Agni, radiant and auspicious, was called forth to shine with his gentle, nourishing flames, his great rays illuminating the world without harming the offspring or bodies of those who invoked him. As he roared, his thunder echoed through the sky, causing the earth itself to tremble. The plants adorned themselves in his honor, and newly born, Agni blazed forth, spreading his brilliance between heaven and earth. His fame, especially among the Bharatas, was celebrated—Agni’s glory resounded even when the sun withheld its light. For Pūru, Agni stood firm in battle, a divine guest whose presence brought auspiciousness to all. As the sacred ash was offered to the divine Waters, it was beseeched to become gentle and fragrant, bringing blessings to the clans, good wives, and carrying away sin as lovingly as a mother carries her son. Agni was recognized as dwelling among the waters and the plants, being born again from their wombs. He was the embryo of plants, trees, all beings, and the waters themselves. Entering his womb with ash, the waters, and the earth, Agni was joined once more with his mothers, sitting again in their embrace. Having returned to his seat within the waters and earth, he lay as in the lap of his mother, most auspicious within her. There was a prayer for Agni to return with nourishment, food, and life, to protect the people once again from harm. He was called to return with wealth, to thrive with sustenance, spreading his blessings everywhere. The youngest and most mighty Agni was invoked to hear the words of the worshippers, who honored his form, drank after him, and praised him. Agni was entreated to awaken, wise and generous lord of wealth, bestower of riches, to drive away hatreds, and homage was given to the all-creating one. The Ādityas, Rudras, and Vasus were called to kindle Agni anew, and the priests to bring riches through sacrifice, increasing his form with ghee, so that the sacrificer’s true desires might be fulfilled. Then, there was a call for those who were both ancient and new to depart, to scatter away, for Yama had given a resting place on earth, and the ancestors had made this world for him. Agni was acknowledged as consciousness and the sustainer of desire; the sustaining of desire was wished to be present in the worshipper for Agni. The ashes of Agni, his purīṣa, were invoked for refuge, especially for those laid upon the funeral pyre, well-arranged and placed above. This Agni was the one in whom Indra placed the pressed Soma, swelling in his belly. Agni, known as Jātavedas, was praised like a thousandfold prize, like a swift horse yoked to a chariot, by those who sought strength. His radiance was recognized in heaven, on earth, in plants, and in waters—by which he stretched out the wide midspace, Agni was celebrated as the shining ocean, the seer among men. Agni aspired to reach the flood of heaven, approaching the gods and mighty ones. The waters, both in the shining realms beyond the sun and below, attended him. The purīṣya fires, united with their attendants, were called to accept the sacrifice, free from falsehood and disease, and grant great blessings. Agni was beseeched to grant ever-desired, abundant, lasting wealth of cows to those who invoked him. There was a prayer for sons to be victorious, and for Agni’s favor to rest with the people. His sacrificial seat, from which he was born and shone forth, was recognized, and he was asked to ascend it and increase the wealth of his devotees. Agni, as Angiras, was established by divinity, and he was entreated to sit firm. Indra, Agni, and Bṛhaspati had established him in this womb, and he was called to fill the world, fill the opening, and sit firm. The Prishnis, skilled in milking, strained Soma for him—the drinker of sweet juice—in the three shining realms of heaven, the birthplaces of the gods. All hymns magnified Indra, whose expanse was like the ocean, the best charioteer, the true lord of prizes, and the master. There was a wish for two to be united in purpose and affection, shining and well-disposed, dwelling together to obtain nourishment and strength. Minds, vows, and thoughts were wished to be united, and Agni was called to be lord of the purīṣya fires, granting nourishment and strength to the sacrificer. Agni, as the purīṣya fire, full of prosperity, was invited to sit in his own seat, having made all directions auspicious. There was a prayer for unity of mind, consciousness, and purity, so that the sacrifice and its lord would not be harmed, and for Jātavedas to be auspicious. As a mother bears her son, so was the earth asked to bear Agni, the purīṣya fire, in her womb; and Prajāpati, the all-creator, along with all the gods and seasons, was called to release her. The goddess Nirṛti was invoked to seek out those who do not offer Soma or sacrifice, to go after thieves and robbers, and to seek another—not the worshippers. Homage was given to Nirṛti. Nirṛti, of sharp radiance, was honored, and the iron bond was cut apart. With Yama and the Yamas, in agreement, the departed was placed on the highest heaven. For those whom Nirṛti had bound, the offering was made for release, and the earth, called in delusion, was acknowledged as Nirṛti, known all around. The noose which Nirṛti had bound upon necks was unloosened and cast away from the midst of life, so that, newly born, one might go to their father. Homage was given to Bhuti, who accomplished this. Agni was described as the dwelling and meeting place of riches, beholding all forms with powers, like Savitar, true in law, while Indra did not stand in the battle of paths. The wise harnessed their ploughs, stretching out yokes separately, acting thoughtfully and with favor among the gods. The ploughs were joined, yokes stretched, furrows made, and in the prepared womb, the seed was sown. Creation was brought forth by voice, burdened, and the ripe ears were called to come nearer. Well-sharpened ploughs were wished to till the earth well, ploughmen to approach with their teams, and furrows—pleased with offerings—and sweet-fruited plants to grant abundance. Sita was anointed with ghee and honey, approved by all the gods and the Maruts, rich in nourishment and swelling with milk, and was called to increase with milk. The plough, adorned and well-guided, delighting in Soma, was invoked as the means by which one sows cows, sheep, fatness, and abundance, just as a chariot carries the traveler. Thus, the story flows from the invocation of Agni’s auspicious presence, through his cosmic role, his blessings, and his integration with earth, waters, and sacrifice, culminating in prayers for unity, release, abundance, and the fruitful labor of humankind.