Agni, radiant and revered, is called forth to the sacred offering. He is invited with praise to take his seat upon the sacred grass, to serve as the Hotar—the priest who conducts the sacrifice. Among all sacrifices, Agni stands as the Hotar, established not only among the gods but also cherished by humankind. As the messenger who knows all, Agni is chosen for this rite, for his wisdom and insight are renowned. By his power, he shatters obstacles and bestows wealth upon those who invoke him, shining brightly when kindled and earnestly invited. He is praised as the dearest of guests, beloved as a friend, worthy of being honored like a splendid chariot upon the altar. With heartfelt devotion, Agni is beseeched to protect his devotees from every form of hostility and from the hatred of mortals, using his great powers. Words of praise are offered to him, with the hope that, just as Soma juice nourishes, these praises may strengthen him. Minds and voices reach out to Agni, yearning for his presence from the highest realms. Agni’s origins are wondrous—Atharvan churned him out from the lotus, from the head of all who offer sacrifices. He is asked to bring the wealth of Vivasvat, for he is the god visible to all. Homage is paid to Agni for his strength, and the peoples praise him, seeking his merciless destruction of the unfriendly. As the immortal messenger, carrier of offerings, and the most worthy recipient of sacrifice, Agni is exalted with song. The wives, too, direct their songs to him, having prepared their oblations and taken their places in the domain of Vayu. Day by day, at dawn and dusk, the faithful come to Agni with thoughts of homage. Agni is urged to awaken and take note of each worshipper, for the praise of the worshipful Rudra is to be revealed. For the lovely sacrifice that protects the cows, Agni is called forth with the Maruts. Like a swift horse, he is honored with reverence, as the sovereign of sacrifices. Pure and sinless as the descendants of Aurva and Bhrigu, dwelling in the ocean, Agni is invoked. When a mortal kindles Agni with pure intent, his thoughts join with understanding, and the fire is kindled with the rays of the sun. From the ancient seed, the light of day is beheld, shining far above in the sky. To Agni, the increaser of sacrifices and the most bountiful, the devotees approach, recognizing him as the descendant of strength. With his sharp flame, Agni restrains those who transgress, and is asked to grant wealth to his worshippers. He is implored to be gracious and to lead the great assembly of the god-seeking people to the seat of offering. Agni is entreated to protect from harm, to repel all injury, and to burn it away with his fiercest, unfailing flames. He is asked to yoke his swift and noble horses, those who easily carry the offering. The shining lord of the people, Agni, is invoked for strength and heroic sons when he is kindled. Agni is the crown and summit of heaven, the lord of earth, and the stirrer of the seeds of the waters. The new song of the devotees is offered to him, that he may declare it among the gods as their ally in the hymn. Born by the word of the herdsman, Agni is invited to listen to this invocation. Wise and lord of riches, Agni moves around the offerings, bestowing treasures upon the worshipper. His rays carry him, Jātavedas, upward for all to see, shining like the sun. The sage Agni, true in law, is praised at the sacrifice, for he is the god who drives away evil. The goddesses are invoked to bring happiness and joy, that the streams of grace may flow for the devotees. There is a wonder at whom Agni surrounds, whose thoughts he quickens, and by whose songs he is pleased. With sacrifice after sacrifice, and song after song for skill, the immortal Jātavedas is ever praised, dear as Mitra. Agni is asked to guard his devotees with one, two, three, and fourfold protection, as the lord of strength and the treasure. He is called to shine forth with great and brilliant flames, with pure radiance, kindled by Bharadvāja, the youngest and most splendid purifier, to blaze brightly. In Agni, the noble ones find favor—those generous lords who bring gifts and grant wide pasture to cattle. As the singer, lord of men, fierce god who wards off harm, and unsleeping guardian of the house, Agni is the great protector, dwelling in the sky and the home. Finally, Agni the immortal is invoked to bring the worshipper the splendid wealth of Vivasvat’s dawns. As the knower of all births, he is asked to awaken the gods for his devotees, ensuring their offerings are received and their prayers fulfilled.