SERVE Agni with the kindling-brand, with drops of butter wake the Guest.

In him pay offerings to the Gods.

2To Agni Jâtavedas, to the flame, the well-enkindled God, Offer thick sacrificial oil.

3Thee, such, O Angiras, with brands and sacred oil we magnify, O very brilliant, Youthfullest.

4Rich in oblations, dropping oil, to thee, sweet Agni, let them go. Accept with favour these my brands.

5Earth! Ether! Sky! Like heaven in plenty and like earth in compass! Upon thy back, Earth, place of sacrificing to Gods, for gain of food I lay food-eating Agni.

6This spotted Bull hath come and sat before the Mother and before The Father, mounting up to heaven.

7As expiration from his breath his radiance penetrates within: The Bull shines out through all the sky.

8He rules supreme through thirty realms. Song is bestowed upon the Bird Throughout the days at break of morn.

9Agni is light, and light is Agni. Hail! Sûrya is light, and light is Sûrya. Hail! Agni is splendour, light is splendour. Hail! Sûrya is splendour, light is splendour. Hail! Light is Sûrya, Sûrya is light. Hail!

10Accordant with bright Savitar and Night with Indra at her side, May Agni, being pleased, enjoy. All-hail!

11Approaching sacrifice, may we pronounce a text to Agni who Heareth us even when afar.

12Agni is head and height of heaven, the Master of the earth is he: He quickeneth the waters’ seed.

13You two will I invoke, O Indra-Agni, will please you both together with oblation. Givers, you twain, of vigorous strength and riches, you twain do I invoke for gain of vigour.

14This is thine ordered place of birth whence, sprung to life, thou shonest forth. Knowing this, Agni, rise thou up and cause our riches to increase.

15Here by ordainers was this God appointed first Invoker, best at worship, to be praised at rites, Whom Apnavâna and the Bhrigus caused to shine, bright-coloured in the wood, spreading to every house.

16After his ancient splendour they, the bold, have drawn the bright milk from The Sage who wins a thousand gifts.

17Thou, Agni, art our bodies’ guard. Guard thou my body. Giver of life art thou, O Agni. Give me life. Giver of splendour art thou, Agni. Give me splendour. All that is wanting in my body, Agni, supply for me.

18Enkindled we enkindle thee through hundred winters, thee the bright; We healthy, thee who givest health; we strong, thee author of our strength; We, never injured, Agni, thee uninjured injurer of foes. O rich in shining lights, may I in safety rich the end of thee.

19Thou hast attained, O Agni, to the splendour of Sûrya, to the eulogy of Rishis, and to the habitation which thou lovest. May I attain to lengthened life, to splendour, to offspring and abundant store of riches.

20Ye are food, may I enjoy your food. Ye are might, may