Thou art the mouth of the gods, O Agni! The divine hotṛ who speaketh for all heaven. When mortals pour the oblation, it is thy tongue that tasteth it. When men sing the hymn, it is thine ear that heareth. Thou art the translator between earth and sky, the envoy of the Devas, the priest eternal.

The gods did not make themselves known until thou didst speak for them. Thou art their voice. In thy flames they see themselves reflected. In thy smoke they smell the sweetness of our devotion. Without thee, they would be silent, distant, unknowable. But thou art the bridge! Thou art the connecting fire that bindeth the mortal realm to the divine.

O Agni, hotṛ supreme! Thou standest at the great sacrifice with thy hands raised. The Soma floweth, the butter burneth, the grain falleth into thy mouth. And thou, with thy golden voice, criest out: "Hear, O gods! Hear the prayer of these mortals! Come ye, taste ye, grant ye blessing!" Thus thou speakest, and the gods do listen.

Indra heareth thy call and the clouds gather. Varuṇa heareth thy voice and the waters obey. The Maruts hear and the winds blow strong. The Ādityas hear and the sun rideth forth in his golden chariot. All heaven moveth at thy word, O Agni. Thou art more mighty than the mightiest god, for it is through thy mouth that all divinity floweth forth.

Vāmadeva honoureth thee this day, O hotṛ! Let thy flames lick the clouds. Let thy smoke ascend without end. Let thy voice boom through the three worlds, proclaiming the glory of the sacrifice. Thou art the throat of heaven, the tongue of the immortals. Accept our oblation. Carry our praise to the throne of Indra the King.