In a time of solemn invocation, the sages called upon the powers of the cosmos for protection and elevation. They prayed that the iron, wooden, and piercing bonds, along with all those named and the thousand deaths, be overcome. With deep reverence, they beseeched Yama, the lord of the departed, together with the ancestors, to raise the afflicted soul to the highest heaven. At the sacred fire, they honored Agni, the youthful and mighty one, who is kindled among all peoples and shines at the place of offering. Agni, they implored, bring us wealth, for you are the bearer of prosperity. The sages then turned their attention to unity, urging all to come together, to speak together, and to unite their minds. Just as the gods of old, sharing a single purpose, worshipped their allotted share, so too should the people be united. They prayed for united intention, assembly, and thought, offering their oblation as one, seeking the joining of minds and hearts, so that harmony may prevail and all may live well together. They called for anger and hostility to be cast down, for arms yoked with the mind to be lowered, and for the strength of adversaries to be crushed. May wealth come to those who seek peace. From the hands of foes, the sages cut away the weapons, rendered powerless by the gods. With their offering, they severed the arms of enemies, recalling how Indra first made the weapons of the Asuras powerless. May steadfast Indra support the allies, so that victory is theirs. Let the enemy, whose hands are now powerless, approach and be subdued, even those who come with armies for battle. Indra, they prayed, deliver them to a great slaughter and strike down those who do evil. Those who stretch, advance, shoot, or run—may they be rendered powerless, and may Indra drive them away this day. Let their limbs wither, and may Indra scatter their knowledge in hundreds, leaving them defeated. Indra and Pūṣan have traversed all paths, and today, let the armies of the enemies become confused and wander far away. Let them, bewildered, move like headless horses, and among the confused, may Agni and Indra strike them down, one by one. The sages bound the bull’s hide upon the enemies, making them fearful like deer, so that the foe turns away and the cow, symbol of prosperity, approaches. Then, they called upon Savitṛ, asking him to come with the razor, with heat, wind, and water. May the Ādityas, Rudras, and Vasus, mindful and wise, shave for King Soma. Let Aditi shave the beard, and the waters grant brilliance. May Prajāpati heal for long life and clear vision. With the razor that Savitṛ uses, knowing Soma and Varuṇa, let the Brāhmaṇa shave this one, so that he may be rich in cows, horses, and offspring. The sages sought fame wherever it dwells—in golden mountains, in cows, horses, flowing surā, and the honey of fermenting drink. Let that fame be in me, they prayed. O Aśvins, anoint me with essence and honey, O lords of beauty, so that I may speak radiant words among people. Let brilliance, fame, and the essence of sacrifice be established in me by Prajāpati, as the sky is fixed in heaven. They invoked the mysterious union of minds, likening it to the way meat, surā, dice, and a man’s virility are absorbed in a woman, so let the mind of the cow be absorbed in the calf. Just as the elephant joins its foot to the elephantess, and as yoke and harness are joined, so let the cow’s mind be joined to the calf. For all the offerings they received—food of many kinds, gold, horses, cows, goats—they prayed to Agni that the offering priest make it well-offered. Whatever has come, given by ancestors or approved by men, let it be well-offered, for their mind shines forth. By the greatness of Vaiśvānara, may nourishing, sweet food be auspicious. They invoked healing, calling upon the black one who spreads hair, the magician Asura, to make the limb whole with the limb. As skin grows thick by the wind, and as much as skin grows from another, so may your skin grow anew. Let it grow as much as the skin of the limb, the elephant, the donkey, the horse, and the steed. Varuṇa, Soma, Agni, Bṛhaspati, and the Vasus were called to bring prosperity, with all kin united in mind. Whatever strength and intention dwell in your hearts and minds, the sages appeased with offerings and ghee, seeking delight in kinship. Remain here, do not depart. Let Pūṣan make a path beyond, and the lord of the dwelling call you after. May kinship delight in me. May bodies, minds, and vows unite, and may Bhaga, the Lord of Speech, unite all together. Let there be agreement among minds and hearts; and whatever in Bhaga is weary, by that, let agreement be restored. Just as the Adityas, mighty with the Vasus and fierce Maruts, were not divided, so may these people remain undivided, of one mind. The sages prayed to drive away rivals from their dwelling, using the offering of non-obstruction. Indra, may the rival depart far away. Let Indra, the slayer of Vritra, send him to the farthest distance, from where he does not return for endless ages. Let him go to three distant places, among five peoples, beyond three regions of light, never to return as long as the sun exists in the sky. Those who surround and oppose, let the kindled Agni enter their hearts with his tongues. The sages took hold of the place of Agni’s burning for long life, seeing his smoke rise from the mouth, a sign to the observer. Thus, through prayer, unity, offering, and invocation, the sages sought protection, prosperity, healing, and harmony, calling upon the gods and cosmic forces to bless their people and their land.