1, THEE Agni, have the Gods, ever of one accord, sent hither down, a God, appointed messenger, yea, with their wisdom sent thee down. The Immortal, O thou Holy One, mid mortal men, the God-devoted God, the wise, have they brought forth, brought forth the omnipresent God-devoted Sage.

2As such, O Agni, bring with favour to the Gods thy Brother Varuṇa who loveth sacrifice, True to the Law, the Āditya who supporteth men, the King, supporter of mankind.

3Do thou, O Friend, turn hither him who is our Friend, swift as a wheel, like two car-steeds in rapid course, Wondrous! to us in rapid course. O Agni, find thou grace for us with Varuṇa, with Maruts who illumine all. Bless us, thou Radiant One, for seed and progeny, yea, bless us, O thou Wondrous God.

4Do thou who knowest Varuṇa, O Agni, put far away from us the God’s displeasure. Best Sacrificer, brightest One, refulgent remove thou far from us all those who hate us.

5Be thou, O Agni, nearest us with succour, our closest Friend while now this Morn is breaking. Reconcile to us Varuṇa, be bounteous enjoy the gracious juice; be swift to hear us.

6Excellent is the glance, of brightest splendour, which the auspicious God bestows on mortals- The God’s glance, longed-for even as the butter, pure, heated, of the cow, the milch-cow’s bounty.

7Three are those births, the true, the most exalted, eagerly longed-for, of the God, of Agni. He came invested in the boundless region, pure, radiant, friendly, mightily resplendent.

8This envoy joyeth in all seats of worship, borne on his golden car, sweet-tongued Invoker: Lovely to look on, with red steeds, effulgent, like a feast rich in food, joyous for ever.

9Allied by worship, let him give man knowledge: by an extended cord they lead him onward. He stays, effectual in this mortal’s dwelling, and the God wins a share in his possessions.

10Let Agni -for he knows the way- conduct us to all that he enjoys of God-sent riches, What all the Immortals have prepared with wisdom, Dyaus, Sire, Begetter, raining down true blessings.

11In houses first he sprang into existence, at great heaven’s base, and in this region’s bosom; Footless and headless, both his ends concealing, in his Bull’s lair drawing himself together.

12Wondrously first he rose aloft, defiant, in the Bull’s lair, the homeof holy Order, Longed-for, young, beautiful, and far-resplendent: and sevendear frieuds sprang up unto the Mighty.

13Here did our human fathers take their places, fain to fulfil the sacred Law of worship. Forth drave they, with loud call, Dawn’s teeming Milch-kine bid in the mountainstable, in the cavern.

14Splendid were they when they had rent the mountain: others, around, shall tell forth this their exploit. They sang their song, prepared to free the cattle: they found the light; with holy hymns they worshipped.

15Eager, with thought intent upon the booty,