At the sacred place of Ilā, at the very navel of the earth, the sages gathered and reverently placed Agni, the knower of all births, at the heart of the altar to receive the offerings, especially the sacrificial cake. With devotion, men churned and generated Agni—the wise, immortal sage, well-formed and all-knowing—bringing him forth as the foremost sign of sacrifice, gracious and radiant at the forefront of the rite. As their strong arms worked, Agni blazed forth like a swift, red horse racing through the forest. His brilliance, unrestrained like the coursing Aśvins, encircled the sacred grass, burning it from the stone, marking the presence of sacrifice. Once born, Agni shone with discernment and strength, inspired and praised by the sages, generous in his gifts. The gods themselves had set him in the rites as the all-knowing bearer of offerings, worthy of praise. “Sit in your own place, O Hotar,” they invited him, “discerning one, seat the sacrifice in its goodly womb. Worship the gods with offering, O Agni, and grant strength to the great worshipper.” The people urged one another: “Make the smoke strong, friends, do not falter! Strive for the prize! This Agni, mighty and the slayer of foes, is by whom the gods overcame the Dasyus.” “This is your seat, O ritual one, from which you were born and shone forth. Knowing this, Agni, sit here and increase our songs.” Agni was called the protector of the body, the divine embryo. When he was born, he became the desire of men. When Mātariśvan measured him within the mother, the outpouring of the wind became manifest in its course. Well churned, well placed, the sage Agni was set down; he was asked to perform the right rites and worship the gods for the worshipper. Mortals generated the immortal, the tireless, the swift one with hidden jaws. The ten sisters, together, approached the vigorous, newly-born Agni. The sevenfold Hotar had shone forth since ancient times, burning in the mother’s lap, in the udder. Day by day, ever since his birth from the belly of the mighty one, the bountiful Agni did not close his eyes. Armed against foes like the Maruts in their advance, Agni was the first-born of sacred order, known to all. The radiant prayer was set forth by the Kuśikas; each in his own house kindled Agni. “As today, in this sacrifice, we have chosen you, wise Hotar, with devotion. Come here. With what is firm, by what is firm, and with the best offerings, knowing and understanding, approach the Soma.” Meanwhile, Indra, the lover of Soma, was invoked by his friends. They pressed the Soma and prepared the offerings, enduring even the curses of men, for apart from Indra, none was truly wise. No realm was too distant for him; he was called forth as Lord of the Bay Steeds, his horses ready for the strong bull. The stones were yoked for pressing, the fire was kindled. Indra, of beautiful beard, generous and mighty, leader of great hosts, powerful in deeds, was asked, “When you, fierce one, are restrained among mortals, where are your heroic powers?” For Indra alone could shake the unshaken; he roamed, slaying the Vṛtras. Heaven and earth, and the mountains, stood firm by his law, as if measured by his rod. By his fame alone, Indra shattered strongholds as the slayer of Vṛtra. He grasped even the two vast worlds as if they were his own possessions. “Let your bay steeds, O Indra, be released down the slope; let your thunderbolt go forth, crushing the foes. Strike down those who come from all directions; make truth prevail and destroy what is false.” To those to whom Indra gave life, even the unoffered portion became their household share. Blessed was Indra’s favor, rich in ghee, his bounty a thousandfold. Indra was invoked to crush the mighty and the oppressor, to confound the enemy. Against the swelling Vṛtra, Indra struck down the footless one with his might. With his songs, Indra established the vast earth as a dwelling place. The bull propped up the sky and the midspace; at his command, the waters flowed forth. Valā, the pen of cows, was not to be crossed, but before the slayer, Valā withdrew in fear. Indra made smooth paths, released the cows, and the singers praised him. Alone, Indra filled both the rich earth and the sky, spreading them out. From the midspace, he brought wealth, yoked chariots, and prizes. The sun did not violate the appointed directions; day by day, the bay steeds were harnessed. When they joined on the path, with the horses, Indra released what was his. Longing for the dawns, at night’s coming, all beheld the radiant one, seeing the great, wondrous face of Indra. By his greatness, all knew of his many good deeds. A great light was placed in the breasts; the cow, bearing the ripe, moved forth. All sweet nourishment was gathered in the dusky one, when Indra placed the sap for food. “Indra, make the strongholds firm; provide for the sacrifice, for the one who praises, for the friends. Let the ill-minded, evil mortals, the armed enemies, be slain, O slayer of foes.” The sound resounded as if from enemies; Indra was asked to strike down the devouring, burning one, to split the foe below and destroy the demon. “Uproot the demon with its roots, Indra; cut through the fresh center, listen closely. You have made the lurking one flee, O enemy of the brahman, burning with the weapon’s heat.” For well-being and with swift steeds, Indra was asked to lead the people forth, as he had blessed them in ancient times. “May we receive great wealth; let Indra grant us fortune and offspring. Bring us radiant fortune, Indra; we strive for your generous favor. Like a broad field, let our desire expand; fulfill it, Lord of Wealth, with riches among the wealthy.” “Grant our desire with cows and horses, with shining gifts, and spread it wide. The wise Kuśikas, with their thoughts, have made offerings to you, Indra, bearer of the sacred. Break open the enclosures for us, Lord of Cattle, let the cows and prizes come to us. You are the bull, true in strength, dwelling in heaven; grant us, Maghavan, knowledge of the cows.” Thus, in contest and in need, they called upon Maghavan Indra, foremost among men, winner of prizes, fierce in battle, slayer of foes, conqueror of wealth. In the sacred order, Agni commanded the offspring of the daughter, honoring the light of truth. Where the father cleansed the daughter’s stream, he established it with a strong mind. He did not divide the inheritance for the wife, but made the embryo, the treasure of the giver. When the mothers gave birth to the fire, one became the maker of good, another the kindler. Agni was born, shining with the ladle, son of greatness, visible to the red one. The great embryo, born of the mighty, grew vast through the sacrifices of the swift horse. The victorious approached the contest, bringing forth great light to dispel darkness. The dawns, recognizing him, advanced to meet him; Indra became the sole lord of the cows. With firm resolve, the wise pressed onward; seven sages guided with their minds. They found all paths of truth and, knowing, entered with reverence.