Agni, the mighty one, I kindle thee! Come forth, O blazing priest, from the wood's dark heart. Thou art the mouth of the gods, the ancient flame. Accept our offerings this day, thou divine hotṛ. Let thy golden tongue taste the oblations. Let thy smoke rise up, carrying our praise to the heavens.

O Agni, born from fire-wood struck in the night, thou art more radiant than the sun at dawn. Thy light breaks the darkness; thy warmth sustains all life. The mountains tremble before thee; the waters bow. Thou art the first priest, the eternal sacrificer. Before thee came no other. Thou standest at the threshold of the gods' high hall.

We have summoned thee with the sacred wood. We have breathed upon thy smouldering heart. Now blaze forth! Let thy flames reach up to pierce the belly of the sky. Let the Maruts hear our call. Let Indra see the smoke and know that mortals honour the ancient compact. Let Varuṇa witness that we keep the ṛta, the cosmic law.

Thou art the giver of wealth, O fire. Thou art the keeper of the house. In every hearth thou dwellest. In every altar thou risest. Father of the host! Grant us sons and cattle. Grant us long life and glory. Make our enemies flee before thee as frost melts before the morning sun.

We praise thee, O Agni. Thou art the first of all the gods, and thou shalt be the last. Thou art the boundary between the worlds. Thou art the bridge upon which the offering passes from earth to heaven. Accept our hymn. Accept our fire. Accept our hearts.