From distant places, as our ancestors once did, we call upon you, Indra—mighty and discerning, renowned among many yet unique. We invoke your strength, seeking your presence. If any enemy rises against us today with harmful intent, let him not prevail; instead, we surround ourselves with your protective arms, Indra, encircling us on every side. May your shelter keep us safe. Let the savior shield us, and may Savitar and King Soma grant us clarity of mind and well-being. The gods, the sun, the sky, and the earth have all given their gifts. Sarasvati, with her wise mind, bestowed her blessing three times, removing all poison. Whatever water the gods once poured upon the barren desert, let that divine water, born of the gods, purify this poison. O substance, daughter of the Asuras, sister to the gods, born of heaven and earth—you have created both sap and venom. Let life and vigor pour forth, breathing and growing. May the manhood be strengthened and flourish, conquering with vitality as is natural. With that which nourishes the lean and subdues the sick, Brahmanaspati, stretch forth his strength as a bowstring. I draw out this power, steady and ever-advancing, like a red bull that never falters. As horses yoked together move in harmony, so may your mind unite with mine, moving as one. I draw your thoughts to me, as a royal horse is drawn to its yoke; as grass is bound in a bundle, so may your mind be bound to me. With ointment, honey, costus, and spikenard, I seek the favor of Bhaga with both hands. May Bṛhaspati, Savitṛ, Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, and the Aśvins all unite you together. May the highest, lowest, and middlemost be joined; Indra, with his strength, surrounds them, and Agni, unite them for us. Even those who come to battle with their banners raised—let Indra's might encircle them, and Agni, bring them together for us. By taking and binding, we bring our enemies under control; those whose breath and life are departing, let them fall unconscious. This act we perform with austerity and Indra’s approval; Agni, subdue those who stand against us. May Indra, Agni, Soma, and the king of the earth strike down our foes; may Indra, with the Maruts, seize the possessions of our enemies for us. As the mind, swift as thought, travels far with its desires, so may cough and illness depart, following the mind’s path. As a sharp arrow swiftly flies, so may this cough be driven away, following the course of the earth. As the rays of the sun speed forth, so may this ailment vanish, following the flow of the ocean. On your journey and return, may sacred dūrvā grass bloom, and a spring or lotus-filled pond arise. Here, where the waters descend and the ocean rests, and our homes are nestled in the midst of the lake, may the faces of harm turn away from us. With the membrane of frost, we enclose the rice fields, for our land is cold and lakes abound—may Agni prepare the remedy. Harm not the one who conquers and protects all; in her protection, guard every two-footed and four-footed being, and all that is ours. Harm not the victorious protector; in her victory, safeguard all our creatures and possessions. Harm not the one who brings prosperity; in her abundance, protect all that belongs to us. Harm not the all-knowing one who brings prosperity; in her wisdom, guard everything we hold dear. O Medhā, come to us first, bringing cows and horses; you ride with the rays of the sun and are worthy of our sacrifice. We invoke Medhā, inspired by the Brāhmaṇas, praised by seers, honored by students, for the aid of the gods. May the wisdom known by the sages, the gods, and the seers be instilled within us. O Agni, grant us today the wisdom that the wise seers, creators of beings, possess. May we be filled with wisdom in the evening, morning, and midday—with the sun’s rays and with our speech. The long pepper, whose remedy is well-known and divinely arranged, sustains life. These peppers, speaking together, are placed at the origin of birth; whoever partakes of this living remedy does not perish. Though demons once buried it, the gods raised it up again—a cure for ailments born of wind and for all that is cast down. O Agni, you are ancient and cherished in sacrifice, both as the old and new Hotṛ. Preserve your own form and grant us good fortune. Born to destroy the eldest, from the root of Yama’s dispersal, protect this one and lead him past all evils, granting a long life of a hundred autumns. A hero is born under auspicious signs—a strong man; may he never harm his father as he grows, nor his mother who bore him. O Agni, release this man who is bound and muttering with a loosened tongue. Restore him to his right mind and assign him his proper place, so that, freed from madness, he may return to his share in life.