In ancient times, the bright ones gathered the dawns in harmony, bringing together the sinless and mindful powers in their own place. They collected even the most wrathful energies of the sacred cow, ensuring balance and peace. As day unfolded, those who sought well-being drove away evil dreams, misfortune, demons, hostility, and all ill-named and harmful words, banishing them from their midst. The people prayed for blessings not yet broken by Indra, Agni, all the gods, the Maruts, and the radiant ones. They called upon Savitar of true order, Prajapati, and Anumati to grant these boons. They revered Vishnu and Varuna, whose power supports the regions, whose heroism and unconquered strength uphold the world, and whose ancient invocation rules with might. By the command and radiance of Vishnu and Varuna, all is established. They advance and behold creation with their powers, maintaining the cosmic law from times immemorial. The deeds of Vishnu are celebrated: he who measured the earthly regions, propped up the upper seat, and traversed the worlds in three wide strides for the wide-goer. Vishnu’s heroic deeds are sung like a mighty wild beast roaming the mountains, reaching distant realms beyond mortal sight. In Vishnu’s three strides, all the worlds abide. The people pray: “Stride widely for us, O Vishnu, grant us a broad dwelling. Drink the ghee, O ghee-born, and go forth to the lord of sacrifice.” Vishnu has indeed stridden, placing his foot three times, his path hidden in the dust. As guardian, unassailable, he upholds the laws from here, his steps maintaining order. His deeds are beheld, from whom sacred vows arise, and he is the fitting companion of Indra. The wise always behold Vishnu’s highest abode, as if an eye is extended in the sky. The people call: “From heaven, O Vishnu, or from earth, from the vastness of the midspace, fill my hands with many riches; grant from the right and also from the left.” All is auspicious—the Veda, the destroyer, the axe, the altar. The axe brings auspiciousness, and the gods who desire sacrifice, invoked with offerings, are pleased. Agni and Vishnu, great in greatness, bear the seven treasures and delight in the secret ghee; their tongues move with ghee for the benefit of all. Their dwelling is dear, growing through praise, and their tongues utter ghee for prosperity. Heaven and earth, Mitra, Brahmanaspati, and Savitar have made the devotee well-prepared for the sacred rites. Indra is invoked for strength: “Invigorate us today with abundant powers, O mighty one; let those who hate us be defeated, and whom we hate, let life depart from them.” The beloved youth, grown through invocation, is approached with reverence, and the devotee asks for long life. The Maruts, Pūṣan, Bṛhaspati, and Agni are called to unite the devotee with offspring, wealth, and longevity. Agni is entreated to drive away rivals, placing them below, rendering adversaries harmless, so that all may belong to Aditi. Rivals are driven away by Jātavedas, their hundred veins and thousand channels blocked with stone. Their lower origin is made distant, rendered fruitless and without offspring, covered by stone. The devotee prays for union: “May our eyes be like honey, our faces adorned; may I be joined within your heart, may our minds be united with strength.” A garment is placed for human birth, claiming the beloved to be theirs alone, not belonging to others or their praise. Remedies and healing herbs are dug for sight and delight, for the return of one gone away, and for the welcome of one who has come. With the binding power that Asuri used to separate Indra from the gods, the devotee binds their beloved to be most dear. The beloved is receptive to Soma, to the Sun, and to all the gods. Words are addressed to them, claiming praise in the assembly, not to be shared with others. Whether the beloved is beyond people or rivers, the plant brings them as if bound. The heavenly eagle, vast with milk, mighty embryo of waters, bull among plants, comes with rain and abundance, establishing wealth in the cattle-pen. All cattle, waters, and nourishment follow the ordinance of Sarasvant, who is called for help. Sarasvant, lord of nourishment, bestower of wealth and fame, is summoned to the seat of riches. The keen-eyed falcon, seeing resting places, crosses deserts and waters, traversing all lower realms, and comes in friendship with Indra, bringing auspiciousness. The celestial falcon, with beautiful wings and born from strength, brings back wealth that was taken away, ensuring ancestors possess their portion with sustenance. Soma and the Rudras are invoked to drive away disease and misfortune from the dwelling, to repel calamity and release from committed sin. They are asked to place healing remedies in the body, loosening and releasing harm or sin bound within. Some words are auspicious, some inauspicious, yet all are borne with a kindly mind. Three voices are placed within, and one falls forth, following the sound. Both strive—neither defeated nor overcome. When Indra and Vishnu strive, they win a thousandfold in threefold measure, upholding the cosmic order and granting blessings to those who invoke them with reverence.