Agni, the divine fire, is established in heaven as a radiant presence, guiding all beings upon earth. He is the mighty bull among rivers and the strongest among assembled hosts. As Vaiśvānara, he shines forth among human clans, ever growing through his own excellence. So great is his power that, out of awe, the clans gather together, leaving behind their food and uniting in his presence, their meals abandoned. For Vaiśvānara, shining for the Pūru people, is praised most when, as Agni, he destroys the fortresses of the unrighteous. The earth and the sky, in all their threefold forms, follow the law of Vaiśvānara, O Agni. With unceasing flame and radiant light, you stretch across both worlds, illuminating all with your glory. To you, Agni, golden-hued hymns converge, and clarified butter is offered in the sacred churnings. You are the lord of peoples, the charioteer of riches, the beacon of dawns, and the doer of mighty deeds. In you, the Vasus have placed lordship, accepting your wise counsel, O friend of Mitra. You, Agni, drive away the Dasyus and darkness, creating broad light for the Arya. Born in the highest heaven, you swiftly guard the paths like the wind. As Jātavedas, you generate worlds and bestow prosperity upon offspring, ever granting your favor. O Agni, Vaiśvānara, Jātavedas, grant us that radiant and desirable wealth with which you nourish the generous and bestow broad fame upon the devoted mortal. Grant us, Agni, abundant and renowned wealth for the generous, bring us strength and glory. Vaiśvānara, together with the Rudras and Vasus, shield us with great protection. I praise the glory of the lordly Asura, leader of peoples and the wise one. Like Indra, I honor your deeds of strength, and as one who praises, I speak of the sacred wood. I invoke the sage, the beacon, the radiant one, the carrier of light from the mountain. The two worlds grant royal favor, and with songs I call upon the ancient, great vows of Agni, the destroyer of fortresses. He has driven away those of weak resolve, the boastful, the harsh of speech, the faithless, the unprosperous, and the non-sacrificers. Agni has expelled the Dasyus, making both the former and latter non-sacrificers depart. He, the lord, turned those who rejoiced in darkness eastward, the most heroic with his powers. I praise Agni, the ruler of wealth, undefeated and the tamer of adversaries. With his might, he drove out enemies from their homes, making the wives of the Arya shine like the dawns. That powerful, youthful Agni restrained the hostile, strengthening the clans with his vigor. All peoples seek refuge in his protection, desiring his favor. Vaiśvānara, best of the two worlds, Agni, sits in the lap of his parents. The god Vaiśvānara has bestowed the treasures of the deep, rising with the sun. Agni has given from the ocean, from the farthest reaches, from below and above, from heaven and earth. I call upon Agni, the god of strength, swift as a horse, with reverence. Be our messenger, knowing the sacrifice, wise among the gods and true to purpose. Come, Agni, along the proper paths, delighting in the fellowship of the gods; gladly accept their friendship. With your powers, resounding upon the earth’s summit, you shake all plants and beings with your blows. The sacrifice faces east, the sacred grass is well prepared, and Agni, invoked, is pleased like a Hotar. Calling upon the all-encompassing Mothers, O youngest one, you are born as the most auspicious. At the ritual, the wise men create the charioteer, the most discerning among them. Agni, lord of the people, is established in the house, sweet-tongued, speaking truth, and upholding order. The chosen fire has taken its seat; Agni has arrived, the priest and supporter in the assembly of men. Heaven and earth strengthen him, and the Hotar worships the all-encompassing one. Those with splendor surpass all, those who compose the noble hymn, the skillful. Attentive, they surpass all peoples, kindling for me the flame of truth. Now, O Agni, we Vasiṣṭhas invoke you, lord of strength, son of power, amidst treasures. Grant the generous praisers unfailing sustenance; always protect us with blessings. The king, peerless and kindled with reverence, is invoked with ghee. Men worship Agni with offerings; he shines at the fore with the dawns, radiant. This mighty one, recognized as the Hotar, is delightful and strong among men. Spreading light, he moves across the earth, adorned with black-tipped plants. By what means, Agni, will you grant us abundant and excellent praise, fulfilling our desires as you are praised? When shall we become lords of good counsel, winners of wealth, overcoming the difficult path? The fame of Agni among the Bharatas is heard, for like the sun, he shines with great light. He stood by Pūru in battles, blazing, the divine guest, shining forth. Many are your offerings at the invocation, Agni, with all your gracious forms. Even when praised, you hear, O Agni; increase yourself, well-born, by your own power. Let this word, a hundredfold, a thousandfold, be composed for Agni, the two-barhish one. May it bring joy to the praisers, be helpful, full of splendor, dispelling want and destroying harm. Now, O Agni, we Vasiṣṭhas again invoke you, lord of strength, son of power, amidst treasures. Grant the generous praisers unfailing sustenance; always protect us with blessings. The lover has awakened at the lap of the dawns, the Hotar, delightful, most wise, and pure. He sets the sign for all beings, bearing offerings to the gods and wealth to the doers of good. The wise one breaks through the fortresses of the niggards, purifying the hymn and bringing us abundant food. The Hotar, delightful and lord of the people, dispels darkness, appearing among the shining ones. Unfailing, the sage, Aditi, radiant one, friend, and guest, is auspicious for us. With brilliant light, he shines at the fore of the dawns; the embryo of waters has entered the expanse. Worthy of worship are you, Jātavedas, among men through the ages, O pure one. With beautiful light, you shine; at your kindling, the cows awaken. Agni, come for the mission, do not fail; approach the gods with those who perform the hymns. Worship Sarasvatī, the Maruts, the Aśvins, the waters, all the gods for the bestowal of treasures. Vasiṣṭha, having kindled you, Agni, seeks protection and prosperity; O Jātavedas, grow strong with many offerings. May you always guard us with blessings. Like a lover, O Dawn, with broad strength you shine, resplendent and glowing. The vigorous, golden one, pure, shines with radiance, stirring the awakened and urging thoughts onward. Dawn has made the shining realm visible; those awakened, like priests, offer their thoughts in sacrifice. Agni, knowing all births, comes with knowledge, like a skilled messenger eager for the gods. Hymns and thoughts devoted to the gods go to Agni, seeking wealth. He is well-seen, beautiful in form, gracious, the bearer of offerings, and the delight of humankind. Agni, bring Indra to us with the Vasus, united; bring the mighty Rudra with the Rudras; with the Ādityas, bring Aditi, mother of all; bring Bṛhaspati with the singers, the all-encompassing. The awakened ones praise Agni, the most youthful, as the gracious priest at the sacrifices. For he has become the protector of nights and treasures, tireless messenger, most fit to worship the gods. Thus, Agni, radiant and wise, stands ever at the heart of sacrifice, the guardian, the messenger, the bestower of wealth and protection, the light that leads humankind and upholds the truth through all ages.