Brilliant is the waxing of the tender babe, though he draweth not nigh to his twin mothers for suck.
Though the udderless hath begotten him, yet he hath waxed full-grown in a breath, setting forth upon a mighty errand.
He is set in the house, named Agni—chief of craftsmen— who bindeth fast the timbers with his biting tooth, with his grinding tongue; he, master of rite, snorteth like a bull of strength amid the field.
Him do I call for you—the god seated on the wood as a bird in the bough, the drop from the reed resting in the wooden cup, snorting, sweeping the earth, undulating in motion, the bearer of gifts with a mouth like a draught-horse, flaming forth in might, a runner beneath a solemn charge.
O thou ageless one, thy flames rush forth to burn, eager as winds, steadfast as hills—they round thee in brightness; fierce-hearted, they reach to Trita like warriors charging the matchless champion, bidding him forth to strive.
Even this Agni, pride of the Kaṇvas, comrade at their side, breaker of foes far and near— let him shield the song-weavers, let him guard the givers; let Agni stretch forth their aid to us.
O thou of noble stock, the prize-taker, the greater in might, to Jātavedas doth the flame reach thirsting, yielding the gift— he who, by choice, dareth greatly, though in a waterless land; he, the foremost, who for hunger’s sake pierceth the desolate wild.
Thus is Agni hailed among men of strength with their mortal lords, the bold child of force, lauded by the worthy— these patrons, firm in their place as goodly friends, true-seekers, outshining the line of Manu as the heavens outshine below.
“O child of feeding, mighty in thy being”—thus speaketh the bullish tongue of Upastuta.
We shall raise thy praise—we, enriched with champions through thy grace, stretching the threads of life yet further for our days.
So have the sons of Vṛṣṭihavya, the Upastutas, seers of old, made thee known, O Agni.
Shield them now—both singers and their lords.
With the cry of “Vaṣaṭ, vaṣaṭ,” they have stood aright before thee; with “Homage, homage,” they have drawn nigh in awe.