To whom does the narrator of the first hymn pray?

The narrator of the first hymn prays to Agni as the God of Sacrifice. In Vedic literature, Agni holds a central role as the deity who represents fire and is associated with sacrificial rituals. He is seen as a mediator between humans and the divine, facilitating the transmission of offerings made in sacrifices to the gods.

The significance of Agni as the God of Sacrifice lies in how fire is used in rituals; it is considered a purifying agent and a medium for communication with the divine. By invoking Agni in the context of sacrifice, the narrator acknowledges his vital importance in maintaining cosmic order and honoring the deities through ritualistic offerings. This focus on sacrifice emphasizes the role of Agni in Vedic traditions as a crucial force within the spiritual and communal practices of the people.

Other attributes like creation, wisdom, or fertility, while they may embody other aspects of different deities or interpretations, do not capture Agni’s primary role in these hymns, which centers specifically on sacrifice and ritual worship.