Awake, O Agni! The dawn hath broken forth and the birds do cry their hymns to the new day. Rise up from thy rest and kindle thyself anew, for this is the hour of sacrifice, the moment when the gods do hunger for our offerings. Thou art the priest of morning, the herald of the sacred rite.

The worshippers have bathed themselves and made their hearts pure. They have gathered the wood, they have fetched the water, they have prepared the ghee and the sacred herbs. All waiteth for thee, O fire-god! Without thee, there is no sacrifice. Without thee, no prayer can reach the throne of heaven.

Thou standest at the altar, robed in brightness, thy tongue of flame reaching upward to caress the sky. The oblations rest before thee — accept them, O divine priest! Transform them with thy sacred touch and carry them up unto Indra and unto Varuṇa and unto all the devas who await their portion.

Speak thou for us unto the immortals! We mortals have no voice that reacheth their ears save through thy flame. Our words, our hopes, our cries for blessing — all these thou takest and utterest in the language of the gods. Be our spokesman, O Agni, be our advocate before the throne of heaven.

And when thou hast finished thy holy work, when the oblations are consumed and their essence hath ascended, then turn thy gaze upon us and grant us thy favor. Let no evil eye curse our cattle. Let no sickness enter our homes. Let our children be born strong, let our crops grow tall, let our warriors triumph in battle. All this we ask of thee through the medium of thy sacred flame.