Indra, the mighty god, radiates his power in all directions. His presence stretches from the east, from the strength of the great ones, from the passage of days, from the vast midspace, and even from the depths of the ocean. The spreading wind, the farthest boundaries of the heavens, the flowing rivers, and the wide lands—all are illuminated by Indra’s brilliance. Like the bright herald of dawn, Indra’s weapon shines forth with dazzling light. This weapon, ever victorious, is urged onward to strike down treacherous foes, as one would split a stone with a mighty blow, hurling his blazing missile from the sky. The order of the cosmos follows Indra’s strength: the months proceed one after another, the plants and even the mountains follow in their turn. Earth and sky, the two vast worlds, attend upon him, while the waters themselves support the newborn one. Devotees yearn for the day when Indra’s power will bring down the destroyer of evil. They long for the time when, like scattered cattle in a pasture, the enemies who pretend to be friends will lie defeated upon the earth. Those who gather against the devotees, those who are hostile and unfaithful, are prayed to be utterly overcome by Indra. May these who dwell in darkness and blindness be surrounded by those who possess true light. For Indra, the offerings of the people and the hymns of sages bring delight. With eager hearts, they call out to him, inviting him to come near, passing over all others who sing his praise. May the devotees, favored by Indra, know the new blessings that come from his goodwill. In singing his praise, may they receive the wealth of his help, and may all friends come to know Indra now. Thus, Indra is called upon as the most generous hero in the contest for strength and reward. Fierce and attentive in battle, may he hear the prayers, strike down the foes, and grant victory and abundance. Beyond these earthly glories, the vision turns to the Cosmic Person, the Purusha, who has a thousand heads, a thousand eyes, a thousand feet. He encompasses the earth on every side and extends beyond it by ten fingers’ breadth. This entire universe—what has been and what will be—is indeed that Person. He is the lord of immortality, ever growing, sustained by food. Yet, even this greatness is only a part of the Person. All beings are but one quarter of him; the other three quarters, immortal and transcendent, dwell in the heavens. Three quarters of the Person rose upward, while one quarter appeared again in this world, spreading in all directions, into all that eats and all that does not eat. From him was born Virāj, and from Virāj, the Person himself. When he was born, he spread out beyond the earth, reaching both behind and before. In the beginning, the gods performed a great sacrifice, offering the Person himself. Spring became the clarified butter, summer the fuel, and autumn the oblation. They anointed this primordial sacrifice upon the sacred grass, and with it, the gods, the Sādhyas, and the ancient sages performed the rites. From this sacrifice, wholly offered, the clarified butter mixed with curds was gathered, and from it, all creatures of the air, the forests, and the villages were created. From this same sacrifice, the Rig and Sāma hymns were born, as were the sacred meters and the Yajus. Horses sprang forth, as did all animals with two sets of teeth; cows, goats, and sheep—all were produced from this cosmic offering. When the Person was divided, the gods arranged him into many parts. His mouth became the Brahmin, his arms the Kshatriya, his thighs the Vaishya, and from his feet arose the Shudra. The moon was born from his mind, the sun from his eye; Indra and Agni came from his mouth, and Vayu from his breath. From his navel came the midspace, from his head the sky, from his feet the earth, and from his ears the directions. Thus were the worlds fashioned. Seven enclosing logs and three times seven kindling sticks were arranged when the gods, performing the sacrifice, bound the Purusha as the sacrificial beast. With sacrifice, the gods performed sacrifice—these were the first sacred rites. By these, they reached the heights of heaven, where the ancient Sadhyas and gods dwell. Turning to Agni, the fire god, he is kindled by those who are awake, ever inspiring the household, though he grows old in the home. Agni, the universal priest, all-pervading and radiant, is a good friend to all. Agni, adorned with visible splendor, is a guest in every house, abiding in every forest like a skilled craftsman. He does not disregard anyone, dwelling among all peoples and tribes. Wise and skillful, Agni knows all things. He alone is the lord of riches, making heaven and earth flourish. Those who know Agni’s origin, the seat of the rite, sit in the place of offering, rich with ghee. The shining ones come to him like the dawns, pure as the rays of the sun. Agni’s splendors are like showers of rain, his bright flames like the signs of dawn. When he is sent forth, he reaches the plants and the woods, gathering food into his mouth. The plants bore the embryo of the rite, and the waters generated Agni as their son. Trees and plants, pregnant and bearing, always bring him forth everywhere. Driven by the wind and impelled by the will, Agni moves among the three foods, ever alert. Charioteers strive for him as for a prize, and his ageless flames burn separately. Agni, the maker of wisdom, adorns the assembly as priest and inspires thought. He alone is chosen for greatness with offerings. He is chosen as priest by the wise in their assemblies; when worshippers place their offerings, the Manu-born, on sacred grass, devoted to the gods, Agni is honored. Agni’s priesthood, his role as assistant, his office at the rite—he is the inviter, the fire-kindler, the supervisor, the master of the sacrifice, the Brahman, and the householder in every home. Whoever offers to Agni, the immortal, with fuel or offering, finds in him a priest and a messenger who speaks on behalf of the worshipper. For Agni, all thoughts, words, hymns, and praises come together, seeking wealth from the all-knowing one, who increases even the grown and delights in their devotion. This ancient and excellent praise, ever new, is spoken for Agni, the bountiful one. May he hear, and may he dwell ever within the heart, like a devoted wife adorned in her husband’s house. In Agni are placed the offerings of horses, bulls, oxen, cows, and sheep. For this wise one who delights in Soma, a lovely thought is generated with the heart. Agni, the offering is for you; may the clarified butter serve as a ladle, and the Soma as a vessel. Grant us wealth full of strength, abundant in heroes, renowned, and glorious. To you, Agni, lord of the sacrifice, charioteer, chief of the people, Hotar, radiant guest blazing among dry woods, mighty sign of the worshipper who stretches the sky, our prayers are offered.