In the sacred time of ritual, the seven sons flowed forth for the divine child, the father of the Maruts; these sons, radiant with truth, revealed the eternal laws. Both aspects—of striving and flourishing—moved together for him, each supporting the other. At the heart of this offering, Indra and Varuṇa were invoked: “Come, O steadfast gods, drink this pressed Soma, intoxicating and skillfully prepared. May your chariot, drawn by vows, arrive at the sacrifice, to partake of your own sacred stream.” Again, the call resounded: “Indra and Varuṇa, partake of the honeyed, potent Soma. Come to this libation, sprinkled and ready, and rejoice upon this sacred grass.” The assembly, seeking protection, uttered: “Whoever curses us, or does not, or does so in any manner—may he wither from the root, like a tree struck by lightning.” With reverence, the devotee approached the houses, bearing strength and wisdom, his gaze friendly and harmless: “I come well-minded and humble; rejoice, fear not. These houses are filled with joy, abundance, and strength, standing full of plenty—may they recognize us as we enter. In their midst dwell travelers, and goodwill abounds. We call upon these houses; may they know us as we come.” The wealthy friends, sweet in gathering, were summoned; the houses were called to be free from hunger and thirst, to have no fear. Cows, goats, and sheep were invited, as was the very essence of food, to fill the homes. “May your speech be good, your fortune great, your laughter and joy abundant. Houses, be without want or fear. Remain here, flourish in every form; I will come with good fortune—may you grow greater with me.” Turning to Agni, the fire god, the assembly declared: “By the heat of austerity, we perform our penance; may we become dear to the learned, long-lived, and wise. Agni, we practice austerity, we perform austerity; hearing the teachings, may we gain wisdom and life.” Agni was praised as the true lord, ever-strong, like a charioteer conquering all, the priest who leads, set in the earth’s navel, flashing without thunder—may those who strive lay a firm foundation. “We invoke Agni, conqueror in battle, enduring, from the highest seat; may he lead us through all trials, carrying us beyond misfortune.” Yet, if a black bird flies out or falls down, the prayer rose: “May the waters protect us from all evil. If the black bird cries, O goddess of destruction, may Agni, the household fire, release us from that offense.” To apāmārga, the cleansing plant, they turned: “You, who bear fruit facing backward, drive away all who walk the path of harm. Whatever wrong or impurity we have done, with you, apāmārga, we wipe it away. Whatever we have shared with the ill-fated or outcast, with you, apāmārga, we remove it all.” Seeking restoration, they prayed: “Whether in the mid-air, in the wind, in the trees, or hollows—whatever the cattle heard rising up, may that Brāhmaṇa return to us again. May my strength, spirit, wealth, and Brāhmaṇa return; may the sacred fires be established here once more.” To Sarasvatī, the goddess, they offered: “O Sarasvatī, in your divine vows and heavenly abodes, accept this offering; grant us offspring. This is your offering, rich in ghee; this is the oblation for the Fathers, the food for their mouths. By your most auspicious gifts, may we become full of sweetness.” They prayed for auspiciousness: “May the wind blow well for us, may the sun warm us kindly; may our days and nights be auspicious; may the dawn shine well for us.” Against those who would harm, the prayers turned sharp: “Whatever is offered with mind, speech, sacrifice, oblation, or yajus—may Nirṛti, with Death, destroy that before it reaches the truth. May the Yātudhānas and Nirṛti strike him with untruth and destroy his truth; may the gods, urged by Indra, crush his sacrifice—let his offering not reach its goal. Like two swift kings, like eagles swooping down, may the ghee, struck from the vessel, destroy whoever has harmed us.” With the wrath of Agni, they bound the arms and mouths of those who opposed them, striking down their oblation with fierce power. Around Agni, the wise and mighty, they moved day by day, honoring the destroyer of breakers. The officiant called: “Rise up, let us see Indra’s portion. Have you offered the cooked oblation? Declare it.” If the offering was ready, Indra was invited: “Come forth, the sun is at its zenith. Your companions surround you with treasures, as householders gather about their lord.” The truth of the offering was affirmed: “The food is cooked in the vessel, in the fire, well-prepared—this is the newer truth. At the midday pressing of soma, drink, O Indra, bolt-wielder, rejoicing in many gifts.” The Aśvins, the twin charioteers of heaven, were called with the kindled Agni and the heated sacrificial drink, sweet as honey: “O Aśvins, we, the singers, call you in assembly. The cows are milked for you, mighty ones; the skilled rejoice, O creators. The svāhā-offered sacrifice, pure among gods, the Aśvins’ cup, fit for the gods—this the immortals taste in turn from Gandharva.” The ghee and milk, offered among the cows, was their portion; “O Aśvins, true lords of assembly, drink the heated sacrificial drink of heaven. Let the heated offering be poured for you; let the self-offerer not fail; let the Adhvaryu, rich in milk, move forward. Drink the sweet milk from the honeyed cow, drink the milk of the tawny cow.” The ritual was completed with care: “Approach with milk to the lowing of the cow; pour the milk of the tawny cow into the heated vessel. Savitar, the worthy, has revealed the sky; he shines forth, following the path of the dawns.” Thus, with gods invoked, offerings made, and homes blessed, the sacred order was honored and the world made auspicious.