In the sacred order of the cosmos, the guardians of the directions stand vigilant. In the north, the Saṃyadvasus preside, their charioteer Tārkṣya guiding them, while Ariṣṭanemi leads their forces as chief. With them are the Apsarases Viśvācī and Ghṛtācī, graceful and luminous. Their weapon is water, their missile the wind. To these protectors, salutations are offered, prayers for their mercy and protection. Any who harbor enmity toward us, or whom we ourselves dislike, are surrendered into their keeping. Above, in the realm of the Arvāgvasus, Senajit drives their chariot, and Suṣeṇa commands as chief. The enchanting Apsarases Urvaśī and Pūrvacitti accompany them, wielding thunder as weapon and lightning as missile. To these too, salutations and prayers are made, seeking their guardianship and compassion, entrusting adversaries into their care. At the summit of all, Agni stands as the crown of heaven and lord of the earth, the force that stirs the seeds within the waters. Agni is the master of a thousand strengths, the holder of countless riches, the crown among the wise and the treasures they cherish. From the lotus, Atharvan churned Agni forth, making him the very head of all creation. Agni is the leader of sacrifice, sovereign of the sacred realm. Where he gathers with auspicious companions, he places his head in the heavens and makes his radiant tongue the bearer of offerings, shining with pure light. When awakened among people with the kindling, Agni rises like a cow stretching toward her calf at dawn; like young steeds leaping up, his rays hasten toward the sky. To this wise, pure, mighty one—Agni, worthy of all praise—devotees speak their hymns with reverence, offering words as one would place a golden ornament in the wide and shining sky. The Hotar, the first among creators, is established here, most fit for sacrifice and ritual, revealed by the sinless Bhrigus in the forests, wondrous and radiant for every clan. Agni, vigilant guardian of the people, is born skilled and generous, bringing new prosperity. His face, anointed with ghee, vast and touching the heavens, shines brightly and purely for the Bharatas. The Angirases once found Agni hidden in every forest, resting in secret. When churned, he is born mighty and great, known as the son of strength, O Angiras. Let friends together offer praise and longing to Agni, the most bountiful among people, 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! You, renowned and beloved, are called upon by villagers, O Agni with flaming hair, as the carrier of offerings. With reverence, Agni is invoked as the son of nourishment, dear and swift, the friend, the honored guest, the immortal messenger for all. This immortal messenger, yoked with red steeds, enjoys all and rushes forth when called. When invoked, he brings forth a well-ordered sacrifice, beautiful praise, and the godly wealth that rewards people. O Agni, lord of strength and cattle, master of power and glory, grant us great fame, O Jātavedas! Agni, wise and kindled for wealth, is worthy of song and praise—shine forth with your ancient light, O leader. O king Agni, through the nights and by your very nature, through the dwelling and dawn, burn away the demons with your sharp jaws. May Agni, when invoked, bring us auspiciousness; may the gift, the sacrifice, and our praises all be auspicious. May our minds be made auspicious for victory over obstacles, by which you prevail in battles. Stand firm, O Agni, as you have in battles of old—make the many victorious, and may our praises win your favor. Agni is seen as the Wealth-Giver, to whom cows and swift, tireless horses go at sunset, bringing nourishment to the singers. He is praised as the one to whom the noble and swift, the well-born heroes, gather—may he bring nourishment to those who sing his hymns. Both ladles, gleaming with clarified butter, are set down for him, and in our hymns, O Lord of might, we fill you—bring nourishment to the singers. Today, Agni, like a horse with praises, like a noble resolve stirring the heart, may we reach 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 radiant Agni; with all your gracious faces, come close. Agni is considered the generous priest, the Wealth-Giver, the son of strength, the wise all-knower; the god among gods, compassionate, who accepts the offerings of clarified butter with his flame as they follow the stream of ghee. Be our nearest, Agni, our protector, our auspicious shelter; O Wealth-Giver, famed for riches, lead us straight to the most radiant treasure. You, most brilliant, shining with flame, we invoke for the good of our friends. The seers, with their austerity, approached the sacred session, kindling Agni and bringing forth the light. In that light, I have placed myself in heaven, with Agni whom the Manus call the one of the strewn grass. May we follow him with our wives, gods with sons, with brothers, or with treasures of gold—grasping the heavens, in the world of the righteous, on the third ridge, in the shining expanse of heaven. Agni, the lively one, has ascended to the midst of speech, lord of truth and wisdom, set upon the back of the earth, flashing without thunder. Let those who strive make a place below. This heroic Agni, bestower of strength and a thousand powers, let him shine forth unfailing, blazing in the midst of the body, drawing near to the divine abodes. Let all move and come together; O Agni, make the divine paths. Restoring ancestors and young ones, may they follow—may this sacred thread be woven in you. Awaken, Agni, rise up! You create both the desired and the fulfilled; let the gods and the worshiper sit together in this and the higher assembly. By your thousand powers, by your all-knowing wisdom, Agni, lead our sacrifice; let it reach the gods, let it reach the light. This is your ritual seat, from which you were born and shone forth; knowing this, Agni, ascend and increase our wealth. May heat and cold, the winter seasons, and their union within Agni be established; may heaven and earth, waters and plants, and all the fires be firmly established in their supremacy and vows. Let these fires, united in mind between heaven and earth, and the winter seasons, being established, draw the gods together like Indra. With that divinity, O Angiras, sit firmly. Thus, the hymns rise in reverence, weaving together the cosmic order, the guardians of the directions, and above all, the radiant presence of Agni—the ever-awakened, the giver of wealth, the immortal messenger who bridges gods and mortals, and the light that leads all beings to auspiciousness and fulfillment.