In the sacred rite, the invoker begins by addressing the divine presence, recognizing it as the very path and progress of the sacrifice itself: “You are the first step, and for the first step, I place you. You are the following step, and for the following step, I place you. You are the complete step, and for the complete step, I place you. You are brilliance, and for brilliance, I place you.” Thus, each phase of the ritual is consecrated, each progression honored as an embodiment of the divine. The invoker continues, acknowledging the manifold nature of the divine: “You are triple; for the triple, I place you. You are increased, expanded, and joined; for each, I place you. You are advancement, passage, ascent, and going forth; for each, I place you.” With deep reverence, the prayer seeks vigor from the lord, asking that vigor be impelled for the sake of vigor itself. The ritual unfolds further, as each cardinal and intermediate direction is invoked with its presiding powers. The eastern direction is called royal, with the Vasus as its deities and Agni as the leader, supporter, and lord of weapons. The triple praise is laid upon the earth, and the clarified butter and hymns are offered without disturbance. The sacred Sāman chants establish themselves in the midspace, and the sages, first-born among the gods, spread the divine presence in heaven, by measure and greatness. The assembled supporters and lords are called to seat the sacrificer at the summit of heaven, in the celestial realm. Turning to the south, Virāj is invoked with the Rudras as deities and Indra as the leader. The fifteenfold praise is placed upon the earth, hymns are offered, and the Bṛhat Sāman resounds in the midspace. Again, the sages extend the divine presence to the heights, and the sacrificer is placed at the summit of heaven. In the west, Samrāj presides with the Ādityas and Varuṇa, the leader and supporter. Seventeenfold praise is offered, the Marutvatī hymn is sung, and the Vairūpa Sāman is established. The sages perform their sacred spreading, and the sacrificer is once more seated in the celestial world. The northern direction is honored as Svarāj, with the Maruts and Soma, the leader and supporter. The twenty-onefold praise is given, the Niṣkevalya hymn sung, and the Vairāja Sāman set in the midspace. The sages, as before, spread the presence in heaven, and the sacrificer is seated on the summit. To the great direction, Adhipatni, all the gods are invoked, with Bṛhaspati as leader. Thirty-threefold praise is laid, the Vaiśvadeva Agnimāruta hymn is offered, and the Śākvara and Raivata Sāman established. The sages, in their wisdom, extend the divine presence, and the sacrificer is seated at the celestial summit. Now, the guardians and spirits of each direction are honored. In the front, Harikeśa, the sun’s ray, stands with his charioteer Rathagṛtsa and the chief Rathaujā. The Apsarases Puñjikasthalā and Kratusthalā are present, along with Daṅkṣṇava animals; the weapon is human, and the missile is killing. With salutations, the invoker seeks their protection and mercy, consigning those who harbor hatred into their jaws. In the south, Viśvakarman presides, with charioteer Rathasvana and chief Rathecitra. The Apsarases Menakā and Sahajanyā are invoked; the weapon is Yātudhāna, and the missile is Rakṣas. Again, protection and mercy are sought, and enemies are consigned to their jaws. The west is guarded by Viśvavyacās, with Rathaprota as charioteer and Asamaratha as chief. The Apsarases Pramlocantī and Anumlocantī are present; the tiger is the weapon, and serpents are the missiles. Salutations and prayers for protection are offered, and adversaries are consigned to their fate. In the north, Saṃyadvasus presides, with Tārkṣya as charioteer and Ariṣṭanemi as chief. The Apsarases Viśvācī and Ghṛtācī are invoked; water is the weapon, and wind is the missile. The same prayers and offerings are made. Above, Arvāgvasus is lord, with charioteer Senajit and chief Suṣeṇa. The Apsarases Urvaśī and Pūrvacitti are present, with thunder as the weapon and lightning as the missile. Salutations are made, seeking protection and mercy, and enemies are consigned to their jaws. At the summit of all stands Agni, the crown of heaven, the lord of the earth, who impels the seeds of the waters. Agni is the lord of a thousand strengths, a hundred riches, the crown of the wise and the treasures. The story of Agni is recalled: Atharvan churned him forth from the lotus, making him the head of all creation. Agni is the leader of sacrifice and the realm, who, with auspicious companions, has placed his head in heaven and made his tongue the bearer of offerings, shining with light. Agni awakens among people with the kindling, like a cow stretching toward her calf at dawn. As young steeds rise, so do his rays hasten toward the sky. The wise, the pure, the mighty bull worthy of praise, are addressed with words of reverence, and hymns are offered to Agni, shining like a golden ornament in the sky. Here is established, first among creators, the Hotar, most fit for sacrifice, revealed by the sinless Bhrigus in the forests, wondrous and radiant for every clan. Agni is the vigilant guardian of the people, born skilled and generous for new prosperity, his ghee-anointed face vast and touching the heavens, shining brightly for the Bharatas. The Angirases found Agni hidden in secret, resting in every forest. When churned, he is born mighty and great, called the son of strength, O Angiras. Friends are called to offer praise and desire 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 the villages call upon you, O Agni, with flaming hair, beloved by many, as the carrier of offerings. With reverence, Agni is called, the son of nourishment, dear and swift, friend and proper guest, the immortal messenger of all. He is yoked with red steeds, enjoying all, and rushes forth when invoked. The sacrifice is well-ordered, the praise beautiful, and godly wealth is the reward of people. O Agni, lord of strength and cattle, master of power and glory, grant us great fame. Shine forth for us, leader, with your ancient light, kindled for wealth and worthy of song. Through the nights and by your own nature, through dwelling and dawn, burn the demons with your sharp jaws. May Agni, when invoked, be auspicious for us; may the gift, the sacrifice, and the praises all be auspicious. May our minds be made auspicious for victory over obstacles, by which you prevail in battles. Stand firm, make the many victorious, and may we win your favor with our praises. Agni is seen as the Wealth-Giver, to whom cows and swift horses go at sunset—bring nourishment to the singers. Both ladles, bright with clarified butter, are set down; you, Lord of might, are filled by us in hymns—bring nourishment to the singers. Today, Agni, like a horse with praises, like a noble resolve that touches the heart, may we attain you with our invocations. Thus, Agni, you have become the charioteer of great truth, of auspicious will, of skillful action. With these hymns, be near to us, O Agni, radiant with light; with all your gracious faces, approach us. Agni is the priest, the generous one, the Wealth-Giver, the son of strength, the all-knower, wise as the all-knower; the god among gods, compassionate, who, following the stream of ghee, accepts with his flame the offerings of clarified butter.