O radiant one! O shining god! Thou art the light that breaketh the darkness of the world. When thou art kindled, all shadows flee. The night becometh as the day. The blind man seeth. The lost man findeth his way. Thou art the lamp of the gods, the torch of righteousness, the beacon that guideth the righteous home.

Thy flames leap upward like golden serpents yearning toward the sky. Thy light is softer than the moon, yet fiercer than the sun. The smallest spark of thee can illuminate a vast chamber. A thousand men could gather round thy fire and all would be warmed. All would see. All would know that Agni is the radiant one, the glorious, the luminous beyond measure.

In the darkness of the womb, light! In the darkness of the tomb, light! In the darkness of the forest where tigers prowl, light! In the darkness of the human heart where fear dwelleth, light! Thou art the enemy of all darkness, O Agni. Thou burnest it away with thy relentless brightness.

The stars are thy cousins in the night sky. But they are distant, cold, and fixed. Thou art near, warm, and alive. Thou dost flicker and dance. Thou speakest with thy motion. Thou laughest in thy crackling. The stars are silent, but thou—thou art the living voice of light itself.

When the sacrificer kindleth thee upon the altar, the entire world knoweth that the fire hath been lit. The smoke reacheth to the highest heavens. The light spreadeth across the land. All creatures see and understand: A man hath called upon the gods. A prayer hath been made. O radiant Agni, be thou the lamp eternal! Illuminate the path of dharma! Make all things bright and clear and pure!