The sages gathered, their hearts full of yearning, and turned their thoughts to Agni, the divine fire, seeking to know what intent, what approach of mind, would be most pleasing to him. They wondered: what thought could bring the greatest blessing, and who, through sacrifice, could truly win Agni’s favor? With reverence, they asked by what intention they might serve him best. They invited Agni to come forth and take his seat as the Hotar, the priest who invokes the gods, wishing him to remain undisturbed and serene. They prayed that heaven and earth would protect Agni in all his endeavors, and that he would, in turn, offer their sacrifices to the gods for the well-being of all. The sages implored Agni to burn away all evil forces and to safeguard the sacrifices from any curse or harm. They asked him to bring the lord of Soma, drawn by his swift steeds, for they had prepared a generous welcome for that noble guest. With words rich in hope for progeny and with offerings in hand, they called Agni to sit among the gods. They recognized him as both Hotar and Potar, the officiating and purifying priest, ever attentive and the messenger who creates all wealth. They recalled how Agni, wise among the wise, had performed sacrifices for inspired men. Now, they called upon him again, the most truthful Hotar, to carry out the sacrifice with his delightful tongue. The sages wondered how best to serve Agni, to whom their radiant hymn was dedicated. They honored him as the immortal among mortals, the upholder of cosmic order, the most skilled Hotar who brings the gods to their offerings. They praised Agni, who, most gracious and true to order, presides as Hotar at the sacrifices. With reverence, they honored him, knowing that when Agni brings the gods to the mortal’s offering, he does so with understanding and devotion. For Agni is will and heroism itself, a benefactor and a friend, the charioteer of wonders. At every sacrifice, the clans who seek the gods call upon him first, recognizing his excellence. They prayed that Agni, the most heroic among men and the destroyer of foes, would come to their songs, bringing his help and insight. They wished that the generous and powerful givers, born of strength, would favor their hymn as well. Thus, the Gotamas, true to order and filled with inspiration, praised Agni, the knower of all births. Through their devotion, Agni increased their glory and strength, delighting in their prosperity. Once more, Gotama addressed his song to Agni, the knower of all births, seeking to praise his glories with wisdom. Desiring wealth, Gotama offered his hymn, longing for Agni’s strength and favor. They called upon Agni, bestower of strength and descendant of Angiras, with their hymns, ever seeking to praise his greatness. They sang to him, the slayer of Vritra and destroyer of the Dasyus, exalting his mighty deeds. Their words, filled with sweetness, were spoken for Agni, and with hymns they exalted him, Rahugana, the ancient seer. Agni appeared before them, golden-haired, moving swiftly through the expanse of the air like a serpent, shining brilliantly and knowing the dawns. The beautiful-winged ones approached him, and the dark bull bellowed at their arrival, just as clouds thunder with rain. When Agni, filled with immortal milk, led by the straightest paths of truth, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna, and Parijman purified the hidden coverings above. Agni, lord of strength, abounding in cattle and mighty power, was invoked to bestow great renown upon them. As the kindler and gatherer of wealth, Agni was praised with song, shining forth in abundance for his devotees. Through the nights, by his own nature, through the dwellings and the dawns, Agni was asked to burn away all demons with his sharp jaws. The singers prayed for Agni’s protection in all contests and assemblies, that he might bring them unconquerable wealth, victorious in battles and nourishing all. They offered purified words to Agni, the sharp-flamed one, asking him to accept their songs with favor. And they pleaded that any who sought to harm them would be kept far away, for Agni was their strength in victory. Agni, thousand-eyed and all-wise, drove away the demons, ever worthy of praise as the priest of the sacrifice. At this time, when Soma was pressed, the priest composed a hymn of increase. Indra, most mighty, wielding the thunderbolt, was praised for his power in slaying the serpent Vritra on earth and attaining the sovereignty of the sun. The exhilaration of Soma, brought by the eagle, gave Indra strength. With it, he struck down Vritra from the waters and claimed the sovereignty of the sun. The sages urged Indra to go forth boldly, for his thunderbolt never faltered. His manly power was his strength, and they called upon him to strike down Vritra, win the waters, and attain the sovereignty of the sun. Indra’s might was celebrated, for he struck down Vritra both on earth and in the sky, releasing the Maruts and letting the life-giving waters flow, thus attaining the sovereignty of the sun. With his thunderbolt, Indra struck the summit of Vritra, who resisted. Advancing, he slew his foe, urging the waters to shelter, and attained the sovereignty of the sun. Upon the summit, Indra struck with his hundred-edged thunderbolt, delighted by the Soma. He sought the path for his companions, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. Indra’s unsurpassed heroic power was for him alone, the crusher and wielder of the thunderbolt. By his cunning, he slew the cunning beast, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. His thunderbolts scattered the ships upon the waters, and his heroic power and strength were celebrated, all in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. Thousands and hundreds joined in praise, raising hymns for Indra, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. Indra’s overwhelming force struck down the might of Vritra; this was his great manliness—he slew Vritra and released the waters, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. Even the two great earths trembled in fear at Indra’s wrath when, accompanied by the Maruts, he slew Vritra with his strength, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. Yet Vritra did not greatly fear Indra by trembling or thunder, but against him the iron thunderbolt with a thousand spikes was aimed, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. When Indra struck Vritra and his weapon with the thunderbolt, desiring to slay the serpent, his might was held fast in the sky, singing in pursuit of the sun’s sovereignty. Thus, through praise and sacrifice, the sages honored Agni and Indra, invoking their power, wisdom, and blessings, seeking protection, prosperity, and the release of the life-giving waters beneath the sun’s radiant path.