O Agni, thou priest of the sacred rite! Before thee do we call upon the gods. Accept our prayer and our oblation. Carry forth the offering unto the gods; let thy flame bear it high.

Thou art the messenger who goeth between. Thou speakest for the mortals unto the gods on high. Thou speakest for the gods unto the mortals below. O Agni, thou art the bridge, the sacred bond between the seen and the unseen.

The āprī chant doth call forth all things needful for the rite. The waters flow; the earth doth stir. The heavens open; the gods do listen. O Agni, this is the invocation of the ritual elements; hear the call and make all things ready.

Call forth the waters from their dwelling place. Call forth the trees that they may give their wood. Call forth the gods from their celestial throne that they may be present in this rite. O Agni, thou art the voice that doth make all things come forth at the sacred moment.

The priest doth stand before the fire; the singer doth chant the holy verses. The soma is ready; the ghee is prepared. The altar is built; the sacred ground is consecrated. O Agni, in this moment all things are in place and all things wait.

Come, O Agni, with the gods beside thee. Make this rite acceptable unto all the powers. Let the sacrifice be perfect; let every word be true. O Agni, thou flame of all truth, consume our offering and carry it unto the throne of the gods themselves.