I sing praise to Agni, the ancient and worthy priest, beloved by all, wise in his actions and radiant in the glory of the sacred rituals. Accepting the offerings of the Angiras, Agni, you are called upon to lead the sacrifice along the right path. When you are kindled and shining brightly, you bring the divine assembly to us, O wise one. We seek you, Agni, the honest and discerning priest, marked by your smoke-banner and shining presence, the very sign of sacrifice itself. Protect us, Agni; always guard us from harm, mighty god. Break apart all hatred and ill-will with your strength. With ancient wisdom and your own shining form, you, the sage, have grown strong among the inspired. At this sacred rite, I call upon you, Agni, son of strength, whose flame is pure and radiant. May you, our mighty friend, with your bright flame, take your seat upon the sacred grass together with the gods. Whoever, as a mortal, honors you, Agni, the divine one, within his home, for him you grant radiant wealth. You are the crown of heaven, the lord of earth, and the stirrer of the seeds in the waters. Your pure, shining flames rise up, and your beams of light are worshipped. You are the lord of gifts, Agni, the giver of treasures and master of glory. May I always sing under your protection. To you, Agni, the wise direct their thoughts; to you, they send their intentions. May our songs increase your greatness. We choose your friendship, Agni, the steadfast and self-sustaining messenger, ever resounding. In vow and in purity, you are most pure, as a sage, as a poet; pure you shine when invoked. Let my thoughts and all my songs always exalt you; be ever aware of our friendship. If I may be with you, Agni, or you with me, let true blessings be fulfilled here. You are the wealthy one, the lord of riches, the shining one of desire; may we be ever in your good favor. To you, steadfast in vow, our songs flow like rivers to the ocean. I praise you, Agni, youthful lord of the people, wise and all-knowing, of many forms, with all my thoughts. For the chariot of sacrifices, for the sharp-jawed, for the mighty, we offer our praises to you. Let this singer be yours, Agni, always devoted; O pure one, show him mercy. The wise sage never sleeps at the feast; Agni, you shine in the sky. O poet, from ancient harms and conflicts, carry our life forward, O generous one. Those who kindle Agni and spread the sacred grass in due order—Indra, young and as a friend, belongs to them. Great is their kindling, abundant their praise, wide their song—Indra, young and as a friend, belongs to them. Without battle, yet with warriors, the hero wins by his strength—Indra, young and as a friend, belongs to them. When the slayer of Vṛtra was born, he placed the sacred drop and questioned his mother: "Who are the mighty? Who indeed are heard?" To you, the strong, speech is directed; the mountains do not restrain you, O lord of riches, against those who declare enmity toward you. O generous one, you listen to those who desire, and grant what they seek; whatever you wish to overthrow, you overthrow. When Indra goes to battle with his own horses, he is the best charioteer among charioteers. Scatter all hostilities, O wielder of the bolt; drive them far away and be for us the most renowned. May Indra make our chariot strong for the prize, a chariot that the envious cannot overturn. May we turn aside your haters, O mighty one, through your bounty; may Indra lead us to wealth and cattle. Even those who advance slowly, O stone-armed one, with horses and hundreds of cattle, the eager and tireless, reach their goal. For high for you, day by day, are thousands and hundreds of generous gifts, measured out for the singers. We know you, Indra, as the winner of wealth, who breaks even the firm, like one who splits a house. Let the bold, the rich, delight you, O wise one, wherever you are, as we seek to win the treasure from the Panis. Whatever generous one, eager for gifts, has sought your favor—bring us knowledge of his wealth. These, your friends, O Indra, the Soma-offerers, look upon you as nourishing, just as cattle look to their pasture.