With reverence and devotion, the sages approach Agni, the increaser of sacrifices, the most generous, the descendant of strength. Agni’s sharp flame stands as a vigilant guardian, restraining all who transgress, and the seekers pray that he may grant them wealth. They implore Agni to be gracious, to lead their great assembly of god-seeking people to the sacred seat of offering. Agni is called upon to protect them from harm, to repel all injury, and with his fiercest and unfailing flames, to burn away every threat. The god is asked to yoke his swift and noble horses, those who easily carry the offerings to the gods. When Agni is kindled, the people invoke him, the lord of the people, shining brightly, for strength and heroic sons. Agni is the crown of heaven, the summit, the lord of earth; he stirs the seeds of the waters, sustaining all. The sages offer a new song, asking Agni to declare it among the gods as their ally in the hymn. Born by the word of the herdsman, Agni, radiant one, is called to listen to their invocation. Wise and lord of riches, Agni moves around the offerings, bestowing treasures upon the worshippers. His rays, like the sun, carry Jātavedas, the god, upward for all to see. The sage Agni, true in law, is praised at the sacrifice, the god who drives away evil. The devotees pray that the goddesses bring them happiness and grant them joy in drinking, letting streams of grace flow for them. They wonder whom Agni surrounds, whose thoughts he quickens, and whose songs please the lord of truth. With sacrifice after sacrifice and song after song, they praise the immortal Jātavedas, their dear friend, like Mitra. They beseech Agni to guard them with one protection, with a second, with three songs, and with four, asking the lord of strength and treasure to shield them. Agni is called to shine forth with great and brilliant flames, with pure radiance. Kindled by Bharadvāja, the youngest and most splendid purifier, Agni is asked to blaze brightly. In Agni, may the noble ones be dear—those generous lords who bring gifts to people and grant wide pastures to cattle. Agni, singer, lord of men, fierce god who wards off harm, is the unsleeping guardian of the house, great protector of the home, dwelling in the sky. Agni, immortal, is asked to bring to the worshipper today the splendid wealth of Vivasvat’s dawns. As the knower of all births, Agni is called to awaken the gods for the people. He inspires wondrous protection and wealth, gives gifts, and is the charioteer of treasure, leading the devotees to a secure refuge. Agni alone spreads out the law, is the protector and sage. The inspired ones, kindling him, call upon the radiant creator. The devotees ask Agni to grant ever-increasing, praiseworthy wealth, to purify and bestow abundant, much-desired prosperity, guided by good counsel and renowned for good deeds. He is the giver of all treasures, the cheerful priest of the people, the first to taste the honey, and to him their praises go. With reverence, they call upon Agni, the son of strength, beloved, most swift, unfailing, the proper priest of the sacrifice, the immortal messenger of all. Agni lies hidden in the woods, and mortals kindle him together. Tireless, he carries the prepared offering and then reigns as king among the gods. He is seen as the best knower of the path, in whom the sacred laws are established. The devotees pray their words reach the noble one who is born nearby. Agni is praised in song as the household priest, among the stones and the sacrificial grass at the rite. With hymns, they call the Maruts, Brahmanaspati, and the gods for worthy help. They seek Agni’s help with chants, praising the one with sharp flame for wealth, and as a shield for good guidance. Agni is called to listen, along with his fire-kindling gods and companions. Let Mitra and Aryaman sit with him on the sacred grass at the morning rite. Agni, son of Divodāsa, like Indra in might, has spread wide over mother earth and stands firm in the shelter of the sky. Whether from here or from the great shining expanse of heaven, the well-minded Agni is asked to fulfill what is born of the devotee’s body and word. When Agni moves among the woods, born of his mothers, he never fails to return, whether far or near. Manu established Agni as a light for everlasting humanity; Kanva, born of truth, kindled him, and all peoples honor him, whom the strong worship. May the divine giver of wealth pour forth a full stream in the first and second half; let the Soma be pressed out and poured up, for at the very beginning the god is invoked. Let Bṛhaspati advance, let the gracious goddess approach, let the gods lead the sacrifice to the heroic, noble one, the bestower of abundance. May the god Savitṛ stand upright for their aid; may the bestower of strength rise high when called with guiding hands for gifts. He who desires wealth and serves Agni, the giver, attains a heroic son, a praiser of hymns, rich in a thousand-fold abundance by his own power. With hymns and words, Agni is chosen, the strong one among many peoples, among the worshippers, whom others kindle as the guest. Agni is the lord of good fortune, the master of prosperity, the master of wealth with cattle, the master of victories over foes. Thus, the sages and seekers ever praise and invoke Agni, the immortal, radiant, and generous god, for protection, abundance, guidance, and the fulfillment of sacred rites.