In the sacred verses of the Atharva Veda, a yearning voice rises—a prayer for freedom from debt, not only in this world but in all realms: here, elsewhere, and even in the third world. The supplicant wishes to walk, unburdened, through all paths in the worlds of gods and ancestors. They confess their faults, acknowledging the sins committed by their hands, especially in pursuit of luck through dice. For these transgressions, they call upon the fierce Apsaras and Ugrajita, beseeching them to release all debts incurred. The Apsaras, rulers of their domain, are entreated to forgive the sins born of gambling, ensuring that neither debt nor debtor remains bound in Yama’s realm. The prayer continues, seeking favor from those whom the speaker owes: from whom they have borrowed, whose wife they have approached, to whom they have pleaded. May the gods grant kind words, and may the Apsaras, divine consorts, approve their actions. Acknowledging debts from gambling and eating, the devotee turns to Agni, invoking Vaiśvānara, the lord, to guide them to the world of the righteous. To Vaiśvānara, all debts among the gods are declared, trusting him to loosen all bonds and unite the sacrificer with the sacred offering. Vaiśvānara, the purifier, is asked to cleanse the supplicant as they face their struggles. Any offense committed unknowingly, any request made in ignorance, is offered for expiation. The prayer expands, asking the Gārhapatya fire to lead them away from harm done to midspace, earth, sky, or to mother and father—guiding them to the righteous world. Earth is invoked as mother, Aditi as birth-giver, midspace as brother, and heaven as father. May no curse befall them; may the ancestral portion be auspicious, and having conquered death, may they remain steadfast in the world. They envision a heaven where friends of good heart and righteous deeds rejoice, freed from disease and harm, surrounded by parents and children, all uninjured and whole. Varuṇa’s fetters, upper and lower, are prayed to be loosened, evil dreams and misfortune driven away, so the righteous world may be attained. All bindings—whether to wood, rope, earth, or words—are offered to the Gārhapatya fire for release. The blessed one rises in the assembly, bearing the name of deliverer, and the giver of immortality is asked to send forth liberation. The bonds are to be broken, paths opened, the bound one freed. Just as an embryo slips from the womb, so may the devotee pass along all paths. A share is dedicated to wise Viśvakarman, first-born of truth, with hope to cross over the unbroken thread beyond old age. Some cross over the stretched thread, having received ancestral gifts; others, unbound, give and bestow. Whoever desires to give is wished the attainment of heaven. Let all strive, let the faithful join with this world; whatever is cooked and offered in the fire, may the couple take refuge together for its protection. With austerity and united mind, the speaker ascends to the great sacrifice, calling Agni forth, hoping to rejoice in the third heaven at the shared feast. Pure, purified, worthy women are seated separately in the hands of the priests. As they are anointed for their desire, Indra with the Maruts is invoked to grant their wishes. A seat is given to the assembled ones, brought by Jātavedas as a treasure. May the sacrificer follow with well-being, known in the highest heaven. The gods assembled are asked to recognize the sacrificer, so that his rites and gifts may be fulfilled for him. The gods are ancestors, and the ancestors are gods; the speaker affirms their own identity. They cook, give, sacrifice, and offer what is given, asking not to be rejected. The king is invoked to stand firm in heaven, to know fulfillment, and to be gracious as a god. From the great sky and midspace, a small drop of water falls upon the devotee. With full strength and essence, Agni sustains them through sacred chants, sacrifices, and righteous deeds. If the water has come from a tree, it is its fruit; if from the midspace, it is the wind. Wherever it touches, may the waters drive away misfortune. Anointment, fragrance, prosperity, gold, and brilliance are wished for, along with a worthy son. All purifying things are desired to be spread over the devotee, keeping misfortune, distress, and enmity at bay. The prayer turns to the tree, wishing it to become strong of limb, a heroic friend and crossing, bound with cows and strengthened, standing firm with victorious victories. From heaven and earth, raised up, from trees gathered with strength, covered with vigor of waters and cows, Indra’s thunderbolt and the chariot are offered with oblation. Indra’s strength, the Maruts’ host, Mitra’s embryo, Varuna’s navel—all are invoked to accept the offering and bring the chariot, grasping the gifts. The earth and sky are called to breathe forth, with the drum’s power established in many places. Together with Indra and the gods, enemies are driven far away. The drum’s sound resounds, strength and power are summoned, misfortunes attacked and driven away. The drum, Indra’s fist, is strengthened, and the prayer is for victory: let the mighty conquer, let the drum resound with banners, let men with horses and chariots fly forth, and may Indra grant victory to the charioteers. The swelling, red, bloody plant and the spreading herb are addressed, even the flesh removed. The two swellings of balāsa, hidden in armpit and groin, are known and the healing cīpudru, the all-seeing, is called upon. Whatever affliction is in limb, ear, or eyes is driven out—the spreading, swelling, and heart disease, along with the downward-moving yaksma, are sent away. The stars made Śakadhūma their king, and prosperity is sent to him so his kingdom may be secure. Prosperity is wished for at midday, evening, morning, and night. From day and night, stars, sun, and moon, prosperity is sought from King Śakadhūma. To him who brings prosperity at any time, homage is always given to the king of the stars. Thus, through these prayers and invocations, the devotee seeks release from all bonds, healing from all afflictions, blessings of prosperity, and eternal well-being in the worlds of gods and ancestors.