VI.4

✦ ─── ⟐ ─── ✦

Through thy flames, O Agni, we summon the host of heaven. Thou art the inviter, the one who knocketh upon their doors and calleth them to the feast. What god shall not attend when the fire burneth bright with intention?

Come, Indra! Come swift as the arrow, fierce as the bull! Drink the Soma, grow mightier, shake the heavens with thy roar! Come at the call of Agni's flames. Come and strengthen us, O king of gods.

Come, Mitra and Varuṇa! Come, guardians of the cosmic order! Come, sharers of ṛta — the truth that holdeth all things in their place. Come witness this sacrifice. Come grant thy blessings upon our gathered assembly.

Come, Maruts! Come, storm-winds with thy terrible voices! Come riding thy chariots across the sky! Come fierce and bright and terrible. Come carrying the rain that maketh the field fertile. Agni calleth thee upward.

Come, Aśvins! Come, twin physicians of dawn! Come with thy healing balms and thy knowledge of remedies. Come riding thy golden chariot. Come bless this household with health and long life.

Come, Soma! Come, glorious plant of ecstasy and vision! Thou who growest upon the mountains, thou whom we press with stone and filter through wool — come down into thy portion of the offering. Come and mingle with the butter. Come and bind us to the immortal realm.

All ye gods who dwell in heaven and earth and the waters between — Agni calleth thee. Hear his voice in the crackle of the flames. See his presence in the rising smoke. Come and accept what we offer. Come and dwell among us, if only for this moment of sacred communion.