In ancient times, the Angirases, wise seers, discovered Agni, the sacred fire, hidden in secret places, resting deep within every forest. Whenever they churned and kindled him, Agni was born anew—mighty and great—and they honored him as the son of strength, O Angiras. Gathering together, friends joined in offering praise and heartfelt desires to Agni, the most generous among all peoples, the son of strength and nourishment. In every Aryan home, the vigorous Agni was kindled, especially at the seat of Ida, where his flames were ignited to bring wealth and prosperity. Agni, renowned and beloved, was called upon by the people in villages, his flaming hair lighting the way as he carried their offerings. With reverence, Agni was invoked—the swift, dear friend, the proper guest, immortal messenger for all. This immortal messenger, yoked to red steeds, rushed forth joyfully when summoned, bringing the sacrifice into perfect order and rewarding beautiful praise with divine wealth. As lord of strength and cattle, master of power and glory, Agni—Jātavedas—was petitioned to grant great fame. Wise Agni, kindled for wealth, was praised in song, shining forth as leader with ancient light. Through nights and dawns, Agni, king and protector, was asked to burn away demons with his sharp jaws. May Agni, when invoked, bring auspiciousness: may the gifts, sacrifices, and praises all be blessed. May the mind be made auspicious for victory over obstacles, as Agni prevails in battles. Steadfast, Agni endured in conflicts, making many victorious, and the people sought his favor through their hymns. Agni was seen as the Wealth-Giver, to whom cows and swift, tireless horses came at sunset—he was asked to bring nourishment to the singers. Praised as the Wealth-Giver, Agni drew together cows, swift heroes, and all who sought his blessing—again, nourishment for the singers was desired. Both ladles, bright with clarified butter, were set down for Agni, Lord of might, filling him with hymns and seeking nourishment for the singers. On this day, Agni was approached as one would a horse with praises, or a noble resolve touching the heart, hoping to reach him through their invocations. Agni had become the charioteer of great truth, auspicious will, and skillful action. With radiant light, he was called near through hymns, his gracious faces sought by all. As priest and generous Wealth-Giver, Agni, son of strength and all-knower, accepted upright rites and offerings of clarified butter with compassion, following the stream of ghee. Agni was invoked as protector, shelter, and auspicious leader, guiding towards radiant treasures and good fortune for friends. The seers, through austerity, kindled Agni and brought forth light, placing themselves in the heavens with Agni, whom the Manus called the one with the strewn grass. May all follow Agni—with wives, sons, brothers, or treasures of gold—grasping heaven in the world of the righteous, on the third ridge, in the shining expanse. Agni, lively and wise, ascended to the midst of speech, flashing without thunder from the earth’s back, while those who strive made a place below. This heroic Agni, bestower of strength and a thousand powers, was never failing, blazing in the midst of the body, approaching the divine abodes. All were called to move forth together, following Agni along divine paths, restoring ancestors and young ones, weaving the sacred thread within him. Agni was awakened and urged to rise, creating both the desired and fulfilled, so that gods and worshipers might sit together in this assembly and higher ones. By his knowledge, carrying a thousand, Agni was asked to lead the sacrifice to the gods, to the light. His ritual seat, from which he was born and shone forth, was recognized, and Agni was asked to ascend, increasing wealth. The union within Agni—heat and cold, winter seasons—was to be established, along with heaven, earth, waters, plants, and fires, all united in mind between heaven and earth. As the winter seasons settled, may the gods, like Indra, come together, and with that divinity, O Angiras, sit firmly. May the Supreme Lord seat Agni upon the radiant expanse of the sky, for the breath of all—inhale, exhale, circulate, ascend, establish, and move. The Sun is Agni’s ruler, and by that divine power, O Angiras, may he be firmly established. Agni was to fill the world, fill its opening, and be firmly seated, blessed in the womb by Indra, Agni, and Brihaspati. The offspring of Prishni pressed Soma for him, and the birth of the gods shone forth in the three realms of heaven. All voices exalted Indra, whose domain is the ocean, foremost among charioteers, true lord of prizes and master. The horse, released, grazed on grass as the great barrier was removed; then the wind followed its course, the flame spread, and the path became dark. Agni was seated in the dwelling, in the shade, in the heart of the ocean—radiant and shining, he ascended to the sky and shone upon the earth and the wide atmosphere. Again, the Supreme Lord was asked to seat Agni upon the radiant expanse, to spread and strengthen the heavens without harm, for the breath of all, protected by the Sun’s shield and peace, firmly established by divine power, O Angiras. Agni was praised as the measure, likeness, and expansion of a thousand, mighty and dedicated to the thousand. Then, salutations were offered to Rudra, the wrathful one, and to his arrow, as well as to his arms. Rudra was called to reveal his auspicious form—free from terror and evil—with his gracious body, O mountain-dweller, to those who seek him. Thus, through reverent invocation and sacred praise, the story of Agni and Rudra unfolds, weaving together the divine powers, the blessings of fire, and the harmony of the heavens and earth.