our hymn. May we attain our desires, Agni, through your help—may we gain wealth, abundant riches, and strong offspring. Let us strive for strength and vigor, and may we enjoy your undiminishing, undecaying glory. With new praise, seeking your favor, I approach you, son of strength, with sacrifice, desiring protection. The shining one, black-backed and white, the divine Hotar, comes, splitting the wood. Bright and thundering, you stand in the shining realm, the youngest among the ageless ones, resounding and pure, following many and vast things, bearing them. Your flames, O Agni, driven everywhere by the wind, move brightly and purely. Fiercely shining, divine, and newly-born, they conquer and break the woods. Your bright, pure, and radiant horses, swift, spread over the earth; then your wheel shines widely along the ridge of the cloud. Your tongue, O mighty one, darts forth, destroying and releasing the consuming flame among the cattle. Like a hero’s advance, your power is hard to restrain and fiercely devours the forests. With your radiance, you have stretched over the earthly realms and ancient things, wielding your mighty, sharp weapon. Repel our fears, subdue our adversaries one after another. You, the wondrous one, grant us wondrous fortune and dominion, most wondrous in vigor. Grant us shining wealth, abundant with heroes, great and splendid, worthy of praise in shining songs. Agni is the head of heaven and the unassailable of earth, the universal, born from truth. The sage, the sovereign, the guest of the peoples—the gods brought him near, the vessel at hand. He is the navel of sacrifices, the seat of riches, the great and mighty one towards whom all press. The gods generated Agni Vaiśvānara, the charioteer of the rites, the sign of sacrifice. From you, Agni, the inspired and vigorous are born; from you, the heroes who conquer foes. Vaiśvānara, place among us the treasures we long for, O king, worthy of desire. All the gods approach you, O immortal, as you are born, like a child. By your powers, you attained immortality, Vaiśvānara, shining forth from your two parents. Your great laws, O Agni, cannot be overcome. When you were born, you found the sign among the paths of your parents, in the places of fire. By the measure of Vaiśvānara’s vision, the summits of heaven are marked by the sign of the immortal. Upon your head, all the worlds have grown, like birds, the seven streams. You, wise Vaiśvānara, have measured out the regions; you have spread out all the worlds, unassailable guardian and protector of immortality. Now, I proclaim the strength of the spotted, mighty, red one, the knower of all births, in the gatherings. For Vaiśvānara, my new, pure thought flows—lovely as purified Soma—offered to Agni.