O Agni, radiant Jātavedas, the devotee called, “drive away those who are born as rivals and those who have arisen against me. Subdue them, let their strength be made harmless, and let their place be set below, so that we may remain sheltered in the boundless grace of Aditi.” With fervor, the prayer continued, “Jātavedas, overcome these rivals with force and protect this realm for prosperity. May all the gods follow after, blessing this land with abundance.” To ensure that enmity would not thrive, the devotee declared, “I have blocked your hundred veins and a thousand channels with stone, making your lower origin distant. May you not be fruitful nor a parent; I cover you with stone, so that you may be without offspring.” Thus, all opposition was rendered powerless. Turning inward, the devotee prayed for harmony and unity, “May our eyes be like honey, our faces adorned with beauty. Let me be joined within your heart, and may our minds be united in strength.” With this union, the devotee placed the beloved with human birth and with their own garment, wishing, “May you be mine alone, not belonging to others nor to their praise.” Seeking healing and reunion, the devotee dug up a sacred herb, saying, “I dig this remedy for the delight of my sight, for the return of one gone away, and the welcome of one who has come.” With the same power by which the Asuri once bound Indra apart from the gods, the devotee bound the beloved, so that they would become most dear. “You are receptive to Soma, to the Sun, and to all the gods. To you, we address our words,” the devotee intoned. “In the assembly, let me speak and not you; let this praise be mine alone.” Even if the beloved was far beyond people or rivers, the plant brought them near, as if bound with invisible cords. The devotee then called upon the heavenly eagle, vast and nourishing, the mighty embryo of waters and bull among plants, who comes with rain and satisfies with abundance. “May he establish wealth for us in the cattle-pen,” they prayed. To Sarasvant, whose ordinance is followed by all cattle, attended by the waters, and in whom the lord of nourishment abides, the devotee called for help. “Sarasvant, bestower of wealth and fame, turn toward us, come to the seat of riches.” The falcon, keen-eyed and celestial, was invoked: “May he, crossing deserts and waters, traversing lower realms, come to us in friendship with Indra, bringing auspiciousness. May he return to us the wealth that was taken and may our ancestors possess their portion with sustenance.” Seeking protection from misfortune, the devotee called to Soma and the Rudras, “Drive away the spreading disease and whatever calamity has entered our dwelling. Release us from committed sin. Place all healing remedies in our bodies and loosen whatever harm or sin is bound within us.” The devotee reflected on the power of words, “Some of your words are auspicious, some inauspicious, yet you bear them all with a kindly mind. Three voices are placed within you, and one has fallen forth, following the sound.” Contemplating the nature of struggle, the devotee observed, “Both strive, neither is defeated nor overcomes, and neither is conquered. But when you, Indra and Vishnu, strive, you win a thousandfold in threefold measure.” From every direction—people, rivers, mountains, and afar—the devotee called upon the remedy for jealousy by name, raising it for protection. The prayers then turned to the goddesses. “Sinivali, broad-hipped, sister of the gods, accept this oblation and grant us offspring. You with beautiful arms, lovely fingers, full of strength and many children, mistress of the people, to you we offer. O goddess, wife of Vishnu, receptive and approaching with a thousand forms, urge your husband for our prosperity.” The goddess Kuhū was invoked with knowledge, “Come, well-doer, accept our offering, grant us all-embracing wealth and a heroic son, a giver of praise. Kuhū, wife of the immortal gods, may you hear our sacrifice and grant us nourishment.” To Rākā, gracious and well-praised, the devotee prayed, “Listen to us and sew together the garment with a needle that does not cut. Grant a heroic son, a giver of a hundred gifts. With your benevolent favors, bring treasures to the worshipper—come to us today, bestowing abundant wealth.” The devotee sought the protection of the shining wives of the gods, “May they grant us victory and strength. Those who dwell on earth and rule over the waters, may these goddesses protect us. Indrāṇī, Agnāyī, Aśvinī, Rāṭ, Varuṇānī, and the mothers of the seasons—may you all come to us.” With resolve, the devotee turned to the matter of fortune and contest, “Just as the thunderbolt strikes down a tree without resistance, so may I bind the gambler with the dice. May fortune come to me from every side, swift or slow, and be placed within my hand.” Praising Agni, the good giver, the devotee asked for guidance, “May we excel like chariots in a contest and successfully complete the hymn of the Maruts. With you as our ally, may we win every contest and may our share be raised. O Indra, make the path easy and shatter the strength of our enemies.” With triumph, the devotee declared victory over rivals, “I have conquered you, O marked one, and even the restrained. Like a wolf crushes a sheep, so do I crush your work.” Yet, even the one struck down may rise and win, for he who desires the gods does not withhold wealth, but shares it with his companion. “May we overcome hostile intent with cows, barley, and food. Among kings, may we be foremost in wealth, unharmed and victorious. The winning throw is in my right hand, victory in my left. May I be a winner of cows, horses, wealth, and gold. O dice, grant a fruitful throw and hold me together with the bond of victory, as a bowstring binds the bow.” Finally, the devotee invoked Bṛhaspati for protection from behind and from all directions, and Indra for protection in front and in the middle. “As a friend among friends, may he make us superior.” Thus, with prayers for protection, unity, abundance, healing, victory, and the blessings of the gods and goddesses, the devotee offered their heart’s deepest wishes to the divine, trusting in their grace and power.