He who shines resplendent among the gods, their radiant priest, the one who was born before all the gods—homage is offered to that luminous Brahman. In the beginning, the gods generated this radiance of Brahman and declared, “Whoever truly knows Brahman in this way, the gods themselves come under his sway.” Sri and Lakshmi are his consorts; day and night stand at his sides. The stars form his very body, and the Ashvins are his mouth. From him, nourishment flows; from him, mastery over all worlds is bestowed. He is fire, he is the sun, he is the wind, he is the moon. He is the shining one, he is Brahman, he is the waters, he is Prajapati. From the Purusha were born all moments of time, flashes of lightning; yet no one can grasp him above, across, or in the midst of creation. He has no equal nor likeness; his very name is great glory. He is known as Hiraṇyagarbha, and his command is “Do not harm me.” From him, nothing is born, for he is the origin of all. This god moves in all directions, was born before all, and dwells even within the womb. He is born, he will be born; he stands facing all, with faces turned everywhere. Nothing was born before him; he became all the worlds. Prajapati, striving with his offspring, is associated with the three lights and the sixteen. It is by him that the mighty heaven and steadfast earth are supported, by him the sky is upheld, by him the vault of space is established. He who moves as the sovereign in the atmosphere—he to whom the shining dust belongs—to which god shall we offer our oblation? Heaven and earth, the two that cry aloud, are upheld by his support; they beheld him with trembling minds, where the sun rises and shines forth. The waters are vast, and he is the very essence of the waters. The seer, with inner vision, beholds that which is hidden in the cave, where all things are united in a single nest. Within him, all moves together and apart; he is woven and interwoven throughout all beings. Let the wise Gandharva, knower of the immortal, reveal that abode concealed deep within the cave. Three steps of his are set in that hidden place; whoever knows them becomes the ancestor of his own father. He is our kinsman, the creator and arranger, who knows all abodes and all worlds. It is to his third abode that the gods, seeking immortality, ascended. Having encompassed all beings, all worlds, all directions, he approached the primal birth of truth; by his own self, he entered into his own self. He embraced heaven and earth, all worlds, all directions, and the sky; he examined the stretched thread of truth, saw it, became it, and was it. To the wondrous, beloved lord of the seat, dear to Indra and desired by all, I seek union with wisdom. Svāhā. That wisdom which the hosts of gods and ancestors revere—by that wisdom, O Agni, make me wise today. Svāhā. May Varuṇa grant me wisdom, may Agni and Prajāpati grant wisdom; may Indra and Vāyu grant wisdom, may Dhātṛ grant me wisdom. Svāhā. May both Brāhma and Kṣatra attain prosperity for me; may the gods bestow the highest prosperity upon me. To her, to you, svāhā. This one, ageless, tamed, and guided, shines forth with flames that are Agnis—pure, white-tipped, roaring, consuming wood like the winds, like Somas. The tawny ones, banners of smoke, driven by the wind, strive upward to the sky; the Agnis move apart, each on their own path. O Mitra and Varuṇa, offer for us; offer to the gods, to the great truth. O Agni, offer to your own house. Yoke, O Agni, the gods’ summoned horses, as charioteers do; let the ancient Hotṛ take his seat. Two of diverse forms move toward the light; each brings forth a calf. The tawny one is in one, self-sustaining; the bright, radiant one is seen in the other. Here, Agni was first established by the creators, the Hotṛ most fit for sacrifice, worthy at the rituals. The Bhrigus and Apnavānas revealed him in the forests—wondrous, shining, in every clan. Three hundred and three thousand and thirty-nine gods served Agni; they anointed him with ghee, spread the sacred grass, and installed him as the Hotṛ. On the summit of heaven and at the foundation of earth, the gods generated Agni, the universal fire, born of truth—the sage, the sovereign, the guest of the people, whom they brought near as the vessel. Agni, destroyer of obstacles, bestower of wealth through insight, shines brightly when kindled and offered pure oblations. With all the gods, O Agni, drink the Soma-honey together with Indra and Vayu, by the powers of Mitra. When, for strength, the lord of men is summoned and the pure seed is poured out, heaven is attentive. Agni brings forth a flawless, youthful host, self-born, and causes it to flourish. Agni, lead the host to great prosperity; may your highest glories be ours. Establish harmonious kinship, make our discipline firm, and stand against our enemies with might. For you, most delightful one, we have chosen with hymns of praise; be attentive to us, O Agni. Like Indra, you are filled with strength; the best of men honor you with gifts, as they do the gods and Vayu. In you, O Agni, who are well-invoked, may our noble ones be dear—those generous leaders of men who grant wide pastures to cattle. Hear, you who are famed for listening, O Agni, with the gods who bear fire, with your companions. Let Mitra and Aryaman, who come at dawn, be seated on the sacred grass at the sacrifice. Aditi is the most worthy among all who are to be worshipped; among all humans, Agni is the guest. May Jātavedas, the knower of all births, who protects the gods, be gracious to us. Under the protection of the great, blazing Agni, may we be blameless before Mitra and Varuṇa for our well-being; may we be foremost in the favor of Savitar. Today, we choose the protection of the gods. Even the swelling waters, like cows, do not violate the cosmic order, O Indra, nor do the singers; come to us as Vayu comes to his followers, for you, by your thoughts, distribute the prizes. The cows, bringing abundance to the sacrifice, have come near; both their ears are golden. When today, at the rising of the sun, Mitra and Aryaman awaken, Savitar and Bhaga bestow prosperity. At the pressing, pour forth wealth, the radiance of heaven and earth; let Rasā support the mighty bull. That ancient one—this is Vena.