Those who serve Agni, or whom Agni instructs, receive his blessings and abundance; the wise fire grants wealth to his devotees. Seated among the descendants of Manu, Agni acts as the Hotar, the priest, and is indeed the lord of homes and prosperity. Those desiring progeny unite, guided by their own wisdom and power, lacking nothing in understanding. Sons accept their fathers’ intentions, eager to listen and swiftly carrying out his commands. Generous and expansive, Agni spreads wealth for the multitude, and the householder, honoring him, upholds the heavens with steadfast supports. Bright and radiant, Agni shines forth like a lover awaiting dawn, aligning himself as the celestial light. Born anew by his own will, Agni is both father and son among the gods, embodying their unity. Wise and ever unsated, Agni draws forth the nourishing essence from cows—the sweet drink cherished by the ancestors. Delightful and worthy of invocation, Agni sits at the heart of the household, charming all with his presence. Like a beloved son or a pleased steed, he brings people safely across the challenges of life. When he calls the gathered, Agni in his divinity embraces all, uniting them. None violate the sacred laws he establishes, for he grants the gift of hearing and understanding to those he gathers. Harnessed with men, Agni’s power destroys obstacles, clearing the path ahead. Radiant as a lover at dawn, Agni reveals his familiar form to the devoted. With his own strength, he removes what is distant, drawing all the shining ones near. With ancient wisdom, devotees seek Agni’s bright flame, which fulfills every desire. Wise, he knows the divine laws and the origins of humankind. Agni is the seed of waters, forests, and all that stands or moves—a universal embryo. Even hidden within stones, Agni resides, self-sustaining among people, like the immortal. As guardian of riches by night, Agni is worthy of worship and brings benefit through hymns. Knowing these truths, Agni protects the vast earth, understanding the births of gods and mortals. He increases through many nights, ever-changing in form, guiding the chariot of the steadfast with truth. Established as priest, Agni sits in the light, accomplishing all true deeds. Among cows and forests, praise is offered to him; all bring tribute to the shining one. Everywhere, men honor Agni as sons honor their father, bringing offerings with understanding. Steadfast and ungreedy, Agni stands as a hero, formidable in battle like a fierce warrior. The eager sisters, like cows at dawn, approach the shining Agni, their constant lord, giving birth to him in secret. Even the steadfast ones, like fathers with hymns, the Angiras broke open the rock with their song, making a path to vast heaven. The dawns recognized the sign of the day. Upholding truth, they enrich Agni’s insight; the ancient ones, generous, desire him. The waters, tireless, flow forth, fostering the birth of the gods with their efforts. When Mātariśvan, the carrier, churned them, the white, noble Agni was born in every house. Then, like a mighty king, he joined his kin, and the Bhṛgus took up the messenger’s task. For the great Father, they made the sap flow to the sky; swift-footed and wise, Pṛśanya sent forth the shining light, and the god placed brilliance in his own daughter. Agni shines in every house, accepting homage whether from worshippers or not. He increases the strength of those who, with double shelter, bring the chariot of wealth he guides. All clans seek Agni, as seven mighty rivers flow to the ocean; their vigor unfaltering among kin, Agni finds wisdom among the gods. When Agni desired the lord of men, he brought forth pure seed, sprinkled in the lap of heaven, generating a faultless, youthful, self-born host. Swift as the mind, Agni travels alone on many paths, master of wealth; the kings Mitra and Varuṇa, with beautiful hands, protect the beloved immortal among the cows. Agni, do not let the friendships of our fathers be lost; do not overlook us, knowing one. Old age does not diminish the form of the sky—protect us from that ancient curse. The wise one’s eternal works are laid out, holding many noble treasures; Agni became the lord of riches, creating all immortal things together. The immortal, unaging ones, seeking, could not find the calf who circles us; weary, searching the paths, they stood at Agni’s highest step, bearing insight. When three autumns passed, the pure ones, worshipping Agni with ghee, sought him, taking on worthy names and quickening their noble forms. The vast-knowing Rudriyas have taken up the sacrifice, spreading it to heaven and earth; the mortal, wise through effort, has found Agni standing at the highest step.