In the realms where the flawless ones dwell, the Gandharva moves among the radiant Apsarases. Their presence is mysterious and swift, for the ocean is said to be their home, a place from which they come and go in the blink of an eye. With the clouds, with the lightning, and with the stars, Viśvāvasu the Gandharva joins their company. To these divine goddesses, reverence is offered, acknowledging their beauty and power. Yet, not all Gandharvas and Apsarases bring delight; some carry with them weariness, darkness, the lure of dice, and confusion of mind. Even to these, reverence is given, recognizing the full spectrum of their influence. Turning to the earth’s gifts, there is a remedy that flows down from the summit of the mountain—a most excellent medicine, ready to be used as needed. Remedies abound: from one limb or another, a hundred in number, yet among them, one stands supreme—unmoving, free from disease. The Asuras, digging deep into the earth, seek a great red substance, a powerful cure for discharges and disease. Leeches, too, draw forth medicine from the ocean, and this, like the red earth, is a remedy that destroys sickness. May the waters and all healing herbs be auspicious for us. Let Indra’s thunderbolt drive away demons, and may arrows, shot from afar, fall upon these evil forces. For long life, greatness, and skill in battle, people wear the Jaṅgiḍa amulet, a powerful charm that wards off poison and corruption. The Jaṅgiḍa protects from jaws, from poison, from distress, and from all forms of harm. It is an amulet of a thousand powers, guarding on every side. This Jaṅgiḍa withstands poison, repels the harmful, and serves as a universal remedy, keeping danger at bay. Given by the gods and full of delight, the Jaṅgiḍa helps withstand poison and demons alike. Whether brought from the forest, the field, or from the juices of plants, both hemp and Jaṅgiḍa offer protection. This amulet wards off witchcraft and hostility, and its power carries the wearer toward a long and healthy life. Now, with devotion, Indra is called forth. “Come, O hero, with your swift bays, and drink the pressed Soma, delighting in its sweetness for the sake of our joy.” Indra is invited to fill himself anew with the honey of heaven, as the exhilarating draughts of Soma are offered with songs of praise. Indra, the mighty friend who slew Vṛtra and broke open Vala, who would not tolerate his enemies, rejoiced in the intoxication of Soma. May the pressed draughts enter him, filling him with strength, and may he hear the prayers and songs, delighting in them as he prepares for the great battle. Let the heroic deeds of Indra be proclaimed: he, the wielder of the bolt, slew the serpent, released the waters, split open strongholds, and shattered mountains. He struck down the serpent lying on the mountain, wielding the thunderbolt fashioned for him by Tvaṣṭṛ. As he did so, the waters, like flowing cows, rushed forth and made their way to the sea. Longing for strength, Indra chose Soma and drank its pressed juice among the Trikadrukas. Then, armed with the thunderbolt, Maghavan slew the firstborn of the earth. May the seasons nurture Agni, may the years and the seers increase his power. Agni is asked to shine forth with celestial radiance, illuminating all four directions. He is called to unite with his worshippers and to rise high for great good fortune. Let none who approach him do harm; may his priests be renowned and honored. Agni, chosen by the priests, is entreated to be gracious and protective, slaying foes and guarding the home with constant vigilance. With his own power, Agni is urged to strive, to act as a true friend, and to shine most brightly among his kin and among kings. He is asked to overcome all obstacles, hidden dangers, and hostile forces, and, together with heroes, to grant abundant wealth. The waters, hated by evil and born of the gods, are invoked to expose all oath-breakers, treating them as filth. Whether the oath is that of a rival, a kinsman, or spoken in anger by a priest, may all falsehood fall beneath the devotee’s feet. The root of heaven and the uppermost of earth, a thousand-branched protector, is invoked to guard on every side—protecting self, offspring, and wealth, so that no enmity or adversary may prevail. Let any curse return to the curser, and may the evil-hearted be exposed and defeated. At dawn, as the star is named, the blessed one is called to rise and release the snares of field-disease, both lowest and highest. Let the night, the dew, and all harmful influences depart, so the field may be freed from disease. Whether in the tawny barley, the white barley stalk, the straw, the sesame, or its husk—let field-disease be destroyed and the land released. Homage is given to the ploughs, the yokes, their harnesses, the gatherers with sickles, the messengers, and the lord of the field—all are honored so that the field-disease may be banished and the field restored. In the forest, ten trees are invoked to release one seized by demons at the joints, and the lord of the forest is asked to lead him back to the world of the living. He has come forth, arisen, and the host of living beings emerges with him. He becomes the father of sons and men, most divine. Having studied and arisen, he enters the city of life, attended by a hundred physicians and a thousand healing herbs. Thus, the divine and earthly powers, the medicines, the amulets, the gods, and the rituals all work together—granting protection, healing, abundance, and life to those who honor them.