In the sacred space of the sacrifice, the wise Hotar is invited to take his rightful seat. With reverence, he is asked to establish the ritual at the very heart of virtuous deeds, to offer worship to the gods with pure offerings, and to grant great strength to the devotee. The Hotar, fully aware and steadfast in his vows, sits in the seat of the Hotar, shining with fierce brilliance. He is skillful, unwavering, and pure-tongued—Agni himself, born of Vasiṣṭha, the bearer of countless gifts. The priests call upon Agni to sit among them, to blaze forth in his greatness, beloved of the gods. They ask him to send up his reddish smoke, rising beautifully and praised by all. The divine waters are summoned, sweet and free from disease, to flow for the sake of the offspring, and from their seat, the fruitful plants are invoked to rise and flourish. Mātariśvan, the wind, is entreated to bestow a pure and upright heart, for he moves among the gods as the very breath of life. An offering is made to him, honoring his divinity. Agni, born with the light, is wished a safe and sheltered existence, and is invited to wrap himself in the garment of all forms, shining radiantly. The call goes out to Agni, flawless in sacrifice, to rise up with divine thought, to shine forth with his great brilliance, and to come with auspicious praises. He is asked to stand upright for the devotees’ aid, just as the god Savitṛ does, giving strength and accepting the offerings and anointments. Agni is recognized as the embryo of earth and heaven, lovely and carried within the plants. He is the brilliant child who moves with the seasons, calling out from his mothers and echoing among the cows. The priests urge him to be firm and strong, swift as a vigorous steed, broad and well-seated, bearing the sacrificial offerings. They pray for Agni’s auspiciousness to bless the offspring and all of humankind, pleading that neither heaven nor earth, nor his flames, nor the midspace, nor the trees be harmed. The powerful, roaring, neighing steed and the braying ass—carriers of Agni, the virile and oceanic one—are called forth, with a wish that they not tread upon the path of life, but bring Agni for the joy of the people. Truth is invoked again and again. Agni, the bearer of offerings and endowed with the spirit of Angiras, is welcomed. The plants are asked to rejoice as this auspicious Agni comes to them, to scatter all calamities and evil, and to drive away harmful thoughts. The plants are called to take hold of those with flowers and sweet fruits, for this is their embryo—the priestly one—who should settle in the ancient seat. Shining with broad radiance, Agni is asked to drive away enemies, demons, and diseases, and to grant the worshippers a place of safety under his guidance. The waters, bringers of delight, are entreated to grant nourishment, to prepare the worshippers for great battles and for vision. Their most auspicious essence is wished to be shared among the devotees, like mothers who nourish their children. The people seek to come to the waters, to be invigorated by their dwelling, and to be generated anew. Mitra, the knower of births and the well-born, who joins earth and land with light, is joined for the sake of offspring and freedom from disease. The Rudras, too, are praised for kindling the great light, their pure radiance shining among the gods. The earth, joined with the Vasus, the Rudras, and the wise, is asked to be soft for work, made so by gentle hands and the blessings of Sinīvālī. Sinīvālī, with beautiful braids, good children, and nourishing milk, is invoked to have Aditi place the great yoke in her hands. Aditi herself is asked to prepare the fire-pit with strength and insight, to bear the fire as a mother bears her child in her lap, for Agni is the very head of the sacrifice. The Vasus are called to make the fire-pit firm with the Gāyatrī metre, for Agni is steadfast and the earth itself. By his support, the worshippers seek offspring, wealth, cattle, heroic strength, and kin. The Rudras, with the Triṣṭubh metre, make firm the midspace; the Ādityas, with the Jagatī metre, make firm the sky; and all the gods, the universal Agnis, with the Anuṣṭubh metre, make firm the directions—all for the same blessings. Aditi’s power makes the fire-pit strong, and she herself seizes its opening. The earth is fashioned as the clay womb for Agni, and Aditi offers it to her sons, instructing that it be cooked. The Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, and all the gods purify the fire-pit with their respective metres, with Indra, Varuṇa, and Viṣṇu also bestowing their purification. Aditi and all goddesses, along with the wives of the gods, the Dhīṣaṇās, the Varūtrīs, the Graces, and the Janayas with unbroken wings, are invoked to dig, place, kindle, and cook the fire-pit in the seat of the earth, always accompanied by all the goddesses. The favor of Mitra, supporter of peoples, is sought for strength and glory. Savitṛ is asked to lift the fire-pit with his good hands, beautiful fingers, and strong arms, so that the quarters and directions may be filled on earth. The fire-pit is called to rise up, to become great and steadfast, surrounded by Mitra’s favor, never to break or be harmed. The Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, and all the gods are asked to sprinkle the fire-pit with their respective metres. With intention, mind, wisdom, thought, understanding, speech, and restraint, Agni is set in motion, with offerings to Prajāpati, Manu, and Agni Vaiśvānara. All mortals are encouraged to seek the friendship of the divine leader, to strive for wealth, and to choose glory for prosperity. The strong mother, the earth, is urged not to break or be harmed, but to be bold and heroic, for Agni will accomplish all this. The goddess Earth is asked to be firm for the well-being of all, made strong by the power of the Asurī and her own nature. The oblation is offered for the pleasure of the gods, and the earth is asked to rise unharmed in the sacrifice. The clarified butter flows as an offering, and the ancient Hotṛ, the son of strength and the wondrous one, is honored. From the farthest regions and distant places, the goddess is called to come wherever the worshipper may be. The red horse, Agni, full of moisture and beloved, is summoned from afar to overcome all foes. Whatever woods are offered to Agni, let them become clarified butter for him, to be accepted. Even what the upajihvikā eats, or what the ant walks over, is offered as clarified butter to Agni, the youngest and most cherished guest—may he accept it all. Thus, with devotion and meticulous care, the sacred ritual unfolds, each element honored, each god invoked, and Agni—ever the heart of the sacrifice—seated and praised, bringing strength, blessings, and auspiciousness to all.