20. Agni is head and height of heaven, the Master of the earth is he. He quickeneth the waters’ seed.
21. This Agni is the Master of spoil thousandfold and hundredfold, the sapient one, the head of wealth.
22. Agni, Atharvan brought thee forth by rubbing from the lotus-leaf, the head of Visva, of the Priest.
23. Guide of the rite art thou and of the region to which with thine auspicious teams thou tendest. Thy light-bestowing head to heaven thou liftest, making thy tongue oblation-bearer, Agni.
24. Agni is wakened by the people’s fuel to meet the Dawn who cometh like a milch-cow. Like young trees shooting up on high their branches his flames are rising to the vault of heaven.
25. To him adorable, sage, strong and mighty we have sung forth our song of praise and homage. Gavishthira hath raised with prayer to Agni this laud far-reaching as the gold in heaven.
26. Here by ordainers was this God appointed first Invoker, best at worship, to be praised at rites; Whom Apnavâna and the Bhrigus caused to shine bright-coloured in the wood, spreading to every house.
27. The watchful Guardian of the people hath been born, Agni the very strong, for fresh prosperity. With oil upon his face, with high heaven-touching flame, he shineth splendidly, pure for the Bharatas.
28. Agni, Angirases discovered thee what time thou layest hidden, fleeing back from wood to wood. Thou by attrition art produced as conquering, might, and men, O Angiras, call thee the Son of Strength.
29. Offer to Agni, O my friends, your seemly food, your seemly praise; To him supremest o’er the folk, the Son of Strength, the Mighty Lord.
30. Thou, mighty Agni, gatherest up all that is precious for thy friend: Bring us all treasure as thou art enkindled in libation’s place.
31. O Agni, loved of many, thou of fame most wondrous, in their homes Men call on thee whose hair is flame to be the bearer of their gifts.
32. With this my reverent hymn I call Agni for you, the Son. of Strength, Dear, wisest envoy, served with noble sacrifice, immortal messenger of all.
33. Immortal messenger of all, immortal messenger of all, His two red steeds, all-cherishing; he harnesseth: let him, well-worshipped, urge them fast.
34. Let him well-worshipped urge them fast, let him well-worshipped urge them fast. Then hath the sacrifice good prayer and happy end, and heavenly gift of wealth to men.
35. O Agni, thou who art the Lord of wealth in kine, the Son of Strength, Vouchsafe to us, O Jâtavedas, high renown.
36. He, Agni, kindled, good and wise, must be exalted in our song: Shine, thou of many forms, shine radiantly on us.
37. O Agni, shining of thyself by night and when the morning breaks, Burn, thou whose teeth are sharp, against the Râkshasas.
38. May Agni, worshipped, bring us bliss, may the gift, Blessed One! and sacrifice bring bliss, Yea, may our praises bring us bliss.
39. Yea, may our praises bring us bliss. Show forth the mind that brings success in war with fiends, wherewith thou conquerest in fights:
40. Wherewith thou conquerest in fights. Bring down the many firm hopes of our enemies, and let us vanquish with thine aid.
41. I value Agni, that good Lord, the home to which the kind return; Whom fleet-foot coursers seek as home, and strong enduring steeds as home. Bring food to those who sing thy praise.
42. ’Tis Agni whom we laud as good, to whom the milch-kine come in herds, To whom the coursers swift of foot, to whom our well-born princes come. Bring food to those who sing thy praise.
43. Thou, brilliant God, within thy mouth warmest both ladles of the oil. So fill us also in our hymns abundantly, O Lord of Strength. Bring food to those who sing thy praise.
44. Agni, with lauds this day may we bring thee that which thou lovest, Right judgment, like a horse, with our devotions.
45. For thou hast ever been the car-driver, Agni, of noble Strength, lofty sacrifice, and rightful judgment.
46. Through these our praises come thou to meet us, bright as the sunlight, O Agni, well-disposed, with all thine aspects.
