The radiant rays, like the sun itself, lift up Jātavedas—the ever-present fire god—so that all may behold his glory. At the heart of every sacrifice, the sage Agni is praised: steadfast in the law, he is the divine force who dispels evil from the gathering. The goddesses, invoked with longing, are asked to grant happiness and joy, letting the streams of their grace flow abundantly for those who seek them. A question arises in reverence: Whom do you, Agni, surround with your presence? Whose thoughts do you inspire, O lord of truth, and whose songs bring you delight? Through sacrifice after sacrifice, and song after song, the immortal Jātavedas is forever honored—cherished as a dear friend, much like Mitra. Agni, we call upon you to guard us: with one protection, then another, and yet another—threefold, and even fourfold—O lord of strength and treasure, shield us on all sides. Shine forth, Agni, with your great and brilliant flames, your pure radiance illuminating all. Kindled by Bharadvāja, you are the youngest and most splendid purifier; blaze brightly, O god. Within you, Agni, may noble and generous lords—those who bestow gifts and grant wide pastures—be ever cherished. As the unsleeping guardian of the home, fierce and protective, you dwell in the sky, warding off harm and ensuring the safety of the household. O immortal Agni, bring to the worshipper today the splendid wealth that comes with Vivasvat’s dawns. Knower of all births, awaken the gods for our sake. Inspire us with wondrous protection and gifts, O giver of treasures; as the charioteer of abundance, lead us to a secure refuge. Truly, Agni, you alone uphold the law and protect it as a wise sage. Inspired ones, igniting your flame, call upon you, the radiant creator. Grant us ever-increasing, praiseworthy wealth, O purifier, and bestow upon us abundant and much-desired prosperity—guided by good counsel and renowned for good deeds. To Agni, cheerful priest of the people and first to taste the honey of the sacrifice, let all our praises go—he who bestows all treasures. With reverence, we call upon Agni, son of strength, beloved and swift, unfailing, the proper priest of the sacrifice, the immortal messenger for all. Hidden in the woods, Agni waits until mortals gather to kindle him. Tireless, he carries the prepared offering upward, and then, among the gods, he reigns as king. Agni, the best knower of the path in whom sacred laws reside, is seen by those who seek him. Let not our words fail to reach this noble one who is born close to us. In every household, Agni is praised as the priest, alongside the stones and the sacred grass of the rite. With hymns, the Maruts, Brahmanaspati, and other gods are also invoked for their worthy help. We seek Agni’s aid with chants, for his sharp flame is renowned as a shield for guidance and for bestowing wealth. Hear us, Agni, along with your fire-kindling gods and companions. Let Mitra and Aryaman sit with you on the sacred grass at the morning rite. Agni, son of Divodāsa, like mighty Indra, has spread wide over the earth and stands firm in the shelter of the sky. Whether from here or from the shining expanse of heaven, by my body and word, O well-minded one, fulfill what is born of me. When you, Agni, move among the woods, born of your mothers, you always return—never failing, whether near or far. Manu established you, Agni, as a guiding light for all humanity; Kanva, born of truth, kindled your flame; and all peoples honor you, O strong one, whom the mighty worship. May the divine giver of wealth pour forth a full stream for you in both halves of the rite. Press the Soma, pour it out, and fill the vessel—for at the very beginning, the god is invoked for you. Let Bṛhaspati advance, let the gracious goddess approach, and let the gods lead our sacrifice to the heroic, noble one who bestows abundance. May Savitṛ, the god, stand upright for our aid; may the giver of strength rise high when we call upon him with guiding hands for gifts. Whoever seeks wealth and serves you, O generous Agni, attains a heroic son—a praiser of hymns, rich in a thousandfold abundance by his own power. With hymns and words, we choose you, Agni, the strong one among many peoples, the guest whom worshippers kindle. Agni is the lord of good fortune, master of prosperity, cattle, and victory over foes. You, Agni, are the house-lord, the priest at the sacrifice, the all-knowing carrier who fashions and brings the desired reward. As friends, we mortals have chosen you, O god—offspring of the waters, fortunate, wise, well-praised, and free from sin—for our help. Offer and purify with oblation; set the priest and house-lord in his place; in the seat of Iḍā, with reverence, worship the worthy receiver of offerings, honored in every dwelling. Bright is the youthful one’s breast, who, following his mothers, seeks support. When he was born, he did not delay but immediately desired to fulfill his great duty. This is your one form, Agni; that is your other. With a third light, enter and pervade all, becoming lovely in body and form, beloved of the gods in the highest birthplace. To Jātavedas, the worthy one, we offer this praise—like a chariot drawn by our thoughts. For our assembly, Agni, may your favor be auspicious, and may we never be separated from your friendship. The gods generated Agni, the universal one, as guest of the peoples, seer, sovereign, head of heaven, and support of earth—born from cosmic order, ever near to the vessel. From you, Agni, the waters flow forth, as from a mountain’s summit. Hymns declare that the gods generated you, and well-praised songs bring you strength, as victorious horses win the prize in battle. To you, Agni—king of sacrifice, Rudra, the true-offering priest of earth and heaven, the ancient one with golden form—let us make offerings, ready for help before the thunderer’s rash act. The king is kindled as a companion with reverence; his face, invoked with ghee, is praised with offerings. Agni, the mighty, shines foremost at the coming of dawn.