In ancient times, the power of sacred plants was revered, for they could bridge distances and bring together those separated by rivers or by the vastness of human society. Through the potency of such a plant, one is drawn near, as if bound by its mysterious force. The heavenly eagle, immense and radiant, nourished by the essence of milk, is born from the waters and stands as the bull among plants. With the coming of rains, he brings abundance, fulfilling all needs, and may he establish wealth in our cattle-pens. There is a divine ordinance that all cattle follow, that the waters heed, and in which the lord of nourishment abides. This ordinance belongs to Sarasvant, whom we invoke for help. Sarasvant, the lord of nourishment, turns his gaze toward the worshipper, bestowing wealth, riches, and fame. We call him to the seat of prosperity. The keen-eyed falcon, perceiving the resting places, has crossed deserts and waters, traversing all lower realms. May he arrive in friendship with Indra, bringing auspiciousness to us. This celestial falcon, with beautiful wings and a thousandfold strength, may he restore to us the wealth that was taken away, and may our ancestors possess their rightful portion with sustenance. Soma and the Rudras, we beseech you: drive away disease and misfortune from our dwelling. Repel calamity far from us, and release us even from sins committed. Place your healing remedies within our bodies, loosen and release whatever harm or sin is bound within us. Some words spoken are auspicious, others inauspicious, yet all are borne with a kindly mind. Three voices reside within, and one falls forth, following the sound. Indra and Vishnu strive together, neither defeated nor conquering the other. When these mighty ones contend, they win a thousandfold, threefold measure of victory. From all peoples, from rivers and mountains, and from afar, the remedy for jealousy is raised by name, bringing relief. Sinivali, broad-hipped and sister of the gods, accept our offered oblation and grant us offspring, O goddess. She of beautiful arms and lovely fingers, full of strength and blessed with many children, is the mistress of the people. To Sinivali, we offer the oblation. She, the mistress of the people, belonging to Indra, receptive and approaching in a thousand forms, is the wife of Vishnu. To her, we direct our offerings and ask her to urge her husband for our prosperity. With knowledge, we invoke Kuhū, the goddess who brings good, easy to call at sacrifice. May she grant us all-embracing wealth and a heroic son, a giver of a hundred praises. Kuhū, wife of the immortal gods, may she accept our offerings, hear our sacrifice, and grant us nourishment and wealth. Rākā, gracious and well-praised, is invoked. May she listen to us and attend to us in spirit. May she sew together the garment with a needle that does not cut, and grant us a heroic son, a giver of a hundred gifts, worthy of praise. O Rākā, with your benevolent and beautiful favors, grant us treasures and come to us today with a kindly mind, bestowing abundant wealth. May the shining wives of the gods protect us, granting victory and strength. Those who dwell upon the earth and have dominion over the waters, may these gracious goddesses bestow their protection. May Indrāṇī, Agnāyī, Aśvinī, Rāṭ, and Varuṇānī, the goddesses and mothers of the seasons, come to us and listen. Just as the thunderbolt strikes down a tree without resistance, so may I bind the gambler with the dice, without resistance. Among the swift and slow, among the favored and unfavored, may fortune come to me from every side, placed within my hand. I praise Agni, the good giver, with reverence, asking him to direct our actions. Like chariots in a contest, may we excel among those who bring strength, and may we successfully complete the hymn of the Maruts. With you as our ally, may we win the contest; may our share be raised in every competition. O Indra, make the path easy, and shatter the strength of our enemies. I have conquered you, O marked one, and even the restrained. Like a wolf crushes a sheep, so, O gods, I crush your work. Even the one struck down rises and wins, just as the club of a dog-killer finds its mark in time. He who desires the gods does not withhold wealth, but sends forth riches to his companion by his own power. With cows, barley, and food, may we overcome hostile intent, O much-invoked one. Among kings, may we be foremost in wealth, unharmed, victorious in contests. 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, like a cow giving milk. Hold me together with the bond of victory, as a bowstring binds the bow. May Bṛhaspati protect us from behind, and from the north and south, from harm; may Indra protect us in front and in the middle. As a friend among friends, may he make us superior. May there be understanding among us and our people, among our allies. O Aśvins, grant understanding here. Let us unite in thought and understanding, not divided in mind by divine will. Let not loud shouts arise in the assembly, nor confusion when Indra's day arrives. If we have been bound by a curse elsewhere, O Bṛhaspati, release us from it. May the Aśvins drive away death; O Agni, physician of the gods, protect us with your powers. Cross over together, do not abandon the body; may your life-breaths remain united. Live a hundred autumns, growing strong; Agni is your guardian, Vasiṣṭha your lord. May your life, which has wandered far, your outgoing and incoming breath, return again. May Agni draw you back from Nirṛti’s grasp; I restore all this to you, into yourself. Let not your breath depart nor your vital air go far away. I entrust this to the Seven Sages; may they carry it safely to old age for you. Let your breath and vital air flow forth like two oxen yoked to a cart. May this store of old age, free from harm, grow here. I call back your breath; I drive away disease. May this excellent Agni establish life everywhere. Rising from darkness, ascending to the highest heaven, we reach the god among gods, the Sun, the supreme light. We offer the Ṛc and Sāman, by which deeds are performed. These, shining in the assembly, present the sacrifice to the gods.