In the sacred space of ritual, a heartfelt invocation is made for unity and blessing. The meters and the Maruts are called to join together, binding the participants to the offering as intimately as a mother cherishes her child. Aditi herself, with careful sprinklings upon the sacred grass, ensures this union with the sacrificial act. Viṣṇu is invoked to infuse the ritual with manifold forms of heat, guiding the offering with auspicious harnessing. Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine craftsman, is asked to unite the participants with his many forms, securing the offering with skillful harnessing. Bhaga, the bestower of fortune, is called to bring blessings, linking the ritual to prosperity and the offering. Soma, the nourishing god, and Indra, the mighty, are both entreated to unite the sacrifice with abundant nourishment and good harnessing. The Aśvins, twin gods of healing, are summoned to come with the Brahman, increasing the sacrifice with the vaṣaṭ-call. Bṛhaspati, the divine priest, is similarly invited, for this sacrifice is dedicated to the sun-realm and the sacrificer, with the offering. Within the ritual, the kindling sticks stand upright, their flames bright and radiant, embodying Agni, the protector with many hands, beautiful and fruitful. Among the gods, Agni prepares the paths, spreading honey and clarified butter, marking the sacrifice with sweetness. Savitṛ, the wish-granting deity, leads the rite with all-encompassing benevolence. The desired fire, Agni, arrives with might and reverence, accompanied by clarified butter. The ladles used in the sacrifice are visible, signifying Agni’s greatness as the worshipper. Among the Vasus, the swift and delightful ones stand alongside the earth-givers. All the gods, upholding the sacred order, stand at the divine doors of the householder. With Agni’s wide-ranging radiance, and as she is praised, the awakening dawns and the priests are called to protect the sacrifice, as guardians watch over a ritual. The divine priests are asked to raise the sacrifice upward, and Agni’s tongue is invoked to praise the sacrificers for their well-being. The three goddesses—Idā, Sarasvatī, and mighty Bhāratī—are invited to sit on the sacred grass, honored in song. The hope is for wondrous and abundant blessings, for Tvaṣṭṛ to distribute wealth and prosperity to all gathered. The Lord of the Forest is asked to release what he holds, so that Agni, appeased, may carry the offering to the gods with his own power. Agni, Jātavedas, is called to perform with svāhā, and Indra, along with all the gods, is asked to accept the oblation of the sacrifice. In the ritual of life, nine vital breaths are measured out, each for long life and a hundred autumns. Three breaths are green, three silver, three iron, and three are established by austerity. The elements—Agni, Sūrya, Candra, Earth, Waters, Sky, Atmosphere, the intermediate directions, and the quarters—along with the seasons, united with their periods, are invoked to carry the sacrificer across with this triple measure. Three forms of nourishment, in triple measure, are called to reside in the ritual space. Pūṣan is asked to bring milk and ghee, and abundance of food, people, and cattle is desired to abide there. The Ādityas are invited to anoint the sacrificer with wealth, Agni to foster growth, Indra to grant strength, and the triple measure of nourishment to settle within. The green one of the earth is asked to protect, and Agni, bearer of all, to support with iron. The herbs, united with silver, are invoked to grant skill and a cheerful mind. Gold, born in three ways, is recognized as offspring: one part Agni’s dearest, one part Soma’s, and one part the seed of the Waters—this triple gold is for life. The triple lifespan of Jamadagni and Kaśyapa, and the threefold vision of immortality, are bestowed, creating three lifespans for the sacrificer. Three shining ones, in triple form, when united as one syllable, became mighty, driving away death with immortality and concealing themselves to remove all evils. The green one of the sky is invoked for protection from above, the silver one from the middle, and the iron one of the earth from below—this is the ancient protection of the gods. These three ancient protections are asked to guard on all sides, so that, bearing them, the sacrificer may shine and stand superior to foes. The immortal, golden city of the gods, which the first god pierced at the beginning, is honored with ten eastward salutations, seeking approval for piercing the triple protection. Aryaman, Pūṣan, and Bṛhaspati are entreated to come with favor, and by the name of the one born today, the sacrificer is favored by them. With the seasons and their proper times, for long life and radiance, and the energy of the year, the sacrificer is strengthened. Smeared with ghee and honey, firm in the earth, unshaken and able to carry, breaking rivals and humbling them, the offering is asked to remain for great good fortune. Harnessed at the front, Agni Jātavedas is called to carry forth, knowing what is done. As healer and maker of remedies, Agni is invoked to grant cattle, horses, and people. Agni Jātavedas, united with all the gods, is asked to ensure that whoever has harmed or attacked the sacrificer may circle outside the boundary. Just as the harmful ones circle outside, Agni is asked to unite with all the gods and do the same. Agni is entreated to pierce the eyes and heart, bind the tongue, and break the teeth of the flesh-eating demon who has attacked, destroying him. Whatever has been taken, carried off, stolen, or eaten by demons, Agni is asked to bring back, restoring flesh to the body. Whether raw, well-cooked, spotted, or overcooked, whatever flesh-eating demon has devoured, may those demons depart with their offspring and kin, and may the one afflicted be free from disease. Thus, through these sacred invocations, the ritual unfolds—a tapestry of divine unity, protection, nourishment, and healing, woven by the gods and the sacrificer together in reverent harmony.