The sages gathered in the sacred dawn, their hearts full of reverence, and addressed the radiant Agni, the divine fire. “Agni,” they prayed, “these offerings, spread far and wide, are yours to bear. Carry them ceaselessly to the gods, so that their fragrant blessings may descend upon us.” With humility, they pleaded, “Do not turn us away from strength, goodwill, or right-mindedness. Do not abandon us to hunger, to the forces of chaos, or to the lawless, whether we dwell at home or wander in the forest.” They entreated Agni to establish their prayers firmly. “O generous god, you show favor to those who give. Grant us success in both giving and receiving, and ever shield us with well-being.” They praised Agni’s easy approachability, his radiant form, and his ability to bring prosperity. “O son of strength, shine forth! May the noble hero always stand with us and never forsake us for another.” With sincerity, they implored, “Do not let us fall into the company of the unfortunate. Speak well of us among the gods and the fires. May harmful thoughts never destroy us, even if they arise, O son of the mighty one.” They acknowledged, “The mortal who offers oblations to you with reverence and devotion attains wealth among the immortals. Such a one receives the gifts of the gods, for whom the wise seeker comes asking.” “Agni, you know the path to great prosperity. Bring us abundant wealth for the noble, so that we may rejoice in strength, live long, and be victorious among people.” Again, they asked, “Establish our prayers, O generous one! May we be successful in all our exchanges and may you always protect us with well-being.” Turning to the present moment, they invited Agni, “Accept our kindling today and shine brightly, sending forth sacred smoke. Let your flames touch the summit of heaven, spreading the rays of the sun.” They praised Narāśaṃsa, offering sacrifices to honor his greatness, for the wise and pure gods delight in all offerings. To Agni, the messenger between earth and heaven, truthful and skilled, they offered worship, kindling the sacred fire as Manu once did, striving always for the sacred rite. The worshippers, with devotion, arranged the sacred grass for Agni and purified the oblation with clarified butter, their hands full of reverence. Those devoted to the gods gathered in the sacred enclosure, longing for divinity, united like a child embraced by mothers, forming a harmonious assembly. The divine maidens, Ushas and Night, great as heaven and rich as a milch cow, were invoked to come and bring prosperity, seated on the sacred grass. The inspired ones, the priests among men, were honored as worthy of worship. “Raise our sacrifice,” the sages implored, “and grant us the rewards we desire among the gods.” They called upon Bhāratī with her companions, Iḻā with gods and men, and Sarasvatī with the Sarasvats to approach and be seated upon the sacred grass, uniting the three goddesses at the rite. They invoked Tvaṣṭar, the nourishing god, to be favorable and grant abundance, for from him is born the heroic, skillful, and eager one who yearns for the gods and is ready for action. “O Lord of the Forest,” they prayed, “send forth the offering to the gods. Agni, the purifier, will distribute the oblation. Let the true priest perform the sacrifice, for he knows the origins of the gods.” Agni was called near, together with Indra and the swift gods. “Let Aditi and her good sons be seated on the sacred grass, and may the immortal gods rejoice with our offering.” With united fires, they made Agni, the god, the most worthy priest and messenger at the sacrifice—steadfast among mortals, protector, radiant, pure, and nourished with clarified butter. They marveled at Agni’s flame, likening it to a horse set free to graze, mighty and unrestrained, following the wind and leaving a blackened path behind. When Agni was kindled, newly born and powerful, his undying flames moved about, red smoke rising to the sky as he journeyed to the gods, messenger of the sacrifice. Agni’s force spread across the earth, consuming the offerings with devouring jaws, advancing like an army and selecting the barley with his tongue. At evening and dawn, men cleansed the youngest and most energetic Agni, as one would groom a horse. Ever shining, Agni blazed as a guest in his dwelling when offered. With a well-anointed face and shining aspect, Agni glowed like gold at the altar. His power, like thunder, resounded, and he revealed his brilliance like the sun. The sages served Agni with offerings and praises, with oblations rich in ghee, beseeching him to protect them with his boundless greatness and a hundred iron forts. They asked Agni Jātavedas to protect their lords and singers with his invincible songs and the gifts that please him. Agni, self-luminous, shone forth like a sharp axe hewn from wood, born from the wide womb of the mother, pure, wise, and fit for divine worship. They prayed, “Agni, grant us blessings. May we have wise and discerning power. Let all good things come to the one who praises and sings. Always protect us with well-being.” They offered bright oblations and pure thoughts to Agni, the knower, conqueror of all races, divine and human, by his wisdom. They wished for the clever Agni, even when young, to be present, wherever he was born of his mother. Pure and quick, he kindled many offerings and consumed abundant food. In Agni’s assembly, where mortals had taken their seats, Agni declared the human seed and blazed forth for the seeker, even for the distant one. This wise one, Agni, is established among mortals as immortal. “May we always be of good mind to you, O mighty one, and not be harmed.” Agni sat in the womb made by the gods, crossing over the immortals by his power. The darkness, the plants, the offspring of the forest, and the earth herself uphold him. Agni is lord of immortal abundance, of wealth, of the giver of heroic strength. “May we never turn away from you or your favor, never lacking sons or vigor.” “May we be lords of inexhaustible, ever-renewed wealth of the forest, O Agni. There is no other birth for the unmindful—do not let us stray from your path.” The fire of the forest is not easily seized, nor is the kindly one grasped by another’s belly or mind. Yet, even so, he returns home again—may the new, strong one come to us without harm. “Agni, protect us from the hostile and from reproach. Let the path come together for you as for the smoke, and let desirable, abundant wealth come together for you.” “Shine forth these blessings for us, Agni. May we attain wise and mindful resolve. Let all gifts be for those who praise and sing. Always protect us with well-being.” Finally, they raised their voices to Agni, the powerful, for the help of heaven and earth. Vaiśvānara, who has grown strong among the immortals, remains ever awake with the vigilant. Thus, with devotion and song, the sages honored Agni, the radiant messenger and protector, seeking his blessings, his guidance, and his unfailing presence among gods and men.