In the beginning, the world was shaped by the power of sacred hymns. With nine hymns, the ancestors were brought forth, under the gentle guidance of Aditi, the universal mother. Eleven hymns gave rise to the seasons, each ruled by their own sovereign lords. When thirteen hymns were sung, the months took form, with the year presiding over them. Then, with fifteen hymns, sovereignty itself was established, and Indra became its mighty overlord. Seventeen hymns called forth the domestic animals, with Bṛhaspati as their guardian. Nineteen hymns shaped both Śūdra and Ārya, and day and night became their mistresses, weaving the cycles of time. Twenty-one hymns brought into being the one-hoofed animals, watched over by Varuṇa. With twenty-three hymns, the small creatures of the earth appeared, under the care of Pūṣan. Twenty-five hymns summoned the wild animals, with Vāyu as their lord. With twenty-seven hymns, heaven and earth were stretched wide; the Vasus, Rudras, and Ādityas followed in their ordered succession, each holding dominion in turn. With twenty-nine hymns, the trees sprang up, Soma presiding over their growth. Thirty-one hymns brought forth offspring, with barley and non-barley as their sustaining lords. Thirty-three hymns strengthened all living beings, with Prajāpati, the supreme creator, as their overlord. The world was filled, all gaps closed, and all things set firm by the will of Indra and Agni, with Bṛhaspati establishing everything in the womb of creation. The Prishni cows prepared Soma for the gods, and at the birth of the deities, the clans in the three radiant realms of heaven rejoiced. All voices magnified Indra, lord of the oceanic realm, the greatest charioteer, and the true bestower of rewards. Turning to Agni, the sacred fire, prayers were offered: “Agni, drive away those born as our adversaries; Jātavedas, cast out those yet to be born who might oppose us. Speak to us with kindness; let us dwell unharmed in your triple-protected shelter.” Again, the plea resounded: “With your force, O Agni, repel our rivals, both born and unborn. Speak with goodwill, and keep us safe from harm.” The hymns themselves held great power: the sixteenfold hymn brought vigor and wealth; the forty-fourfold hymn shone with brilliance and abundance. Even the excrement of Agni was sanctified, bearing a name in the waters, and all the gods were called to praise. The offering of ghee, resting upon the hymn, was invoked to grant offspring and prosperity. The meters—Eva, Variva, Śambhu, Paribhū, Āccha, Mana, Vyaca, Sindhu, Samudra, Sarira, Kakup, Trikakup, Kāvya, Aṅkupa, Akṣarapaṅkti, Padapaṅkti, Viṣṭārapaṅkti, and Kṣuro Bhrāja—each held their own sacred rhythm. More meters followed—Āccha, Praccha, Saṃyac, Viyac, Bṛhac, Rathantara, Nikāya, Vivadha, Gira, Bhraja, Saṃstup, Anuṣṭup, Eva, Variva, Vaya, Vayaskṛc, Viṣpardhā, Viśāla, Chadi, Dūrohaṇa, Tandra, and Aṅkāṅka—each a vessel for the cosmic order. With each aspect of creation, the power of the hymn was invoked: truth for truth, righteousness for righteousness, heaven for heaven, midspace for midspace, earth for earth, rain for rain, day for day, night for night, goods for goods, and the Adityas for the Adityas. Prosperity was called forth for prosperity, hearing for hearing, plants for plants, bodies for bodies, learning for learning, and brilliance for brilliance. As the ritual unfolded, the steps of the offering were established—first, following, and complete—each placed with intention, each step shining with brilliance. The triple was honored for its threefold nature, increase for increase, expansion for expansion, joining for joining, advancement for advancement, passage for passage, ascent for ascent, and going forth for going forth. Vigor was invoked for vigor, and the lord was called to empower all. The directions themselves were consecrated. The east was royal, with the Vasus as its deities and Agni as the leader. The triple praise was laid upon the earth, the clarified butter and hymn supporting all without disturbance, the Rathantara Sāman establishing order in the midspace, and the sages spreading the offering in heaven. The sacrificer was seated on the summit of heaven, in the celestial world. The south was Virāj, ruled by the Rudras and led by Indra. The fifteenfold praise rested on the earth, the Prauga hymn upheld all, Bṛhat Sāman established the midspace, and again, the sacrificer was honored in heaven. The west was Samrāj, governed by the Ādityas with Varuṇa as leader. The seventeenfold praise, the Marutvatī hymn, and Vairūpa Sāman maintained the cosmic order. The north was Svarāj, with the Maruts as its lords and Soma as the leader. The twenty-onefold praise, Niṣkevalya hymn, and Vairāja Sāman upheld the world. The great direction, Adhipatni, belonged to all the gods, with Bṛhaspati as leader. The thirty-threefold praise, the Vaiśvadeva Agnimāruta hymn, and the Śākvara and Raivata Sāman established harmony in the midspace and heaven. Each direction was guarded by its own host: In the east, Harikeśa, the sun’s ray, rode with his charioteer Rathagṛtsa and chief Rathaujā. The Apsarases Puñjikasthalā and Kratusthalā were present, as were Daṅkṣṇava animals, human weapons, and missiles of destruction. Salutations were offered, seeking protection and mercy, and adversaries were consigned into their jaws. In the south, Viśvakarman presided, with Rathasvana as charioteer and Rathecitra as chief. Menakā and Sahajanyā were the Apsarases, Yātudhāna the weapon, and Rakṣas the missiles. Again, prayers for protection and mercy were offered. The west was guarded by Viśvavyacās, with Rathaprota as charioteer and Asamaratha as chief. Pramlocantī and Anumlocantī were the Apsarases, tigers the weapons, and serpents the missiles. In the north, Saṃyadvasus reigned, with Tārkṣya as charioteer and Ariṣṭanemi as chief. The Apsarases were Viśvācī and Ghṛtācī, with water as weapon and wind as missile. Above, Arvāgvasus held sway, with Senajit as charioteer and Suṣeṇa as chief. Urvaśī and Pūrvacitti were the Apsarases; thunder and lightning were their weapons. At the summit of all, Agni was the crown of heaven, the lord of earth, and the force that impelled the seeds of the waters. Agni was the lord of a thousand strengths, a hundred riches, the crown of wisdom and treasures. Atharvan had churned Agni forth from the lotus, making him the head of all creation. Agni, as leader of sacrifice and realm, joined with auspicious companions, placing his head in heaven and making his tongue the bearer of offerings, shining with radiant light. Awakened among people at kindling, Agni stretched like a cow to her calf at dawn; his rays, like young steeds, hastened toward the sky. To Agni, the wise and pure, the mighty bull, hymns were offered with reverence, as one would place a golden ornament in the broad, shining sky. The Hotar, first among creators, was established, most fit for sacrifice and ritual, revealed by the sinless Bhrigus in the forests, radiant for every clan. Agni was born as the vigilant guardian of the people, skilled and generous, bringing new prosperity. His ghee-anointed face shone vast and pure, touching the heavens for the Bharatas. The Angirases had found Agni hidden in every forest, resting in secret, born anew when churned, mighty and great, the son of strength. Together, friends and clans offered praise to Agni, the most bountiful among peoples, the son of strength and nourishment. O vigorous Agni, you are kindled in every Aryan home; at the seat of Ida, you are ignited—bring us wealth. People in every village called upon Agni, the flaming-haired, beloved by many, as the carrier of offerings. With reverence, Agni, the son of nourishment, was invoked as the swift friend, the proper guest, the immortal messenger of all. This immortal messenger, yoked with red steeds, enjoyed all offerings and rushed forth when invoked. The sacrifice was well-ordered, praise was beautiful, and godly wealth was the reward of the people. Agni, lord of strength and cattle, master of power and glory, was entreated to grant great fame. Kindled for wealth, Agni was worthy of praise in song; his ancient light was called to shine forth as a leader. Through the nights and by his own nature, through the dwelling and the dawn, Agni, the king, was invoked to burn away the demons with his sharp jaws, ever watchful, ever radiant, and ever the guardian of the world.