Agni, you are the revered lord of the household, the priest who presides over our sacrifices, the carrier of our offerings, all-knowing and wise, shaping and bestowing the rewards we seek. As friends, we mortals have chosen you, divine offspring of the waters, fortunate and pure, well-praised and free from sin, to be our helper and guide. With devotion, we offer and purify oblations, setting you, the house-lord and priest, in your rightful place. Seated in the sacred seat of Iḍā, we honor you, the worthy receiver of offerings, the one esteemed in every dwelling. Your radiant breast glows, youthful one, as you move in the wake of your mothers, seeking support. At your birth, you wasted no time but immediately longed to fulfill your great duty. You reveal many forms—this is one, that is another—and with a third light, you enter and pervade all things, becoming lovely in body and form, beloved of the gods in your highest abode. To you, Jātavedas, we offer our praise, our thoughts carrying our words as a chariot. For our assembly, Agni, may your favor bring us auspiciousness and may your friendship never be lost to us. The gods themselves generated you, Agni, the universal one, the honored guest among peoples, the seer and sovereign, the head of heaven and support of earth, born from cosmic order and ever near to the sacrificial vessel. From you, the waters spread forth, as they flow from a mountain’s summit. With hymns, the gods brought you into being, Agni; to you, our well-praised songs bring strength, just as victorious horses win the prize in battle. Make Agni, the king of the sacrifice, the ancient Rudra, the golden-formed priest of earth and heaven, ever ready to help, present before any rash act of the thunderer. The king is kindled—our companion—honored with reverence. Invoked with ghee, his face shines, praised by the offerings of men. Agni, the mighty one, shines foremost as dawn approaches. With his great banner unfurled, Agni advances, roaring between earth and sky, rising from the ends of heaven like a buffalo in the lap of the waters. Men, with shining rays, generate Agni, praised and radiant, dropped from the hand of the luminous one, the far-seeing house-lord, the one to be invoked. Awakened among people with kindling, Agni spreads the dawn as a cow gives her udder; like strong youths rising up, his rays stretch toward the sky. He, the mighty one, brings forth abundant light, leading the wise and the unwise alike, guiding the ancient city with order. With songs, people seek the inspired thought, the golden-bearded one, whose armor gleams with radiance. Your brightness, Agni, is one thing, your holiness another, for you possess two forms like day and night. All your powers are wondrous; may your favor, O bountiful Pūṣan, be with us now. Agni, ever-bringer of wealth, grant us the most enduring share of the cow for those who call upon you. May our sons and descendants be victorious, and may your goodwill be with us. The great priest is born, knowing the sky, seated among men, turning the waters. He holds the offerings, brings the gifts, protects the body, and leads to wealth. Let the king, the lord, the renowned one—man among peoples, the one to be honored—like mighty Indra, come forth. Let him, approached with praise, grant us his favor. Hidden in the forests, Jātavedas is kindled, like an embryo nourished by pregnant mothers; day by day, Agni is to be praised by the wakeful, by those offering oblations among men. From ancient times, Agni, you have destroyed the sorcerers; no demons have overcome you in battle. Burn up the malicious and devouring ones; let not your divine weapon miss its mark. Bring us the greatest strength, undiminished, Agni; lead us on the path to wealth and victory. If a hero is born, let him kindle Agni and offer the human oblation, partaking of divine protection. Your smoke, fierce one, rises to the sky; your bright flame spreads out like the sun in its splendor. You shine, purifier, with your radiance. You possess lordly fame, Agni; like Mitra, you are a master. You, wise one, grant glory to men and foster prosperity as nourishment. In the morning, let Agni, beloved by many, be praised as a guest, in whom all mortals place their offerings, the immortal one. Let what is most excellent be for Agni, praised with great devotion, radiant one; like a mighty cow, your riches and strength arise from you. From house to house, we praise you, beloved guest, Agni, O powerful one, with hymns of longing. To the great, shining Agni, the gods have given praise; like Mitra, for renown, mortals have set him at the forefront. We have come to Agni, slayer of Vṛtra, eldest and wise, famed for his gifts, kindled with a great face. Born by the supreme law, you have grown strong among the mighty; Agni is the father of Kaśyapa, faith the mother, Manu the sage. We invoke Soma, king, Varuṇa, Agni, Āditya, Viṣṇu, Sūrya, Brahmā, and Bṛhaspati. From here, they ascend, rising to the heights of heaven, advancing victorious, just as the Angirases once journeyed along the path of light. For wealth and greatness, Agni, we kindle you for giving, for you are truly to be praised, mighty one—heaven and earth serve as your priests. Whatever the wise one declared here as 'Brahman,' that indeed encircles all works of wisdom, as the rim forms the wheel. O Agni, with your force, hear us from every side; subdue the strength and cunning of the sorcerer and the demon. Here, Agni, worship the Vasus, the Rudras, and the Ādityas; offer to the righteous people, to humankind, those who are sprinkled with ghee. Now, devoted, I will speak—O Agni, who is your enemy? Like a dart, I come to the refuge of your greatness. Bring forth the ancient word to the priest, to Agni, the great one of the Bhṛgus, who bears the lights of wisdom, the wise one. O Agni, lord of strength, wealth, power, and vigor, grant us, O Jātavedas, great renown. Most fit for sacrifice, worship the gods for the worshipper; as the glad priest, you shine forth, dispelling all obstacles.