As we approach the sacrifice,
Let us utter a hymn to Agni,
Who heareth us, even from afar.
After his ancient splendour,
The bold ones have drawn the white milk
From the seer who winneth a thousand.
Agni is the head of the sky, the height,
Lord of the earth here,
He quickeneth the seed of the waters.
Here hath he first been established by the establishers,
Youngest Hotr to be invoked at the sacrifices,
Whom Apnavana and the Bhrgus caused to shine,
Bright in the woods, spreading from house to house.
Ye twain shall be summoned, O Indra and Agni [1],
Ye twain shall rejoice together in the offering
You both, givers of food and riches,
You both I summon for the winning of strength.
This is thy due place of birth,
Whence born thou didst shine;
Mount it, O Agni, knowing it,
And make our wealth increase.
O Agni, thou purifiest life;
Do thou give food and strength to us;
Far away drive ill-fortune.
O Agni, good worker, purify for us
Glory in good heroes,
Giving increase of wealth [2] to me.
O Agni, the purifying, with thy light,
O god, with thy pleasant tongue,
Bring hither the gods and sacrifice.
Do thou, O shining and purifying one,
O Agni, bring hither the gods
To our sacrifice and our oblation.
Agni, of purest vows,
Pure sage, pure poet,
Shineth in purity when offering is made.
O Agni, thy pure,
Bright, flaming (rays) arise,
Thy lights, thy flames.
Thou art giver of life, O Agni; give me life [3]. Thou art giver of radiance, O Agni; give me radiance. Thou art guardian of the body, O Agni; guard my body.
O Agni, whatever is deficient in my body, do thou make that good for me.
O thou of various splendour, in safety may I reach the end of thee.
Kindling thee may we kindle thee for a hundred winters, in radiance, strong the giver of strength, famous the giver of fame, with good heroes, the undeceived, O Agni, the deceiver of foes in
the highest firmament.
Thou, O Agni, hast attained the radiance of the sun, the praises of the Rsis, thy beloved abode.
Thou, O Agni, hast the radiance of the sun; grant me life, radiance, and offspring.
