Agni, the priest and foremost leader, is the sharp-eyed one in charge of the ritual. He truly understands the sacrifice, from start to finish.

This verse introduces Agni, the divine fire, as the chief priest and forward-thinker for the sacrifice. He's portrayed as someone who deeply understands the ritual, making him the perfect guide and orchestrator of the entire ceremony. Think of him as the ultimate host who knows exactly how to make everything run smoothly.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. अग्निः होता पुरोहितः agníḥ hótā puróhitaḥ (8 syllables)
• B. अध्वरस्य विचर्षणिः adhvarásya vícarṣaṇiḥ (8 syllables)
• C. स वेद यज्ञम् आनुषक् sá veda yajñám ānuṣák (8 syllables)

He, the immortal bearer of offerings, the eager messenger, with a satisfied mind, Agni sets himself in motion, driven by our thoughts.

This verse highlights Agni's role as the immortal carrier of offerings, always willing and ready to deliver them. He's described as an eager messenger who, with a clear mind and purpose, actively participates in the ritual, driven by the devotion of the worshippers.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. स हव्यवाट् अमर्त्यः sá havyavā́ṭ ámartyaḥ (8 syllables)
• B. उशिक दूतः चनोहितः uśík dūtáḥ cánohitaḥ (8 syllables)
• C. अग्निः धिया सम् ऋण्वति agníḥ dhiyā́ sám r̥ṇvati (8 syllables)

Agni, the ancient banner of the sacrifice, pays attention with his wisdom. Indeed, his purpose achieves its aim.

This verse emphasizes Agni's attentiveness, stating that he responds to our thoughts and prayers. As an ancient and prominent figure, like a banner of the sacrifice, he ensures that our intentions and efforts in the ritual are successful and fruitful.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. अग्निः धिया स चेतति agníḥ dhiyā́ sá cetati (8 syllables)
• B. केतुः यज्ञस्य पूर्वः ketúḥ yajñásya pūrvyáḥ (8 syllables)
• C. अर्थं हि अस्य तरणि ártham hí asya taráṇi (8 syllables)

The gods made Agni, the renowned son of strength, the knower of all, their carrier.

The gods themselves established Agni in his prominent roles. They appointed him as their son, renowned since ancient times, the one who knows all that exists, and the ultimate carrier of offerings to the divine realm.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. अग्निम् सूनुम् सनश्रुतम् agním sūnúm sánaśrutam (8 syllables)
• B. सहसः जातवेदसम् sáhasaḥ jātávedasam (8 syllables)
• C. वह्निं देवाः अकृण्वत váhnim devā́ḥ akr̥ṇvata (8 syllables)

Agni, the unassailable leader, goes before the human tribes, a swift and ever-new chariot.

Agni is presented as an unassailable leader who guides human communities. He's described as a perpetually swift and new chariot, symbolizing his constant readiness, reliability, and the dynamic energy he brings to leading and protecting humanity.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. अदाभ्यः पुरएता ádābhyaḥ puraetā́ (8 syllables)
• B. विशाम् अग्निः मानुषीणाम् viśā́m agníḥ mā́nuṣīṇām (8 syllables)
• C. तूर्णिः रथः सदा नवः tū́rṇiḥ ráthaḥ sádā návaḥ (8 syllables)

Agni, the uninjured power of the gods, overcomes all attacks and assaults, and is the most famous.

This verse praises Agni as the supreme power of the gods, capable of overcoming all adversaries and challenges. His fame is unparalleled, and he is described as the divine intellect or strength that remains unharmed, symbolizing his ultimate victory and glory.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. साह्वान विश्वाः अभियुजः sāhvā́n víśvāḥ abhiyújaḥ (8 syllables)
• B. क्रतुः देवानाम् अंमृक्तः krátuḥ devā́nām ámr̥ktaḥ (8 syllables)
• C. अग्निः तुविश्रवस्तमः agníḥ tuvíśravastamaḥ (8 syllables)

Through his vehicle, the worshipping mortal attains all delights and a dwelling from Agni, whose flames are purifying.

This verse describes how a mortal worshipper, through Agni's divine vehicle (carrying offerings) and prayers, can attain blessings and a secure dwelling. Agni, with his purifying flames, enables the devotee to reach a state of fulfillment and safety.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. अभि प्रयांसि वाहसा abhí práyāṃsi vā́hasā (8 syllables)
• B. दाश्वाँ अश्नोति मर्त्यः dāśvā́n aśnoti mártyaḥ (8 syllables)
• C. क्षयम् पावकशोिषः kṣáyam pāvakáśociṣaḥ (8 syllables)

May we, the wise ones, by our hymns, obtain all the well-placed gifts from Agni, the knower of all.

This verse is a prayer from the sages (vipras) to Agni, the knower of all. They ask that through their inspired hymns and devotion, they may receive all the best and well-prepared gifts that Agni offers, securing prosperity and well-being.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. परि विश्वा सुधिता pári víśvāni súdhitā (8 syllables)
• B. अग्नेः अश्याम मन्मभिः agnéḥ aśyāma mánmabhiḥ (8 syllables)
• C. विप्रासः जातवेदसः víprāsaḥ jātávedasaḥ (8 syllables)

O Agni! In times of contest, may we win all desirable things. The gods have indeed established themselves in you.

This verse is a direct invocation to Agni, asking him to bestow all desirable blessings and treasures during times of struggle and competition. It highlights Agni's central importance, stating that all the gods find their purpose and stability in him.

Meter: Gayatri

• A. अग्ने विश्वा वार्या ágne víśvāni vā́ryā (8 syllables)
• B. वाजेषु सनिषामहे vā́jeṣu saniṣāmahe (8 syllables)
• C. त्वे देवासः आ एरिरे tvé devā́saḥ ā́ īrire (8 syllables)