Hear now the story of Agni, the radiant son of strength, as sung in the ancient hymns. Just as he serves as the priest among men, offering their sacrifices to the gods, so too is he called now, united and harmonious, to attend and shine upon us, worshipping the deities with his brilliant presence. Agni is the all-seeing guest in every dwelling, worthy of praise and knowledge. Though immortal, he abides among mortals as Jātavedas, rich in gifts, arriving at the dawns as the honored guest. Like the heavens whose brightness dispels the darkness, Agni clothes himself with light, shining like the sun. Ever pure and unfailing, he pervades all, consuming what is offered, even the most ancient things. We recall and speak of Agni’s deeds, both new and old, for by his birth he has made food for all. As the source of strength, he bestows vigor upon his worshippers, protecting them as a mighty king shields his people. He partakes of the offerings set before him, like the wind that never oversteps the law nor neglects what is due. By Agni’s power, may we overcome adversaries who bring hostility, surrounding them as one would seize a thief. With radiant beams like the sun, Agni stretches out the two worlds with his light, driving away darkness with his flaming brilliance. He advances like a messenger bearing gifts. To him, whose flames are most delightful, the worshippers offer their praise, seeking that he may hear them greatly, as Indra or Vāyu are filled with heroic bounty. Agni is invoked to bring welfare along paths free from hostility, to grant wealth, and carry his devotees beyond harm. To those who praise him, he bestows good fortune, so that they may rejoice in strength and with heroic sons. The worshippers call upon Agni, the youthful son of strength, most powerful, whose words are true and whose thoughts are mighty. He is wise and generous, bestowing riches unfailingly upon all. In him, the ancient treasures are placed, both at dawn and within the home. Like the earth that supports all beings, Agni, the pure one, gathers every good fortune. In the gatherings, Agni sits as the charioteer of gifts, becoming lord of boons by his will. Wise Jātavedas openly and secretly distributes wealth to those who worship him. Should any seek to harm his devotees, whether openly or as false friends, Agni’s unfailing, strong flames scorch them; with blazing power, he burns the hostile. He who pleases Agni with sacrifice, kindling, and hymns, shines forth among mortals with wealth, glory, and renown, for the immortal Agni grants these gifts. When invoked, Agni is asked to repel foes with might, to accept what he desires with his heavenly flames and words, and to delight in the offered hymns. By Agni’s help, may the worshippers attain their desires—wealth, abundant riches, strong offspring, and undiminishing glory, striving always for vigor and strength. With new praise and seeking favor, the devotee approaches Agni, the son of strength, desiring protection. Agni, the shining, black-backed, white one, the divine Hotar, comes forth, splitting the wood for sacrifice. He is bright and thundering, standing in the shining realm, the youngest among the ageless, resounding ones. Purest and most excellent, Agni follows many vast things, bearing them. His flames, driven everywhere by the wind, move brightly and purely, fiercely conquering the woods and breaking them with force. Agni’s radiant horses, swift and spreading over the earth, shine widely as his wheel moves along the ridges of the clouds. His tongue darts forth, destroying and releasing consuming flame among the cattle. Like a hero advancing, Agni’s power fiercely devours the forests. With his radiance, Agni stretches over the earthly realms and the ancient things, wielding the force of his mighty, sharp weapon. He is asked to repel fears with his powers and subdue adversaries, one after another. This wondrous one, the maker of wonders, grants wondrous fortune and dominion, bestowing shining wealth, abundant with heroes, great and splendid, worthy of praise. Agni is the head of heaven and the unassailable of earth, universal and born from truth. The sage, the sovereign, the guest of all peoples, is brought near by the gods as the vessel at hand. He is the navel of sacrifices, the seat of riches, great and mighty, towards whom all press on. The gods generated Agni Vaiśvānara, the charioteer of the rites, the sign of sacrifice. From Agni, the inspired and vigorous are born; from him come heroes, conquerors of foes. Vaiśvānara is asked to place desirable treasures among his devotees, as a king worthy of longing. All the gods approach the immortal Agni as he is born, like a child. By his powers, Vaiśvānara attained immortality, shining forth from his two parents. None can overcome Agni’s great laws. When he was born, he found the sign among the paths of his 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 his head, all the worlds have grown, like birds, the seven streams. Wise and of good counsel, Vaiśvānara has measured out the regions, the shining realms of heaven. He has spread out all the worlds, standing unassailable as the guardian and protector of immortality. The strength of the spotted, mighty, red one—Agni, knower of all births—is proclaimed in the assemblies. New and pure thoughts, as lovely as purified Soma, are offered to Vaiśvānara. Born in the highest heaven, Agni observes vows and protects the laws. Wise Vaiśvānara measures the midspace and, with his greatness, touches the summit. Mitra, the wondrous one, propped apart heaven and earth, creating light by his radiance. Vaiśvānara, like rolling up skins, removed the coverings and took up all strength. Upon the lap of the waters, the mighty ones seized the king of the people and stood near the hymn-bearer. Mātariśvan, the messenger, brought Agni, Vaiśvānara, from afar for Vivasvat. In every age, Agni is asked to grant wealth and new glory to those who praise him. Like a purifier, unblemished and ageless, he is called to cut down the hostile ones by his power, as a woodcutter fells trees. Agni is entreated to sustain for his devotees undiminished dominion and unfailing heroism, so that with his help they may conquer abundant and thousand-fold prizes. With flawless guardians, Agni is invoked to protect the wealth of his devotees, seated at the threefold altar. He is asked to guard against the hostile and drive away their force, surpassing them as the praised one. Day and night, black and bright, revolve on their known paths. Vaiśvānara Agni, born like a king, surpasses darkness with his light. The worshipper confesses not knowing the thread or the weaving, nor what the skilled ones weave in the assembly, nor whose son speaks these words—who speaks above, who below, with his father? Yet Agni knows the thread and the weaving, and speaks the words rightly. He who perceives this, the guardian of immortality, moves freely, seeing differently from others. Agni is the first Hotar, perceiving the immortal light among mortals. He is born, firmly established, immortal, ever growing with his own body. Thus, Agni is praised: the radiant priest, the immortal guest, the guardian, the giver of strength and wealth, the conqueror of darkness, and the protector of all who worship him.