Agni, the wise and mighty, born anew in every dwelling, hath come to eat the offering. The guest divine, the friend of mortals dwelleth in the house of every man. As the bridegroom cometh to the maiden, so doth he come with gleaming splendor.

The bright-flamed god hath taken his seat; the sacred fire burneth with tongues of light. His rays do spread like hair upon the earth; his beams do shine as far as heaven. The gloom he pierceth with his gleaming body; in darkness shineth forth the radiant one.

Come hither, Agni, to our dwelling! Come thou with all thy bright and shining forms. The sacred wood is laid, the butter floweth; the offering is prepared for thy acceptance. Bring hither all the gods unto this altar; let them feast upon the gifts we offer.

Thou art the messenger, the herald of the gods; thou carriest up the sacrifice to heaven. The prayers and gifts, the hymns that mortals offer—all these thou takest in thy flaming mouth. The gods do hearken unto thy calling; they come with swift obedience to the feast.

With seven rays thou shinest forth, O Agni; with seven mouths dost thou consume the offering. The bright wood burneth in thy glowing embers; the fat drippeth down in streams of sweetness. Thy tongue doth lick the butter and the grain; thy lips do kiss the gift that mortals make.

As a steed in battle, swift and ardent, so dost thou rush forth with mighty vigor. The dark cloud breaketh at thy oncoming; the mist is burned away before thy face. The night is banished by thy brilliant splendor; the whole world shineth in thy radiant glow.

Thou art the purifier, the holy cleaner; all sin and evil flee from thy bright flame. The man who maketh offering unto thee is cleansed of all defilement and of wrong. Thy fire burneth up the guilt of mortals; thy sacred heat doth purify the heart.

Grant us, O Agni, cattle and great riches! Grant us long life and strength beyond all measure. Grant us the blessing of a hundred harvests; grant us the joy of sons and daughters many. May thy protecting flame enfold our dwelling; may thy bright presence guard us all our days.

Thou dost know the ancient laws and ordinances; thou art the keeper of the sacred seasons. When the Soma floweth and the stone doth ring, thou comest to the altar at the call. The priest doth kindle thee with sacred wood; the smoke ascendeth unto heaven for thee.

The immortal gods, O mighty Agni, do follow after thee in every manner. Wherever thou dost go, they hasten forward; they come to thee as supplants to a lord. With reverent heart they wait upon thy footsteps; with voice uplifted they do sing thy praise.

Thou art the friend of man in every battle; thou standest by the warrior in his strife. When he doth call upon thy sacred name with strength of heart and steadfast will of purpose, thou givest him the courage and the might to overcome his foes and stand victorious.

The gift thou givest shall not be withheld; the blessing that thou promisest shall come. The pious man who calleth upon thee with offerings and with hymns shall never want. From thy abundance spring the gifts for mortals; thy hand is ever full of blessings for thy servants.

Agni, thou art supreme among the mighty; no god, no power doth match thy splendor. The heaven itself doth bow before thy brightness; the earth doth tremble at thy coming near. All creatures do obey thy will and power; all things in all the worlds do serve thy purpose.

When first the dawn appeareth in the heavens, the priests do kindle thee with reverent care. Thy smoke ascendeth like a lofty mountain; thy flames do reach unto the realm of gods. The Maruts come to thee with joy and gladness; the Apsarases sing about thy dwelling.

The singers hymn thy praise without ceasing; the poets do exalt thy deeds in song. From age to age thy glory doth endure; from time to time thy splendor doth increase. The sacrifice thou receivest as the giver; thou art the link that joineth earth to heaven.

Accept our offering, bright and flaming Agni! Hear thou our prayer and grant us thy protection. May thy fierce flame consume the evil spirits; may thy bright presence guard us ever onward. Be thou our friend, our father, and our brother; lead us unto the realm of endless light.

Thou art the guest in every dwelling-place; thou art the friend beside each mortal's fire. When men do gather round thee in the evening, thy warmth doth comfort and thy light doth cheer. The child doth play beside thy glowing embers; the elder sitteth warm before thy glow.

In the cold night when darkness covereth all, thy flames do leap and dance with living vigor. The shadows flee before thy fierce advancing; the hearts of men grow warm within thy presence. So let us ever praise thee, mighty Agni, for thou art life and light and sacred joy.

The Soma floweth forth in golden vessels; the butter drippeth from the wooden spoon. The grain and milk are gathered for thy pleasure; the herbs and flowers are strewn before thy altar. Come thou and feast upon the gifts of mortals; drink of the sacred juice and be rejoiced.

Therefore we call upon thee, O Agni! Hear thou the hymn that riseth from our voices. Grant unto us the knowledge of thy greatness; grant us the wisdom of thy ancient teachings. Be thou our guide through all the ways of living; be thou our guard against the darts of evil.