Forth he goeth, newly born—the Hotar, great seeker of the stormy veil.
Among mortal men he taketh his seat, settling in the bosom of the waters.
He that was set in place now setteth in place your breath of life; he wideneth the gifts for the one who showeth him honor, and he keepeth safe the limbs of flesh.

This one they sought—giving honor where waters keep their stillness— they trailed his path as men might follow the tracks of a vanished cow.

With reverence they pursued him, hidden away, until the fire-seers, the deep-seeing Bhr̥gus, beheld him.

It was Trita, son of Vaibhūvasu, who found him at length, high upon the brow of a cow none dared disturb.

Newborn, yet mighty through gentleness, he waxed in the homes of men, and, still a youth, became the navel of the shining world.

With reverence the fire-priests made him Hotar, bringer of joy, chief at the rites, and brought the holy work forward.

They crowned him with purity, a circlet 'round the kin, when they fixed him as the offering-bearer for the sons of Manu.

Forth they led him—bright, vast, and filled with the breath of song, breaker of walls, no fool though fools go likewise.

They guided him, the sapling's soul, the golden-bearded one, as men might lead a steed for whom verse is the wage, and lo, they sent forth a thought touched by flame.

Trita stood firm in the hearths of men,
and in their midst he sat within the womb unseen.
Thence sped Agni, house-lord of the kin, gathering his treasure, his steeds unchecked, racing toward the worthy across the wide-flung world.

His are the deathless oars of home, the flames that sing through smoke,
shining, swelling, stirring—
they sit on the wood like winds among boughs, like draughts of soma in the groaning cups.

Agni showeth forth his trembling gladness with his tongue of flame, his form revealeth the marks of the wide earth.

The sons of Āyu set him as Hotar, blazing and pure, chief joy of the rite, worthiest of all for worship.

He is Agni, begotten of Heaven and Earth, of the Waters, of Tvaṣṭar, and the Bhr̥gus with their strength.

First-called in reverence, he whom Mātariśvan and the gods shaped as the path of offering for the line of Manu.

Thou whom the gods themselves set to bear their gift, whom the sons of Manu, hungering deep, appointed for the rite—

O Agni, grant life-breath anew to the one who praiseth thee.
For he who seeketh the gods goeth ever forward— and glory bringeth maidens in his train.