2Like a steed neighing eager for the pasture, when he hath stepped forth from the great enclosure: Then the wind following blows upon his splendour, and, straight, the path is black which thou hast travell ed.

3From thee a Bull but newly born, O Agni, the kindled everlasting flames rise upward. Aloft to heaven thy ruddy smoke ascendeth: Agni, thou speedest to the Gods as envoy.

4Thou whose fresh lustre o'er the earth advanceth when greedily with thy jaws thy food thou eatest. Like a host hurried onward comes thy lasso: fierce, with thy tongue thou piercest, as 'twere barley.

5The men have decked him both at eve and morning, Most Youthful Agni, as they tend a courser. They kindle him, a guest within his dwelling: bright shines the splendour of the worshipped Hero.

6O fair of face, beautiful is thine aspect when, very near at hand, like gold thou gleamest, Like Heaven's thundering roar thy might approaches, and like the wondrous Sun thy light thou showest.

7That we may worship, with your Hail to Agni! with sacrificial cakes and fat oblations, Guard us, O Agni, with those boundless glories as with a hundred fortresses of iron.

8Thine are resistless songs for him who offers, and hero−giving hymns wherewith thou savest; With these, O Son of Strength, O Jatavedas, guard us, preserve these princes and the singers.

9When forth he cometh, like an axe new−sharpened, pure in his form, resplendent in his body, Sprung, sought with eager longing, from his Parents, for the Gods' worship, Sage and Purifier:

10Shine this felicity on us, O Agni: may we attain to perfect understanding. All happiness be theirs who sing and praise thee. Ye Gods, preserve us evermore with blessings.