The story unfolds with vivid comparisons, drawing upon the swift nobility of horses, the generosity of eager charioteers, and the unceasing movement of waters descending in currents. These forces, of manifold forms, recall the Angirases chanting their hymns, their energy palpable and ever-changing. Like grinding stones, swift and strong, as mothers nurturing the rivers, and like rocks that conquer all, they advance with the playful vigor of well-nurtured children and the collective might of a great troop. As dawn’s lights adorn themselves for sacrifice, these swift ones trace their courses, rivers eager to flow with shining vision, measuring leagues like distant travelers. The gods are invoked to grant fortune and gifts, and the Maruts, praised for their enduring treasures, are called upon to increase prosperity in the friendship of song and praise. Amidst mortals and tribes, the greatness of the mighty one is seen—a being with diverse jaws, coming together in contest, biting, devouring, and holding much. His head remains hidden, moving in secret directions, his tongue consuming the woods. Offerings are brought to him with reverent feet and upraised hands, honoring him among the tribes. He seeks the hidden path of the mother, creeping along the plants like a child searching for food. Like a young one, he finds the cooked and shining sustenance, lying within the lap of his foe, desiring nourishment. The mystery of this being, this embryo that consumes his mothers upon birth, is declared to heaven and earth. Though mortal understanding falters, Agni alone is the wise, all-knowing knower. Those who offer food to him in thirst, who nourish him with clarified butter and ghee, are watched by Agni, whose thousand eyes look in every direction. Agni faces all ways, ever-present. The question arises: what offence has Agni committed among the gods? Whether playful or serious, the tawny one consumes the offering, bound by fetters, yet releasing them like a cow. He yokes his horses, eager for the forest, following straight paths bound with reins. Mitra, well-born, shines with riches, growing strong and advancing at the joints. Agni gives the team that brings strength and prizes; he bestows the hero famed for deeds. Moving between heaven and earth, Agni is well-ordered, the woman, the fruitful womb, the bountiful one. May the kindling of Agni’s body be auspicious, for Agni has entered the great heavens and earth. Alone, he stirs up battles and destroys many foes. Agni brings forth the old man with his ear, drives the chariot from the waters, protects Atri from inner heat, and sends forth Nṛmedha together with offspring. Agni gives splendid wealth, makes the seer who bestows thousands, stretches the oblation in heaven, and his abodes are widely distributed. With hymns, seers, men on journeys, and birds flying in mid-air all call upon Agni, who goes around thousands of cows. Human clans, those of Manu and Nahusha, are born for Agni, who follows the Gandharva path of immortality, his cow-pen set in ghee. For Agni, the Ribhus have fashioned hymns; to Agni, the great, songs of praise are offered. O youngest Agni, lead the singer forward and grant great wealth as you sacrifice. He who sacrifices sits as seer and priest over all worlds, our father, desiring wealth and blessing, entering both first and last. Questions arise: what was the foundation, the support, the word? From where did the All-Maker, all-seeing, stretch out the sky with his greatness, creating the earth? With eyes, faces, arms, and feet on all sides, he blows with both arms and wings—the one god creating heaven and earth. What was the forest, the tree from which heaven and earth were fashioned? Wise men seek to know, with their minds, that upon which all worlds rest. The All-Maker’s abodes—highest, lowest, and in the middle—are to be taught to companions at the offering, the self-sustaining one worshipping himself, growing in form. Growing with the offering, the All-Maker worships himself, both earth and heaven. Let others be confused, but may the generous and wise be ours. Today, the Lord of Speech, the All-Maker, swift in mind, is called upon for help in the contest. May he accept all offerings, blessing all deeds for aid. The wise one, father of vision, generates flowing butter with his mind, bowing down. When the two ends were made firm, heaven and earth expanded. The All-Maker, with his mind, leaves behind the lower, creates, arranges, and sees the highest. Their desires and offerings rejoice where the seven seers and the one above are spoken of. He who is our father, begetter, ordainer, knows all abodes and worlds, and alone names the gods. Toward that One, all worlds turn in inquiry. Ancient seers and singers of old offered wealth to him, as to a generous giver, establishing beings in the illuminated and unillumined expanse. He is beyond the sky, beyond earth, beyond what exists among gods and the mighty. What embryo did the waters first hold, where all gods beheld each other together? That embryo, held by the waters, where all gods assembled, is fixed in the navel of the unborn, in which all worlds are established. Yet, none know him who brought forth these things; something different has arisen. Covered by mist and confused speech, those unsatisfied with life wander, reciting hymns. Now, Wrath is invoked—whose weapon is the bolt and arrow, whose power and might surpass all humanity. With Wrath’s aid, strong and victorious, both foe and friend may be overcome. Wrath is Indra, Wrath is the god, the priest, Varuṇa, and the all-knowing fire. People worship Wrath; Wrath is asked to protect, united with fervor. Wrath is called forth, mightier than the mighty, with fervor as ally, to strike down enemies, slay foes, destroy obstacles and demons, and bring treasures. Unconquerable in strength, self-born, blazing, crusher of opposition, Wrath is the champion of all peoples—his might is sought in battle. Helpless and powerless, separated from fortune, the seeker implores Wrath, lacking resolve, to strengthen the body with power. Wrath, all-knowing champion, wielder of the bolt, is called to arise, be awake, and strike down enemies. Advance from the right, be an ally, destroy obstacles. The foremost portion of the sweet drink is offered to Wrath, to be shared in secret. With Wrath, mounting the chariot, rejoicing, emboldened, and accompanied by the Maruts, men armed with sharp arrows advance, blazing like fire. Thus, the story moves from the vivid forces of nature and divine beings, through the mysteries of creation and the wisdom of Agni, to the invocation of Wrath and the call to battle, all woven together in reverent praise and inquiry.