Agni, the lord of strength and wisdom, envelops the sacrificial offerings, bestowing treasures upon those who worship him. Around Agni, the city is established—populated by the wise and mighty—day after day, its form unwavering, its protector slaying all who threaten its peace. Agni’s origins are diverse and wondrous: he comes from the heavens and is the swiftest among all; he arises from the waters, from the stones, from the woods, and from the plants. Among humankind, he is born pure, acclaimed as the lord of men. By the divine impulse of Savitar, the arms of the Ashvins, and the hands of Pushan, Agni is dug from the seat of earth, rich in offerings and belonging to the Angirases. Radiant and beautiful-faced, shining with unceasing light, Agni is brought forth—auspicious for the people, harmless and gentle—from the earth’s seat. He is the back of the waters, the womb of Agni, swelling around the ocean. Growing vast, he emerges in the lotus, measured by the expanse of heaven, spreading wide. Agni is both shelter and armor—unbroken and abundant—his radiance reaching far and wide, gathering his goods as the bearer of offerings. In dwellings united, those who know the light and are harmonious in strength and self, bear Agni within, ever radiant. Agni, rich in offerings, is the bearer of all; Atharvan first churned him out from the lotus—the summit of all that moves. The seer Dadhyanc, son of Atharvan, kindled him: Agni, the slayer of Vritra and destroyer of fortresses. The bull Pathya also kindled Agni, who slays foes and wins wealth in every battle. Agni, the Hotar, sits in his own place, wise and steadfast. He seats the sacrifice in the womb of good deeds and worships the gods with offerings, granting great vigor to the worshipper. The Hotar, knowing, sits in the seat of the Hotar, shining fiercely, skilled, with an unbroken vow and firm resolve—Vasiṣṭha, bearer of a thousand, with a pure tongue—Agni. Together, Agni blazes forth, beloved of the gods. His reddish smoke rises, praised and beautiful. He sends forth the divine waters—sweet and free from disease—for the offspring; from their seat, well-fruited plants rise up. The wind, Mātariśvan, places for Agni a heart upright and pure, as he moves among the gods as the breath of life; offerings are made to him. Born well, together with light, Agni attains shelter and protection. The shining one wraps himself in the garment of all forms. He rises up, flawless in sacrifice, with divine thought, shining forth with great radiance for vision, coming with auspicious praises. He stands upright for help, as Savitṛ does—upright giver of strength, invoked with anointments and offerings. Agni is born as the embryo of earth and heaven, lovely and carried in the plants. The brilliant child moves around the seasons, crying out from his mothers, echoing among the cows. He is firm, swift, broad, and well-seated, bearing the sacrificial offerings. He is auspicious to offspring and humankind, descendant of Angiras; may neither heaven nor earth, nor his flames, nor the midspace, nor the trees be harmed. The roaring, neighing steed comes forth, the braying ass, carrying Agni, bearer of offerings. He does not tread on the path of life, but carries the virile, powerful Agni—the embryo of waters, the oceanic one—for our enjoyment. Truth is proclaimed: Agni, the bearer of offerings, endowed with the spirit of Angiras, is carried. As Agni comes, the plants rejoice; calamities and evil are scattered, harmful thoughts driven away. The plants take hold of those with flowers and sweet fruits, recognizing Agni as their embryo, the priestly one, settling him in the ancient seat. Agni shines with broad radiance, driving away enemies, demons, and diseases. Under his guidance, the well-invoked Agni provides a great shelter. The waters bring delight and grant nourishment—for both great battle and vision. Their most auspicious essence is shared, like mothers nourishing their children. Thus, people come to the waters, invigorated by their dwelling, and the waters generate them as well. Mitra, joining earth and land with light, well-born and knower of births, is invoked for offspring and freedom from disease. The Rudras kindle the great light upon earth; their ever-pure radiance shines among the gods. Joined with the Vasus, Rudras, and the wise, the earth is made soft for work; Sinīvālī, with beautiful braids, good children, offspring, and milk, is given the great yoke by Aditi. Aditi prepares the fire-pit with strength and insight, bearing the fire as a mother bears her child. Agni is the head of the sacrifice. The Vasus make Agni firm with the Gāyatrī metre—he is steadfast and the earth. By his support, offspring, wealth, cattle, heroic strength, and kindred are granted. The Rudras make him firm with the Triṣṭubh metre—he is steadfast and the midspace. The Ādityas make him firm with the Jagatī metre—he is steadfast and the sky. All the gods, the universal Agnis, make him firm with the Anuṣṭubh metre—he is steadfast and the directions. By his support, all blessings are granted to the sacrificer. Agni is strong by the power of Aditi. Aditi seizes his opening, making the earth the fire-pit, a clay womb for Agni, offering it to the sons, saying, “Let it be cooked.” The Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, and all the gods purify Agni with their respective metres; Indra, Varuṇa, and Viṣṇu also purify him. Aditi, accompanied by all the goddesses, digs the fire-pit in the seat of earth. The wives of the gods place it there, the Dhīṣaṇās kindle it, the Varūtrīs and Graces cook it, and the Janayas with unbroken wings complete the cooking, all accompanied by the goddesses. Mitra’s favor, supporter of peoples, is the god’s strength, bringing glory and renown. Savitṛ lifts the fire-pit with good hands, beautiful fingers, strong arms and power, filling the quarters and directions on earth. The fire-pit rises up, becoming great and steadfast. It is placed around with Mitra’s favor, so that it may not break or be harmed. Thus, the sacred ritual is fulfilled, Agni is established, and blessings flow to all.