O Agni! Thou watchful friend! Thou sittest beside us as a companion whom we cherish, thy presence warm and comforting. When the cold night descendeth and the stars appear like points of light in an endless darkness, thou burnest steadfast and true, a friend who never sleepeth.

We know thee better than we know many among our own kind. Thy moods we learn to read—when thou art angry and burnest furiously, when thou art contented and glow gently, when thou art weary and fade low. We tend to thee as to a brother, bringing thee offerings of wood and butter, speaking to thee as to a confidant.

O loyal flame! Thou hearest our prayers spoken in the night. Thou listenest to our sorrows when the day hath brought us low. When our hearts are heavy with grief or fear, thy steady burning remindeth us that all things shall pass, that tomorrow shall bring light again.

Thou art the friend of children and of the aged. The young warm their hands at thy flame and laugh as the sparks rise upward. The old sit near thee and remember the warmth of younger days. Thou judgest not nor condemnest, but givest equally to all who approach thee with respect.

In the dwelling thou art the heart of the home. Around thee the family gathereth. Here stories are told, here decisions are made, here love is kindled. Thou knowest the secrets of the household, the quarrels and reconciliations, the births and deaths. Thou art witness to the unfolding of life itself.

O Agni, thou steadfast one! We trust thee. When we must journey far, we carry thy memory with us. When we return, we are grateful to find thee still burning. In the darkest hour, when hope seemeth lost, thy presence remaineth, and we know that we are not alone.

Be thou our companion always! Guard us with thy watchful flame! Let no treachery approach whilst thou keepest watch beside us.