Indra, the wise and all-knowing, is invoked with reverence, his self-sufficiency and graciousness sought by those who yearn for his protection. With his aid, they pray for hatred to be driven far from them, and for fearlessness to be granted; they wish to be endowed with heroic strength, becoming lords of their own power. Indra’s wisdom is called upon not only to dispel enmity from strangers but even to remove hatred from within one’s own kin, so that all may dwell in his good favor and a mind filled with happiness. With Indra’s righteous wrath as their ally, the worshippers seek to overcome those who are hostile, striking down adversaries who offer no resistance. Their offerings are steadfast, and with firm devotion they lead Soma, hoping that Indra may gather all people together in harmony. They behold a vision: two grey, wandering, greedy forms soar across the sky—resplendent and shining from the heart. Alone, one rises up, weary as two resting cows, calling like birds, howling like wolves. There is a sense of piercing, striking, and joining together, yet a boundary remains, for the member of the mighty one is not approached, even by those—woman or man—who have seized it. The cows settle peacefully in their dwelling, the birds nestle into their homes, the mountains stand firm in their places, and the worshipper finds himself in the wolf’s abode. In the midst of sacrifice, the Hotar, the wise priest, is chosen and invited to come with firmness and strength, to join the worshippers at the sacred Soma. Indra is called to lead with wisdom, with cows, with the noble and the tawny ones, with well-being and divine favor, and the worshippers pray for the grace of all the gods. Agni is asked to bring forth the eager gods, to seat them in his abode, and, after partaking of the sweet offerings, to bestow their treasures upon the devotees. The gods are welcomed, their seats made easy, and they are invited to ascend to the warm heaven, bearing their own riches. Thus, the gods are urged to go to the sacrifice and to the lord of sacrifice, to return to their own source, as the sacred exclamation “svāhā” is uttered. The sacrifice, offered to the lord of sacrifice and spoken with a thousand hymns, is prayed to bring good fortune. To all the gods—those offered with “vaṣaṭ” and those not—the path is shown, and they are urged to follow it, knowing and finding the way. The lord of mind is invoked, that the sacrifice may reach the gods in heaven, with “svāhā” resounding in heaven, on earth, in the midspace, and in the wind. All elements are united: the strewn grass, the offering, the ghee, Indra’s wealth, the Maruts, and all the gods, so that the offering reaches Indra. The altar is carefully prepared, the kin are not disturbed, nor those lying with the root; the seat of the Hotṛ, green and golden, are ornaments in the world of the sacrificer. The worshippers turn away evil and sinful dreams, misfortune is barred with sacred utterance, and dreams are purified. Even the food eaten in dreams, which vanishes by morning, is prayed to be auspicious, for it is unseen by day. With humility, the worshipper bows to Heaven and Earth, to the midspace, and to Death, standing upright and hoping that the lords will not harm him. He wonders who will drive away the injurious one who desires the wealth of a warrior, and who among the gods will grant long life to one who seeks fulfillment and sacrifice. He remembers the speckled cow, given by Varuṇa to Atharvan, ever-yielding and always with a calf, a symbol of friendship with Bṛhaspati, and ponders on the one who arranges his body as he wishes. Turning away from human speech, divine speech is chosen, and the worshipper returns with right guidance, together with all friends. To Agni Jātavedas, the wise one, he confesses any forgetfulness, whether committed knowingly or unknowingly, seeking protection and immortality among good friends. The seven rays of the sun are praised for carrying away the darkness of day, just as the streams of the oceanic waters remove the dart of suffering. If any wish to harm, whether openly or in secret, whether known or unknown, Agni is called to keep them away and not let their offspring remain. Any who attack, sleeping or awake, standing or moving, are to be burned up by Jātavedas, with Vaiśvānara as ally. Homage is paid to the fierce, tawny one, master over the dice; with ghee, the losing throw is appeased, and grace is sought in this matter. Agni is asked to carry away the dust from the dice, the sand and grit, with ghee for the Apsarases, so that, as the gods rejoice in their share of the oblation, they may delight in both kinds of offerings. The Apsarases are invited to the shared feast, to the offering placed between the sun and the worshippers; may they join hands with ghee and subdue the deceitful gambler. May new and returning blessings pour forth with ghee, and may the one who opposes be struck down like a tree with an axe. The god who brings wealth and determines the outcome of the dice is invoked to grant joy in the shared feast with the Gandharvas. The dice, called “Samvasava,” are honored as lords of the realm, and libations are offered to them so that the worshippers may become masters of riches. Whenever the gods are invoked for support, and discipline is practiced, and the tawny dice are taken up, grace is sought in this matter. Agni and Indra are praised as slayers of adversaries for the worshipper, for they conquered the worlds at the very beginning and established all beings. The mighty ones are invoked, and to them the ladle is grasped; Indra and Bṛhaspati are called to the offering with praises, for the worshipper who pours the libation. The seat of Soma, the soul of gods and men, is honored as Indra’s belly, and it is here that offspring are to be generated, that all may find delight. Heaven and Earth, shining brightly and of noble vow, are praised as the seven divine waters flow forth, releasing all from distress. Thus, in each prayer and act of devotion, the worshippers seek unity, blessing, protection, and the favor of the gods, that life may be harmonious, prosperous, and free from harm.