His be the fires, eternal, purifying, protectors of our homes, whose smoke is shining,

White, waxing in their strength, for ever stirring, and seated in the wood: like winds are Somas.

2Gold-coloured, bannered with the smoke, urged by the wind, aloft to heaven Rise, lightly borne, the flames of fire. Bring to us Mitra-Varuna, bring the Gods to the great sacrifice; Bring them, O Agni, to thine home.

4Yoke, Agni, as a charioteer, thy steeds who best invoke the Gods: As ancient Hotar take thy seat.

5To fair goals travel Two unlike in semblance: each in succession nourishes an infant. One bears a Godlike Babe of golden colour: bright and fair-shining is be with the other.

6Here 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.

7Three times a hundred Gods, and thrice a thousand, and three times ten, and nine have worshipped Agni, For him spread sacred grass, balmed him with butter, and stablished him as Priest and Sacrificer.

8Him, messenger of earth and head of heaven, Agni Vaisvânara, born in holy Order, The Sage, the King, the Guest of men, a vessel fit for their mouths, the Gods have generated.

9May Agni slay the foemen, — fain for riches, through the love of song Kindled, bright, served with sacrifice.

10With the All-Gods, with Indra and with Vâyu drink the Soma mead, O Agni, after Mitra’s laws.

11When splendour reached the Lord of men to speed him, down from the heaven was shed the brilliant moisture. Agni brought forth to light and filled with spirit the youthful host benevolent and blameless.

12Show thyself strong for mighty bliss, O Agni; most excellent be thine effulgent splendours. Make easy to maintain our household lordship and trample down the might of those who hate us.

13We have elected thee as most delightful for thy beams’ glow: hear our great laud, O Agni. The best men praise thee as the peer of Indra in strength, mid Gods, like Vâyu in thy bounty.

14O Agni who art worshipped well, dear let our princes be to thee, Our wealthy patrons who are governors of men, who part in gifts their stalls of kine.

15Hear, Agni who hast ears to hear, with all thy train of escort Gods. Let Mitra, Aryaman, seeking betimes our rite, seat them upon the sacred grass.

16The Freedom of all Gods who merit worship, freely received as Guest in all men’s houses, Agni who hath secured the Gods’ high favour, may he be gracious to us, Jâtavedas.

17In great enkindled Agni’s keeping and, for bliss, free from all sin before Mitra and Varuna, May we share Savitar’s best animating help. We crave this gracious favour of the Gods to-day.

18Like barren cows, moreover, swelled the waters: singers approached thy holy cult, O