O Agni, thou watchful flame that burneth through the night! When darkness falleth upon the land and fear creepeth into the hearts of men, there art thou, burning steadfast and resolute. Thy light doth push back the shadows; thy heat doth warm the trembling body and the anxious soul.

We kindle thee at eventide, O guardian of the dark hours. We feed thee with wood and dung so that thou shalt not languish as the night deepeneth. We pour the butter and the offerings so that thy flames shall remain bright and strong until the first light of dawn appeareth upon the eastern horizon.

Thou art the sentinel of our homes. No thief, no wild beast, no malevolent spirit dareth approach where thy flames burn bright. Thy very presence is a ward against all that is hostile and dangerous. The robber seeth thy light from a great distance and turneth away, seeking prey elsewhere. The jackal giveth thy dwelling a wide berth.

We gather around thy warmth in the nighttime hours. The children huddle close, listening to the stories that the elders tell of gods and heroes, of ancient deeds and cosmic struggles. Thy flames dance as the storytellers speak, and it seemeth that the very events being described are enacted in the play of light and shadow upon the walls.

What would our nights be without thee, O Agni? Cold, dark, and terrible beyond measure. We would huddle in our huts like frightened animals, starting at every sound, seeing enemies in every shadow. But with thee, O watchful flame, the night becometh companionable. Fear loseth its grip upon us.

Guard us well, O sleepless fire. Stand sentinel through the darkness. Let thy flames not waver or diminish. Be thou our constant companion and our unfailing protector until the sun riseth once more and the world emergeth into light.