Joined in sacred harmony with the Vasus, the Rudras, and the wise, the priests called upon the earth to be made soft and gentle for their holy work. With reverent hands, they softened the soil, inviting the goddess Sinīvālī herself to bless and prepare it. Sinīvālī, adorned with beautiful braids and surrounded by good children, abundant offspring, and nourishing milk, was invoked. The priests prayed that Aditi, the universal mother, would place the great yoke of responsibility into their hands, empowering their sacred task. With strength and insight, Aditi herself was called upon to prepare the fire-pit, shaping it with her arms as a mother cradles her child in her lap. Just as she bears new life, so too would she bear the fire as an embryo within the earth, for she is the head of sacrifice. The Vasus were then beseeched to make the fire-pit firm with the Gāyatrī metre, addressing it as the steadfast descendant of Angiras—calling it the earth itself. By its support, they prayed for offspring, wealth, abundant cattle, heroic strength, and kin for the sacrificer. The Rudras, with the Triṣṭubh metre, were asked to make it firm as the midspace; the Ādityas, with the Jagatī metre, to make it firm as the sky; and all the gods, with the universal Agnis and the Anuṣṭubh metre, to make it firm as the directions. Each time, they prayed for the same blessings of prosperity and strength. The priests acknowledged the fire-pit’s strength, born of Aditi’s power, and prayed that Aditi herself would oversee its opening. The earth became the sacred womb, the clay vessel for Agni, which Aditi offered to her sons, declaring, “Let it be cooked.” The Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, and all the gods were again invoked to purify the fire-pit with their respective metres, along with Indra, Varuṇa, and Viṣṇu, so that all impurities would be cleansed. Aditi, accompanied by all the goddesses, was asked to dig the fire-pit in the earth’s seat, and the wives of the gods to place it there. The Dhīṣaṇās were called to kindle it, the Varūtrīs and the Graces to cook it, and the Janayas with unbroken wings to complete the sacred preparation—all accompanied by the goddesses. The priests then sought the favor of Mitra, supporter of peoples, praying that his strength would grant them glory and renown. They called on Savitṛ, the divine inspirer, to lift the fire-pit with his strong, beautiful hands, filling all directions with his power. They urged the fire-pit to rise up and become great, to remain unbroken and unharmed, surrounded by Mitra’s favor. The Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, and all the gods were again asked to sprinkle and sanctify it with their respective metres. With focused intention, mind, wisdom, thought, understanding, speech, and restraint, the priests set Agni, the sacred fire, in motion, offering to Prajāpati, Manu, and Agni Vaiśvānara, each act sealed with “svāhā.” They prayed that every mortal would seek friendship with the divine leader, striving for wealth and choosing glory for prosperity—again, “svāhā.” With affection, they addressed the earth as the strong mother, urging her not to break or be harmed, to be bold and heroic, assured that Agni would accomplish the task. The goddess Earth was invoked to be firm for the well-being of all, shaped by the power of the Asurī and her own nature. The priests prayed that their oblation would please the gods and that the earth would rise unharmed in the sacrifice. Clarified butter was poured as the ancient Hotṛ, the wondrous son of strength, the one worthy of choice, was honored. The priests called for her to be brought from the farthest regions, from distant places, wherever they were—so she would come to them. They invited Agni, the red horse, moist and beloved, to come from afar, to overcome all foes. Whatever woods were placed for Agni, they prayed all would become clarified butter for him, that he would accept it as the youngest of the gods. Even what the upajihvikā might eat or what the ant might creep over, all was offered as clarified butter to Agni, the youngest one. Day after day, Agni stood like a tireless horse, nourished and rejoicing in abundance. The priests prayed that they would not suffer harm from Agni’s neighbors. At the navel of the earth, as Agni was kindled for the increase of wealth, the priests called upon the mighty, joy-giving, worshipful Agni, the conqueror in battles. All armies, fearless bands, thieves, and robbers were offered into Agni’s mouth, that he might devour all filth and evil-doers with his jaws and teeth, consuming those easily consumed. Those who were filthy, thieves, and robbers in the forest, and evil-doers in the thickets, were placed between Agni’s jaws. Whoever was hostile, whoever hated or slandered, all were to be made into ashes by Agni’s power. The priests’ prayers, strength, and authority were sharpened, as was the power of the victorious one for whom they served as priests. With prayer, they lifted up their own, destroyed their foes, and led their people forward. They prayed to the Lord of food for vigorous, disease-free sustenance, for abundant strength for both bipeds and quadrupeds, and for the giver who would help them cross over difficulties. Then, Agni shone forth—golden, blazing over the wide earth, difficult to endure in his glory. With his radiant life, Agni the immortal was born with his powers when the seed-rich heaven gave him birth. Night and dawn, though different in form, were united in mind, nurturing the single child together. Heaven and earth shone with the golden Agni within, and the gods, givers of wealth, upheld him. The sage Agni took on all forms, bestowing prosperity on all creatures. Savitar, the worthy, revealed the highest, shining forth along the path of dawn. Agni was likened to the splendid eagle, Garutmat, with a threefold head, the Gāyatrī as his eye, the Bṛhadrathantara as his wings, praise as his soul, metres as his limbs, Yajus as his name, Sāman as his body, Vāmadeva as his tail, the platforms as his thighs, and the claws as his feet. As the splendid eagle, he was called to ascend to heaven, to fly to the sun. He was also the stride of Viṣṇu, slayer of rivals and foes, ascending with the Gāyatrī, Triṣṭubh, Jagatī, and Anuṣṭubh metres to stride forth upon the earth, in the atmosphere, in heaven, and in all directions, overcoming adversaries everywhere. When Agni roared, his thundering voice shook the earth, adorned the plants, and, blazing forth, he shone between heaven and earth with radiant light. The priests prayed for Agni’s return, asking him not to turn away but to bring life, splendor, offspring, wealth, intelligence, riches, and nourishment. They invoked Agni Angiras for abundance—hundreds and thousands uncovered and covered—restoring to them all that was lost. They called upon Agni to return again with nourishment, food, and life, and to protect them from harm. They prayed for his return with wealth, for him to swell with sustenance, embracing all from every side. Having brought Agni from within the earth, firm and unmoving, the priests wished that all people would desire him and that his kingdom would never fall away. Thus, with reverence and devotion, the sacred fire was established, blessed, and set forth, a source of strength, protection, and prosperity for all.