In ancient times, the earth itself trembled ninety times nine, shaken to its very core. This upheaval was not without cause: those who had committed the grievous sin of harming the offspring of the Brahman met with utter ruin. The gods, in their wisdom, decreed fitting retributions for such transgressors. That clod of earth placed at the feet of the dead—what is tied to the foot of the departed—became the bedding for the slayer of the Brahman, as declared by the gods themselves. The tears that flow from the compassionate and from those who are conquered were assigned to the slayer as his share of the waters. The water used to bathe the dead and moisten their beard was also allotted to him, marking his isolation from the sacred and the pure. The Maitrāvaruṇa rains, so vital for life, would not fall upon the slayer of the Brahman. He would find no place in assemblies, nor would any friend come under his sway. Such was the divine judgment upon the one who committed this most terrible deed. Amidst these decrees, the drum resounded—a mighty instrument, crafted from wood and infused with the strength of cows. Its booming voice shattered the enemy’s speech and subdued rivals, roaring like a lion to conquer adversaries. Like a lion standing firm, bound with straps and roaring, or a bull scenting a cow, the drum was called upon to subdue rivals and overcome foes with Indra-given power. The victorious drum, like a bull in the herd, broke through with force, seeking out its own, roaring aloud with brightness that pierced the hearts of others. Enemies, cast out from the villages, departed before its sound. The drum roused the army, grasped long life, and looked in all directions, uttering divine speech and bringing forth knowledge of the enemies with wisdom. Its speech, uttered with intent, was heard and recognized by its distinctive sound. Let the enemy’s wife, holding her child by the hand, flee in terror from slaughter, frightened in battle. First, the drum spoke out upon the earth’s surface, shining forth, announcing the enemy’s army with radiant and glorious words. Let the drum’s sound echo between earth and sky, its thunderous roar making fame, forging friendship with the trumpet, and bringing glory to heaven. Made by skill, the drum uttered speech, arousing the weapons of the strong. It called upon Indra and summoned friends, driving away the unfriendly. Resounding together, the drum and its companions boldly announced and made known the herald of the village, seeking the better, knowing the paths, and bringing forth fame from many, O two-kings. The drum possessed auspicious insight, victorious in wealth, mighty in strength, conqueror in battle, and firm in sacred knowledge. Just as the mountain presses out the Soma drops with the stone, so did the drum resound with knowledge upon the battlefield. Destroyer of enemies, breaker of hostile might, seeker of cattle, enduring and rising—like speech bringing forth a mantra, the drum raised its voice for victory in battle. Unshaken and unshakable, full of energy, swift, conqueror of foes, leader in battle, ready for war—protected by Indra, skilled in assemblies, shining in heart, it went forth to the destruction of enemies and victory. With the drum, heartache, confusion, and enmity among enemies were driven away. Hatred, trembling, and fear were laid down among foes. The drum struck them down. Enemies, trembling in mind, sight, and heart, fled in fear, running when the clarified butter was poured in sacrifice. The drum, gathered from the forest with red cows, belonging to all clans, when struck with clarified butter, drove terror into the enemies. Just as wild animals scatter from a man in the forest, so did the drum cry out against the enemies, driving them away and confounding their minds. Just as sheep flee from a wolf, trembling greatly, so did the drum confound and drive away the enemies. Just as birds scatter from a hawk, or flee at the lion’s roar in broad daylight, so did the drum cry out, scattering and confounding foes. Let the drum and the skin of the deer drive away enemies, for even the gods standing on the side of battle are terrified. By the sounds of feet and shadows, which delight Indra, let the enemies be terrified—those who come in hostile ranks. Let the twang of the bowstring and the drums resound in all directions, defeating and scattering the armies of the enemies. O Sun, grant sight; let your rays pursue them. Let their companions be scattered when their strength in arms is gone. The fierce Maruts, children of Prisni, together with Indra, strike down the enemies. Soma the king, Varuna the king, Mahadeva, and Death—all are Indra. These divine armies, banners of the Sun, conscious and aware, conquer our enemies. Svaha! Turning to another concern, may Agni drive away fever from here; may Soma, the stone, and Varuna of pure skill, along with the altar, the sacred grass, and the shining kindling, remove all hatred far away. This fever, which makes all things green, burning and consuming like Agni, let it be powerless, let it be low, let it descend or depart elsewhere. The fever, harsh and of harsh origin, destructive like a red one, running everywhere, was to be driven away and cast down below. With reverence, it was sent downward to the craftsman; let the fist of Śakambhara return again to the great bulls. Its abode is among the Mūjavas, among the great bulls; as long as Takman is born, so long it dwells among the Balhikas. Takman, snake, poison, lameness—let these be driven away from the multitude. Seek the slave woman who is afflicted, deliver her with the thunderbolt. Takman, go to the Mūjavas or beyond to the Balhikas; seek the Śūdra woman who is swollen, shake out Takman from her. The great bulls of the Mūjavas are kin, having gone away. These words are spoken to Takman, or to other fields. Takman does not delight in another field, being obedient, nor does he show mercy to us. Takman has become desired; he will go to the Balhikas. If you are cold or trembling, together with cough and shivering, your terrible causes, Takman, with those, surround us. But do not make these companions—fever, cough, agitation—nor again bring Takman near with your forces. Thus, through divine decree, the earth, the drum, and the gods themselves worked to drive away evil, terror, and illness, restoring harmony and victory to the righteous.