In the beginning, the Person—upright and across, in every direction—came into being, pervading all that is. It is said that he who truly knows the city of Brahman, the city which is that Person’s own, is himself called the Person of that city. This city of Brahman is veiled in immortality; and to the one who knows it, Brahman and the Brāhmaṇas bestow sight, breath, and offspring. Such a knower is not forsaken by his eye or his breath before the time of old age, for the one who knows the city of Brahman finds his person so named and so protected. This city, the dwelling of the gods, is wondrous: eight-wheeled and nine-gated, a fit abode for the divine. Deep within it lies a golden treasury, radiant as heaven itself, wrapped in light. In that golden treasury, threefold and standing on three supports, dwells the inner self—this, indeed, is what the knowers of Brahman recognize. Brahman, resplendent, tawny, and surrounded by glory, entered this golden city, unconquered and unconquerable. Now, for protection in this world, there is an amulet—a powerful jewel, meant to destroy rivals. With it, one seizes enemies and strikes down the hostile. It cuts off, strikes, and seizes; let the jewel lead, shining in front. With such protection, the gods themselves held back the approach of the Asuras, day after day. This jewel of protection is a remedy for all, a thousand-eyed wonder, green and golden, bringing enemies low and subduing those who hate. It wards off spells cast against you, and banishes fear; it guards you from every evil. Let this god, the lord of plants, be your shield, driving away any sickness that may have entered, just as the gods have done. Even if, after sleep, you are troubled by an evil dream, or a beast crosses your path ominously, or you hear the ill cry of a bird, this jewel will fend off all harm. May the Varana amulet protect you from enmity, from destruction, from sorcery, and from fear; may it shield you even from the deadly blow of death, who is most powerful. Whatever wrongs have been committed by your mother, father, brothers, yourself, or your kin, may this divine Lord of plants protect you from them all. As for those who are hostile to you, together with their kin—troubled by the Varana—may they sink into unsound dust, descending into the lowest darkness. You, meanwhile, remain unharmed and whole among all people, guided by protection on every side by the Varana jewel. This Varana, king and divine Lord of plants, is worn upon the chest; may he drive away your enemies as Indra drove away the Dasyus and Asuras. Wear this Varana for long life, for a hundred autumns; may it grant you dominion, power, cattle, and strength. As the wind shatters trees and forest-lords, so may Varana break your rivals, those born before and after; as wind and fire burn down the trees, so may Varana burn your rivals and protect you. As trees are felled by the wind, so may Varana lay low and subdue your adversaries. Let Varana cut off those who, from before fate or before life, seek to harm you among cattle or covet your kingdom. As the sun shines forth and radiance is set within, so may the Varana jewel grant you fame and prosperity, never depriving you of brilliance, but uniting you with glory. As there is fame in the moon, the sun, and among men, so may the Varana jewel bring you renown. As there is fame on earth and in the kindled fire, so may it be for you. As there is fame in a maiden or a well-equipped chariot, so may it come to you. As there is fame at the Soma-pressing and honey-offering, at the Agnihotra and the Vaṣaṭ-call, in the sacrificer and in the sacrifice itself, so may the Varana jewel grant you fame and prosperity, uniting you with glory. As there is fame in Prajapati, the supreme lord, so may the jewel of protection grant you renown and prosperity, endowing you with brilliance and uniting you with everlasting fame. As among the gods is immortality and truth, so may this jewel of protection grant you the same, binding you to renown. Now, among the chariots, the first is Indra’s, the second belongs to the gods, the third to Varuṇa; the lowest chariot is for the serpents, and the stationary one for Aradatha. Darbha grass serves as the flame, the tree as the covering, the horse’s hair and the rough covering bind the chariot together. Strike down the white-footed one, both the former and the latter; as if leaping up, let the poison of the serpents—fierce as a thunderbolt, like wood—be destroyed. The noiseless one, sinking and rising, speaks again; let the venom of the serpents, fierce as a bolt, be destroyed as if it were nothing but wood. The Paidva strikes the black serpent, the white, and the grey; the Paidva splits the head of the chariot’s yoke, destroying the venomous. Paidva, go forth—you are the first, and we follow after you. May you scatter the serpents from the path by which we go. This Paidva was born for this domain; here are the footprints of the horse, the destroyer of serpents, the one who possesses strength. In this field, what is bound does not break, what is unbound does not come together; here dwell two serpents, female and male, both venomous. Nearby and far away are the venomous serpents; with a club, I strike the scorpion, the serpent, and the one who approaches with a staff. Thus is the city of Brahman known, thus is protection sought and granted, and thus are dangers overcome by the power of amulet, plant, and prayer, in the radiance of the divine.