Agni, whom the Bhāradvājas kindle here, we call upon thee — lord of the rite, priest of the altar, mouth of the gods. Come thou to our fire, bearing the gods before thee like a king bearing courtiers. The wood hath split beneath thy hidden flame; the smoke riseth upward as incense. Thou art the hotṛ, the divine priest, who speakest our prayers to the immortals.

The friction-sticks turn, and thou art born again — eternal as the years, ever young, ever burning. Hear us, Agni! We have kindled thee with intention. The butter melts upon thy tongue. The oblations await thy hunger. Through thee the gods shall know our need.

Let Indra come swift as the arrow. Let Mitra and Varuṇa sit in the circle of thy light. Let the Aśvins, twin physicians, attend this sacrifice. Let Soma pour his ecstasy through thy flames. All the powers of heaven shall gather here where thou burnest, O Agni.

Thou art the friend of man, the giver of increase, the keeper of the hearth and home. In winter thy warmth driveth back the darkness. In summer thy presence doth give vigor. Accept these offerings, O Agni. Draw near. Let thy flames leap higher. The gods await beyond the veil of smoke.

We have lit thee as our father, our kinsman, our trusted counselor. Carry our words upward. Make straight the path between earth and heaven. Thou art the bridge, the mediator, the sacred intermediary. Hear us, Agni. Hear us and come.