Let the tale begin in a time of conflict, when enemies gathered with ill intent. The people, seeking protection, called upon mighty Indra: “Let our foes be rendered powerless, O Indra. Wither their limbs and scatter their knowledge in hundreds, so they cannot rise against us.” Indra and Pūṣan, traversing all the pathways, heard this plea. On that day, they caused the armies of the enemies to become confused, making them stray far from the people they sought to harm. Those adversaries, bewildered and lost, wandered like headless horses. In their confusion, Agni and Indra struck them down, one by one, ensuring safety for the faithful. To deepen the fear in the hearts of their enemies, the people bound bull’s hide upon them, making them as timid as deer, so that the foe turned away, and the gentle, nourishing cow approached the people instead. As peace returned, the sacred rites continued. They called upon Savitṛ, asking him to come with his razor, with heat, wind, and water, and with the company of the Ādityas, Rudras, and Vasus. These mindful deities, along with the wise ones, were asked to perform the sacred shaving for King Soma. Aditi herself was invoked to shave the beard, while the waters were asked to grant brilliance, and Prajāpati to heal and bestow long life and clear vision. The razor of Savitṛ, known to Soma and Varuṇa, was the tool by which the Brāhmaṇa performed the rite, so that the one being purified would become rich in cows, horses, and abundant offspring. Desiring greatness, the people prayed, “May whatever fame lies in the golden mountains, in cows, horses, flowing surā, and the honey of the fermenting drink, be found in me.” They called upon the Aśvins, lords of beauty, to anoint them with essence and honey, so that they might utter radiant speech among people. They sought brilliance, fame, and the very essence of sacrifice to be established within them by Prajāpati, as firmly as the sky is set in heaven. Turning to the bonds of love and nature, they spoke to the cow, “Just as meat, surā, dice, and a man’s virility are lost in a woman, so let your mind, O cow, be lost in your calf.” They compared the cow’s devotion to the elephant joining its mate, to the yoke and harness joined together, always wishing that the cow’s heart would remain with her calf. In gratitude for abundance, they offered prayers to Agni: “Whatever food I eat, in many forms—gold, horses, cows, goats—whatever I accept, let the offering priest make it well-offered.” Whether the gifts came from ancestors, were offered or unoffered, given or not given by the gods, all was gathered in Agni’s presence, so that by the greatness of Vaiśvānara, the nourishing, sweet food would be auspicious. They observed the mysteries of healing and wholeness: “Just as the black one spreads hair, shaping forms by Asura’s magic, so let your fetter, O powerful one, make the limb whole again.” They invoked the thickening of skin by the wind, the growth of skin from another, and wished for the body’s renewal, as much as the skin of an elephant, donkey, or horse. For prosperity, they called upon Varuṇa, Soma, Agni, Bṛhaspati, and the Vasus, and all the kin of the fierce lord, asking them to unite in mind and bring prosperity near. Whatever strength and intention resided in their hearts, they appeased with offerings and ghee, seeking the delight of kinship. They prayed that their kin remain, not depart, and asked Pūṣan to open paths for them, so that the lord of the dwelling might call them, and their kinship would always delight in the people. They yearned for unity, praying, “May your bodies, minds, and vows unite; may Bhaga, Lord of Speech, bind you all together.” They wished for agreement in minds and hearts, and even if Bhaga grew weary, they called upon his power to bring harmony. Just as the Adityas, Vasus, and Maruts remained undivided, so too did they wish for their own people to be of one mind. To ward off rivals, they invoked Indra: “Drive away the rival from your dwelling, O Indra, let him depart far away with the offering of non-obstruction.” Let Indra, slayer of Vritra, cast him to the farthest distance, from which he shall never return, for as long as the sun shines in the sky. Let the rival go to three distant places, among five peoples, beyond three regions of light, never to return for countless ages. Those who surrounded and opposed them were met by Agni, whose kindled tongues entered their hearts. The people grasped the place of Agni’s burning for long life, recognizing the one whose smoke rises from his mouth. They knew that he who understands the kindling of this fire, established with the Kshatriya, and who does not set its place at the navel, is destined for death. But those who move around do not harm the one who knows Agni, nor does he fall into misfortune; the Kshatriya who knows and invokes Agni’s name gains long life. The tale continued with the establishment of order: He stood upon the sky, upon the earth, upon the whole world; the mountains stood firm, and the horses were set in their places. They called upon the one who knows the upward path, the departure, the return, and the turning back—the true protector. “O Jatavedas, turn back; may a hundred return to you, may a thousand return to you; by these, restore us again.” With renewed abundance, they prayed, “With that being, with that offering, may you be filled again; may the wife we have brought home be increased with essence.” They wished for her to grow with nourishment and prosperity, for both husband and wife to be endowed with wealth and radiance, unharmed and united. Tvashtar, the divine craftsman, created the wife and made the husband; may he grant them a thousand years together and a long life. Finally, they sought protection and harmony in their homes, asking the Lord of the Cloud, the mighty one, to guard them from discord. “You, Lord of the Cloud, sustain our strength and bring us abundance and wealth.” Thus, through prayer, ritual, and the blessings of the gods, the people moved from conflict to harmony, from confusion to unity, from want to abundance, ever guided and protected by the divine powers they invoked.