O Agni! Bearer of the sacred oblation! Upon thy tongue the offering is placed, and by thy power it is transformed and conveyed to the realm of the gods. Thou art the priest's most faithful helper, the intermediary who speaketh on our behalf.

The butter that melteth upon thy flame is not mere butter—it becometh something else, something transformed, something that journeyeth to the ears of Indra and Varuṇa, to Mitra and the Aśvins, to all the deathless ones. Thou makest this transformation possible, O sacred fire.

We trust thee with our most precious offerings. What we cannot give directly to the gods, we give to thee, knowing that thou wilt faithfully bear it upward. Thou askest nothing in return but our respect and our gratitude.

O flame! How patient art thou with our fumbling rites! We priests are clumsy in our movements, uncertain in our words, yet thou acceptest what we offer with grace and dignity. Thou takest the flawed gift and in thy heat makest it perfect.

Thou knowest the secret words that the gods understand. When we speak our prayers, thou speakest them again in the language of heaven. Thou art more eloquent than we are, O Agni, for thou speakest the truth of transformation, the language of becoming.

We have placed in thy charge the hopes of our people. The warrior needeth thy blessing ere he goeth to battle. The merchant needeth thy blessing ere he travelleth. The woman who wisheth to bear a child calleth upon thee. The sick who seeketh healing placeth his hope in the offering thou carriest.

O faithful servant! O noble intermediary! Thou art the bridge between the world of mortals and the eternal realm. Without thee we would be severed from the gods, unable to communicate, alone. Through thee we are connected, we are remembered, we are blessed.

Accept our gratitude, O Agni! Carry our offerings with honor and speed!