With deep reverence, homage is offered to Yama, the lord of the departed, to Death itself, to the revered ancestors, and to the wise guides who lead souls. Among them is Agni, the knower of the passage between worlds, whom I place before us as a shield, guarding us from harm. Let the breath of life return, let the mind awaken, let vision and strength flow back; may the body draw together in wholeness, and may the person stand firm and steady upon his feet. O Agni, with breath and with sight, restore him; revive his body, grant him strength anew. You know the way to immortality—let him not depart, let him not become one who dwells in the earth. Let not your breath slip away, nor your vital airs be drawn downward; may the Sun, sovereign over death, lift you up with his radiant rays. The tongue within, though bound and pressed by affliction, now speaks—by its power, I have spoken away disease, banishing a hundred growths and fevers. This world is most dear to the gods, unconquered and sacred; for this world, O mortal, you were destined, though death awaits. Yet, we call you back—do not perish before your time, do not leave before old age. If any spell was cast upon you—hidden in uncooked food, in mixed grain, or in raw flesh; if any witchcraft was performed against you, I now take it back. If harm was worked through a rooster, a goat, a dog, or a lifeless thing, I reclaim it. Whatever harmful act was done among the animals, at the wheel, or with the donkey, I take it back. If any ill was wrought at the root, at the yoke, or in the ploughing; if harm was done in the field, I take it back. Whatever was done at the household fire, the eastern fire, or with evil intention in the hall, I reclaim it. If any harm was done in the assembly, in the place of the gods, or through the dice, I take it back. If harm was done in the army, with bow and arrow, or with the drum, I take it back. If any harmful act was hidden in a well, buried in the cremation ground, or performed within the house, I reclaim it. If harm was done at the threshold, in the fire, or in the pit—any burning, consuming, or devouring act—I take it back. Whatever was taken from you by unlawful means, I drive it away from the taker; from the weak and from those who trespass, I reclaim it with all its guilt. Whoever tried but could not succeed, who injured your foot or toe—he has done us good, and the shareless one has benefited those with a share. May Indra strike down, with great destruction, the one who performed these harmful acts—let him be bound, rooted, and held by oath; may Agni pierce him with his weapon. Now, let us sing the evening song, the great song that brings forth radiance. O Atharvan, let us praise the god Savitar, the youthful son within the river, ever truthful and gracious, whose speech never deceives. May Savitar grant us abundant immortality; let our praises guide us to the good path. O priests, press Soma for Indra—make haste! Let the voice of praise be heard, and grant me your favor. The sweet drops flow to him like birds flocking to a tree; O wide-seeing one, drive away all hostilities and demons. Press Soma for Indra, the drinker of Soma, the youthful, victorious lord, wielder of the bolt, much praised among gods. May Indra, Pūṣan, and Aditi protect us; may the Maruts and the seven rivers, offspring of the waters, shield us; may Viṣṇu and the sky above also be our guardians. May Heaven and Earth protect us for prosperity; may the sacred stone and Soma defend us from harm. May the gracious goddess Sarasvatī, Agni, and his auspicious guardians keep us safe. May the divine Aśvins, lords of beauty, protect us; may Dawn and Night grant us wide space. O child of the Waters, O supporter, O Tvaṣṭṛ, lengthen our life and grant us all attainments. O Tvaṣṭṛ, endow me with divine speech; Parjanya and Bṛhaspati too. May Aditi, with her sons and brothers, protect us; may the mighty one save us from what is hard to cross. May Aṃśa, Bhaga, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, Aditi, and the Maruts protect us. May all hatred and enmity depart; O supporter, drive away all ill will. With wisdom, may the Aśvins guide us, granting us wide, unimpeded space. O Heaven and Earth, drive the evil one far from us. Lead this one upward, O Agni, with offerings of ghee. Endow him with radiance, make him fruitful in offspring. O Indra, make him foremost among his kin, lord among his companions; unite him with wealth and nourishment, and lead him to long life and old age. For whom we offer at home, O Agni, you increase him; for him, Soma and Bṛhaspati speak blessings. O Bṛhaspati, if any who is not a god opposes us, strike him down for my sacrificing worshipper. O Soma, if any speak ill of us or curse us, strike his mouth with the thunderbolt; let him, crushed, depart. Whoever attacks us, whether near or far, O Soma, remove his strength as the vast sky overpowers all. By the path of Aditi, Soma, and Mitra, pure and guileless, come to us with your favor. By which, O Soma, you struck down the Asuras and defeated them, by that power, speak in our favor. By the strength by which you gods overcame the Asuras, grant us your protection. As the creeper embraces the tree all around, so may you embrace me. As women desiring me, as my mind never departs from me, so may your favor cling to me always.