In ancient times, when sacred fires blazed upon the earth, the wise invoked protection against the demons who, cloaked in many disguises and moving by their own mysterious power, brought forth obstacles and stole away what was dear. These disruptive forces were beseeched to be driven far away from this world of Agni, the divine fire. As the rites continued, the ancestors were called to rejoice according to their allotted shares. They were invited to partake and become invigorated, each ancestor finding delight and strength in the offerings made to them. With deep reverence, homage was paid to the ancestors for all the blessings they bestowed: for sap and dryness, for life and for the sacred offerings, for fierceness and for wrath. The ancestors were addressed again and again, asked to grant food from their houses, to bestow all that was needed—food, clothing, and fulfillment of desires. The ancestors were entreated to receive the embryo, the boy adorned with a lotus garland, just as a man here on earth would welcome a child. Strength, immortality, clarified butter, milk, sweet drinks, and flowing libations were offered, all meant to satisfy the ancestors and fill them with delight. The worshippers then turned to Agni, kindling the sacred fire and awakening the divine guest with offerings of ghee. The oblations were placed before Agni, the knower of all births, with the strongest and purest ghee poured into the well-kindled flame. With kindling sticks and ghee, Agni was honored, his radiance celebrated, and his presence made to grow, for he is the youngest and most brilliant. The ghee-bearing, oblation-rich offerings were brought to Agni, with prayers that he accept the kindling sticks and be pleased. The sacred syllables—Bhūr, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ—were uttered, invoking the vastness of the sky and the breadth of the earth, upon which Agni, the consumer of offerings and the sustainer of food, was established for the sake of nourishment. A speckled cow was seen stepping forth, approaching her mother and father, seeking them out. Within the shining realms, the great bull moved; from his breath arose the winds, and he proclaimed the sky. Speech itself shone forth in thirty abodes, offered daily to the flaming one, Agni, in the company of the bright ones. Light and brilliance were celebrated: "Agni is light, light is Agni, svāhā. The sun is light, light is the sun, svāhā. Agni is brilliance, light is brilliance, svāhā. The sun is brilliance, light is brilliance, svāhā. Light is the sun, the sun is light, svāhā." Thus, the unity of fire, sun, and radiance was affirmed. With the god Savitar, and the night and dawn endowed with Indra's strength, Agni and the sun were invoked to come and accept the offerings, with the sacred utterance svāhā. As the sacrifice commenced, the worshippers spoke mantras to Agni, hoping he would listen and be favorable. Agni was praised as the crown of heaven, the summit, and the lord of earth, the one who quickens the seeds of the waters. Indra and Agni, both bestowers of food and wealth, were invoked together, their gifts sought for strength and prosperity. A seat was prepared for the seasonal one, Agni, from which he was born and shone forth. Knowing this, Agni was invited to ascend and increase the wealth of his devotees. First among the givers, the Hotṛ, most worthy of sacrifice, was placed in the rites, as once the Bhrigus, sons of Apnavāna, revealed Agni among the forests—wondrous and manifold, present in every clan. Following the ancient radiance, the cows were seen to have milked forth the bright one, the sage of a thousand songs, yielding the sacred milk. Agni was invoked as the protector of the body, the giver of life and brilliance, and the one who could fill any lack in the worshipper's being. With a hundred kindlings, Agni was enflamed, and prayers were made for vigor, strength, and victory. Agni, undeceived and undeceivable, was asked to subdue all foes, and to bestow splendid wealth so that devotees might safely cross to the further shore. Agni was wished to be united with the sun's brilliance, the praise of seers, and all that is dear—radiance, life, offspring, abundance, and nourishment—so that the worshipper too might be joined with these blessings. Prayers for abundance, greatness, vigor, wealth, and nourishment were offered, each quality invoked with the hope that Agni would consume and bestow the same. The fire was invited to rejoice in the rich womb of the cattle-pen, in this world, in this dwelling, and to remain, never departing. Agni, united, of all forms, was called to enter into strength and lordship over cattle, and homage was brought day by day, at evening and morning, with mindful devotion. Agni was hailed as the king of sacrifices, the guardian of truth, the shining one who grows in his own house. Like a father to his son, Agni was asked to be easy of approach, a companion for well-being. As the nearest and the protector, Agni was invoked for auspiciousness and shelter, and his generosity was celebrated, with prayers for radiant wealth. Approaching the most radiant one, the worshippers sought favor for themselves and their friends, asking Agni to be aware of them, to hear their call, and to protect them from all harm and misfortune. The goddesses Idā and Aditi were also invited, along with all desired blessings, so that fulfillment might accompany the worshippers. The Lord of Prayer was implored to make the Soma resound, and the inspired one, descendant of Ushij, was called to be accompanied by the vessels. The swift one, who is wealthy, removes disease, bestows riches, and increases prosperity, was asked to grant his favor. Protection was sought against curses, anger, and hostility from mortals, with a plea to the Lord of Prayer for safety. Great protection was invoked from the three radiant strengths: Mitra, Aryaman, and the invincible Varuna. Among these divine powers, neither at home, nor on the paths, nor in the enclosures, could any hostile, evil-speaking foe prevail. For these are the sons of Aditi, who constantly bestow light upon living mortals. Indra was praised for his inexhaustible strength and constant presence for the worshipper, and his generous gift was ever sought from the gods. Finally, the worshippers contemplated the excellent radiance of Savitar, the god, and prayed that he might inspire their thoughts and guide them ever onward on the path of light.