To the radiant Agni, who multiplies the sacred rites and bestows bounties, the sages direct their words in reverence, honoring the mighty descendant of ancient lineages. Like a skilled craftsman shaping his creation, so has Agni come forth among us, manifesting by the will of the glorious one. Lord among gods, Agni surpasses all in splendor; may he approach us, bringing with him the treasures of the divine. Let us praise Agni, the most renowned among priests, the ancient presence in every sacrifice. His flames are pure and bright; as the eldest in every household, he shines forth, his fame spreading far and wide. Sing to Agni, the swift and inspired one, as you would to a racing horse or a guiding friend. Even the wives, bearing offerings, lift their voices to him, settling in the domain of Vāyu. On the triple-covered sacred grass, firm and pure, even the waters have set their step, honoring the path of the generous god. Agni’s step, radiant as the sun and aided by invincible powers, is auspicious to behold. O shining Agni, with your thoughts of ghee and your blazing flame, lead the gods to this worship. You were brought forth by mothers, by gods, and by the Angirases—Agni, the immortal sage, the bearer of offerings. Wise and chosen as the messenger, you carry the offerings to the gods. Though I have no cow to sacrifice nor portion to withhold, I bring what I can, O Agni. Whatever woods we lay before you, accept them all, youngest one. Even what the upajihvikā eats, or what the ant creeps over—let all this be your ghee. The mortal who kindles Agni with devoted mind and thought, who praises him among the radiant ones, is blessed. Agni, the best knower of the paths, in whom the sacred laws are placed, is approached by noble songs. Agni, son of Divodāsa, has caused the gods to turn toward us with their course. He has spread out after his mother, the earth, and stands resplendent on the summit of the sky. From him, peoples tremble; he performs deeds of praise. Offer your thoughts to Agni, who possesses a thousand treasures. Whomever Agni wishes to enrich—whoever among mortals serves him—gains a heroic son, a singer of hymns, and one who nourishes a thousand by his own nature. Such a devotee overcomes strongholds, wins prizes, and attains unfailing fame. In Agni, the ever-youthful god, we seek all desirable things. He is the giver of all treasures, the delightful priest of the people, to whom the first vessels of honey belong. To Agni, our praises are directed. Like horses yoked to a chariot, the generous and godly youths are stirred by songs. O mighty lord of all, grant us offspring and descendants, and bestow upon us the wealth of the generous. Sing to Agni, the most exalted, the great upholder of order, the radiant and shining one. The generous Agni, famed for heroes, comes eagerly when kindled and invoked with splendor; may his newest favor come to us, bringing riches. Praise Agni, the dearest and most beloved guest, the guide of chariots. He rises and sets, knows all wealth, and is ever worthy of sacrifice; he moves forth on his own path, and for the wise seeker, his ways are not difficult to cross. Let not Agni, the generous guest and much-praised priest, depart from us—he who performs the proper rites. Let no harm come to you, O Agni, from our true words, nor from any other gods. Even the humble seek you as messenger, you who are ever invoked and who perform the sacred rites. Agni, come with the Maruts, with the Rudras, to drink Soma. Rejoice in our good praise, O bringer of light, together with your household. Now, Soma flows, with a most pleasant and exhilarating stream, pressed for Indra to drink. Soma, destroyer of demons and all-pervading among men, you have returned to your place of origin, resting in the wooden vessel. Become vast and mighty, O Soma, slayer of Vṛtra; grant us the wealth of the generous. Flow forth, O exhilarating one, to the assembly of the great gods; bring us strength and fame. To you we come, O Indu, again and again, for in you are our hopes. The daughter of the sun purifies your flowing Soma with her constant garment, while ten maidens, like sisters, grasp you together in the distant sky. The unbending ones press Soma; they blow forth the sweet, triple-layered, honeyed draught. The unyoked cows strain the Soma, the divine calf, for Indra to drink. In his exhilaration, Indra slays all his foes; the hero rejoices in the gifts bestowed. Thus, in the sacred rites, Agni is kindled and Soma flows, the gods are invoked, and the blessings of strength, wealth, and joy are sought by those who worship with pure hearts and devoted minds.