In the sacred gathering, the Apsarases, celestial nymphs, rejoiced in the shared feast, their delight found in the offering placed between the sun and humankind. With reverence, a devotee prayed that these radiant beings join his hands together with ghee, seeking their aid to subdue his rival—the deceitful gambler who opposed him. He called for the pouring forth of the new and returning offerings, rich with ghee, upon himself and his companions, wishing that any adversary be struck down, as an axe fells a tree. He remembered the god who, by day, had granted wealth, who presided over the fortunes and losses at the dice. To this god, he offered his tribute, longing for joy in the company of the Gandharvas at the feast. The dice themselves were invoked by their name, ‘Samvasava’, fierce lords of the realm; libations and offerings were made to them, with the hope of becoming masters of riches. In moments of seeking support, practicing discipline, and handling the tawny dice, the devotee implored the gods for their grace and favor in these endeavors. Turning to the mightiest of gods, he praised Agni and Indra, recalling how, for the worshipper, they had slain adversaries, for both were destroyers of foes. He remembered how these mighty ones, strong-armed, had conquered the worlds at the beginning and established all beings. With devotion, he invoked Agni and Indra, the slayers of adversaries, and recalled how the ladle was grasped in offering to Indra and Brihaspati. He invited Indra to accept praise and offerings for the worshipper’s well-being. He then honored the sacred vessel, the seat of Soma, calling it Indra’s belly, the very soul of gods and men. Here, he prayed, let offspring be generated, and may all—those present and those elsewhere—find delight and joy. Heaven and Earth, shining brightly and upholding noble vows, were invoked, along with the seven divine waters that flowed forth by sacred ordinance. The devotee prayed that these holy waters release him from distress, from curses, from the wrath of Varuna, from the fetter of Yama, and from every divine offense. He addressed thirst itself, beseeching the remover of thirst to cut away this affliction, just as those who err are bound for their actions—so let thirst be bound for the one who must bear it. Recognizing thirst as both poison and its antidote, he prayed for release, just as a rope is loosened from a bull. With offerings from his sides, heart, and the brightness of his mouth, he returned all radiance to its source, wishing for the departure of disease and evil words. He called upon Agni to destroy all harm and upon Soma to dispel malevolence. He prayed that any evil mark fall away and perish, even as he bound it with an iron brand to his enemy. Any misfortune, poverty, or ill-will that had befallen him, he asked Savitar, golden-handed bestower of wealth, to carry away, as a creeper falls from a tree. He recognized that a hundred forms of misfortune are born with every mortal, clinging to body and life, and asked Jātavedas to drive away the most sinful and ruinous among them, granting only the auspicious to remain. With careful words, he separated the good from the bad, as one sorts cows in a herd, inviting the auspicious fortunes to dwell and driving the wicked ones away. He offered homage to Rūrā, the mover, the impeller, the bold, and the fulfiller of ancient desires. He spoke of the frog, approached on sacred days, and welcomed those who came without vows. He called to Indra, inviting him to arrive with his delightful tawny horses adorned with peacock feathers, wishing that no one restrain him, that no binders hold him back, and that he come straight as an arrow. He prayed for protection, covering vital spots with armor, asking Soma the king to anoint him with immortality, Varuṇa to grant a broad chest, and the gods to make him victorious and rejoice in him. Heaven and Earth, shining nobly, and the seven divine waters were again invoked to release all from distress. In a solemn moment, homage was given to Death, the Ender, with a plea that the breaths and out-breaths remain, that the person stay among the living, in the portion of the Sun, in the world of immortality. Bhaga, Soma the radiant, the Maruts, Indra, and Agni were all asked to raise the person up for well-being. He affirmed the presence of breath, life, and mind, drawing the person away from the snares of Nirṛti with the gods’ words. He urged the person to rise, not to follow the path of death, not to go to the broad house, but to remain in this world, in the sight of Agni and the Sun. He prayed for the wind to blow, for the immortal waters to rain, for the Sun to shine well-being, and for Death to be merciful, asking that the person not go away. He made a path for returning, a boat for living, and skill for vigor, inviting the person to ascend the immortal, pleasant chariot and to speak with a clear voice. He pleaded that the mind not wander, that the person not depart from the living nor go to the ancestors, but remain protected by all the gods. He urged the person not to long for those who have gone, but to ascend from darkness to light, taking their hands. He addressed the two messengers of Yama, the black and the spotted dogs who guard the road, asking them not to scatter or stand apart with a turned mind. He warned the person not to take the dreadful path trodden by those before, for there was fear beyond, but safety here. He called for protection from the fires in the waters, from the fire kindled by men, and from Vaiśvānara, Jātavedas. He prayed that the divine one not drive the person away with lightning. He asked that the flesh-eater cause no harm, that distress be kept at bay, and that the sky, earth, sun, moon, and midspace offer their protection. He invoked wakefulness and alertness, dreamless sleep and undisturbed rest, the guardian and the watchful one, to protect and guard the person, offering salutations and libations to them. He prayed to Vāyu, Indra, Dhātṛ, and Savitṛ, the preserver, to grant life among the living, that breath and strength not depart, and that the vital spirit be called back. He asked that the demon Jambha, crushing force, and darkness do no harm, that the tongue not wander to the sacrificial grass, and that the Ādityas, Vasus, Indra, and Agni bring well-being. Finally, he prayed that the sky, earth, and Prajāpati uphold the person, that the plants and Soma, the queen, fill him with life, and that he be kept far from death. Thus, with devotion and reverence, the devotee sought the grace and protection of the divine powers, weaving prayers for fortune, health, and life into a tapestry of sacred trust.