In the ancient days, when the earth was invoked for its enduring strength, it stood unharmed by heat or cold. The wise called for the earth to be opened, long-lived and fertile, where even the waters flowed as ghee, and Soma found its seat—a place of well-being and abundance. Prajāpati, the creator, generated offspring, and the people prayed for Dhātṛ, the supporter, to grant them his favor. Those united in mind and birth sought the lord of nourishment to bestow abundance upon them. As the sacred sacrifice was prepared, Anumati was invoked, the goddess whose approval was sought among the gods. May she, without reproach, grant her blessing for the ritual, and may Agni, the bearer of offerings, be present for the worshipper. With reverence, the people asked Anumati to accept the oblation, to be gracious, and to grant them offspring. They prayed for her approving gaze, desiring abundant and unfailing wealth, hoping never to fall into her displeasure but to remain in her good favor. Anumati, whose name is well-invoked and whose guidance is generous, was called to protect the sacrifice, to bestow wealth and heroic sons upon the fortunate. Anumati arrived at the sacrifice for the sake of good fields, heroism, and noble birth. Her favor was truly auspicious, and the gods, as guardians, were asked to protect the offering. She became all that exists—whatever stands, moves, or stirs in the universe. The people sought her grace, knowing her kindness. All the people gathered with speech, turning to the lord of heaven, the manifold guest of men, ancient and ever-new. He, the path-maker, called forth and turned toward the one man. Their vision was a thousandfold, the thought of the wise shining as light in the order. The bright ones brought together the dawns in harmony; the sinless and mindful gathered the most wrathful powers of the cow in their own place. Evil dreams, misfortune, demons, hostility, and all ill-named and evil words were driven away. They prayed for what Indra, Agni, all the gods, the Maruts, and the radiant ones had not broken, asking Savitar of true order, Prajapati, and Anumati to grant those blessings. Vishnu and Varuna, mighty and heroic, who supported the regions and ruled with unconquered powers, were invoked with ancient prayers. By their command and radiance, all was established; Vishnu and Varuna advanced and beheld with their powers, upholding the law of the gods. The heroic deeds of Vishnu were proclaimed—he who measured the earthly regions, propped up the upper seat, and traversed the world in three wide strides. Vishnu’s deeds were sung, like a mighty wild beast roaming the mountains, reaching distant realms beyond. In his three strides, all worlds abide; the people prayed for Vishnu to stride widely for them, granting a broad dwelling and accepting ghee, moving toward the lord of the sacrifice. Vishnu’s three steps were placed, his path hidden in the dust. As guardian and upholder of law, his steps were unassailable. His deeds were beheld, from whom sacred vows arose, and he was the fitting companion of Indra. The wise always gazed upon Vishnu’s highest abode, as if an eye extended in the sky. From heaven, earth, or the vast midspace, the people called to Vishnu to fill their hands with riches, granting from both right and left. They declared the Veda, the destroyer, the axe, and the altar as auspicious, praying that the gods who desire sacrifice and are invoked with offerings be pleased. Agni and Vishnu, with their greatness, were invoked—the path of ghee, their secret name, bearing seven treasures. Their tongues moved with ghee for the benefit of the people. Their dwelling was great and dear; they delighted in secret ghee and grew through praise, their tongues uttering ghee for the people’s well-being. Heaven and earth, Mitra, Brahmanaspati, and Savitar made the people well-prepared. Indra was called to invigorate them with abundant and best powers, to defeat those who hated them and to remove life from those they hated. They approached the beloved youth, grown through invocation, bearing reverence and seeking long life. The Maruts, Pūṣan, Bṛhaspati, and Agni were invoked to unite them with offspring and wealth, granting long life. Agni was asked to drive away rivals and those who had arisen against them, making their place below and rendering them harmless, so that the people belonged to Aditi. Rivals were to be overcome with force, their hundred veins and thousand channels blocked with stone, their lower origin made distant, and their fruitfulness denied, as a stone covering was made for them. May their eyes be like honey, their faces adorned, joined within each other's hearts, minds united with strength. One was placed with human birth and with a garment, claimed to be theirs alone, not belonging to others nor to their praise. A healing herb was dug, a remedy for sight and delight, for the return of one gone away and the welcome of one who has come. With the binding power used by the Asuri to separate Indra from the gods, one was bound to become most dear. They were receptive to Soma, to the Sun, to all the gods, and addressed their words accordingly. In the assembly, the speaker claimed the right to speak, not another, and declared the praise as theirs alone, not belonging to others nor to their songs. Thus, with reverence, invocation, and sacred offerings, the people sought the favor of the gods, the protection of the earth, abundance, unity, and the fulfillment of their desires, all under the watchful gaze of the divine powers.