O Agni, radiant god, the priests call upon you from the heart of heaven and earth, seeking your blessings for well-being and the fullness of life, so that the sacrifice may flourish. They yearn to unite with your wondrous wisdom, to be made spacious by your abundant grace. Thoughts born for you, O Agni, are offered in praise, hoping for rewards of cattle and horses. When mortals partake in your gifts with reverent minds, you, noble-born, are pleased. To your devotees, Agni, you are as father, mother, brother, and steadfast friend. They worship your shining face, venerable and resplendent like the sun in the heavens. May their thoughts succeed, for you, O protector, guard the household eternally as the Hotṛ, true to the cosmic order, drawn by your red horses, bringing good fortune and bright days. You are the ancient friend, the officiant of the shining days, the spouse of the sacrifice. The priests, with their arms, have kindled you and seated you as Hotṛ among the clans. Offer the sacrifice yourself, O god among gods, in heaven; for what can the unwise do without your guidance? Sacrifice to the gods at the proper times, O well-born one, and offer yourself. Be our guardian, O Agni, making us ever youthful and granting long life. Bestow upon us your generosity in offerings, protect our bodies, and let us not fall into decline. With great brilliance, Agni surges forth, roaring between heaven and earth like a mighty bull. Even at the farthest reaches of the sky, he, the buffalo, grows strong in the lap of the waters. The embryo, the bull, rejoices, bearing his hump; the shining calf, full of strength, bellows. He causes the divine powers to rise and stands foremost in his own abodes. It was he who grasped the head of his parents—this mighty one, established in the sacrifice. The red mares, yoked to chariots, delight in his descent, in the womb of truth, in their own forms. O Vasus, you appeared first at dawn, becoming the light among the twins. For the sake of truth, you set seven steps, creating Mitra for yourself. You are the eye of existence, the guardian of truth; you are Varuṇa when you move for truth. Offspring of the waters, O Jātavedas, you are the messenger who delights in offerings. You lead the sacrifice and the realm, joining with auspicious helpers. In the sky, you have set your shining head, Agni, making your tongue the bearer of offerings. Trita, by his will, chose the middle space, seeking the shelter of his father and the distant one. In the lap of his parents, seeking alliance, the kinsman wields the ancestral weapons. Urged by Indra, the descendant of Āpti fought, striking down the three-headed, seven-rayed one, and releasing the cows of Tvaṣṭṛ. Indra, mighty in strength, overcame the one who thought himself supreme; the good lord struck him down. Even Tvaṣṭṛ, the all-shaped one, lost his cows, his three heads severed. Now, the waters are invoked, bringers of delight and nourishment, granting vision for great contests. Their most auspicious essence is shared like the love of mothers. People approach the waters, inspired by their dwelling, praying that the waters may generate them anew. May the divine waters, rich in blessings, flow for our drinking and well-being. Mistresses of treasures, sustainers of peoples, the waters are asked for their healing remedy. Within the waters, Soma speaks: all remedies dwell there, and Agni, the bestower of blessings, too. The waters are called upon to fill with healing, to protect the body, and to grant long life under the sun. They are asked to wash away all evil, wrongs, falsehoods, and curses. Entering the waters, one mingles with their essence, calling Agni, full of milk, to grant radiance and not withdraw it. Let there be friendship with a true companion, even across the vast sea. May the wise one establish the grandson of the father, shining, as a bridge upon the earth. Yet, true friendship is rare, especially when forms and natures differ; the sons of the great Asura, heroes and sustainers of the world, are renowned everywhere. Even the immortals praise this quality, even in a single mortal born on earth. Yet, let not your mind dwell upon us, nor desire to enter our bodies. Let us not repeat past errors, nor, O immortals, commit falsehood now. The Gandharva is in the waters, the maiden too; she is our navel, our highest kinship. In the womb, the creator made us a couple—Kardama, Tvaṣṭṛ, and manifold Savitṛ. None transgresses his ordinances; both earth and heaven know the vessel of his wisdom. Who knows the first day? Who has seen it? Who can declare it? The great ordinance of Mitra and Varuṇa is mysterious, not easily spoken of. Desire came to Yama’s sister, Yami, for Yama, to lie together in the same womb. Like a wife stretching to her husband, she would divide her body, like a wheel from its axle. But the gods’ spies are ever watchful, neither standing nor sitting, moving among men. Yama urges Yami to go with another who delights her, to separate as a wheel from its axle. May night and day bring favor; may the sun’s eye rise again and again. By day and earth, the twin siblings, Yami and Yama, must honor their kinship without transgression. The ages have passed where siblings acted thus; now, embrace the arm of a strong man, seek a husband as your heart desires. But Yami pleads: what if a brother is left alone, or a sister falls into misfortune? She would fulfill her desire, even if reproached. Yet Yama replies that such union is not right; it is called sin to approach a sister. Let delight be found with another, for your brother does not desire this. Alas, Yama, we do not know your mind or heart. Another, like a co-wife, has embraced you, as a vine embraces a tree. So, let another embrace you, O Yami, as a vine embraces a tree. Let your heart desire him, and his desire meet yours; make a good understanding with him. Thus, the bull has milked for the mighty one the heavenly streams by his power, the unassailable son of Aditi. Varuṇa, wise in all, perceives the truth; let the worshipper honor the proper seasons in reverence.