Once, in the ancient days, the healing herb was sought by many. The mighty eagle discovered it, and the diligent boar unearthed it for humanity. This sacred herb was invoked with a prayer: let it serve as the counter-morsel, destroying the harmful morsel and removing the injurious juices from the body. Indra, the king of gods, created this herb for strength, to empower the arms and overcome the Asuras. The prayer continued, beseeching the herb to act as the counter-morsel, dispelling what was harmful and cleansing the body’s juices. Indra himself consumed the pāṭā plant, seeking victory over the Asuras. Again, the plea was made for the herb’s counter-morsel to destroy the morsel and remove the juices. With the power of this herb, the devotee declared, “I strike down my enemies, just as Indra struck down the Sālāvrikā demons.” The herb was called upon once more to destroy the harmful morsel and purify the juices. To Rudra, healer who works with water, blue-crested and powerful, the prayer was addressed: “O herb, let the counter-morsel destroy the morsel and remove the juices.” The devotee pleaded with the herb: “Destroy the morsel of anyone who attacks us—not Indra. Speak to us with your powers, O morsel, and make me superior.” Turning to the subject of longevity and protection, the wish was made: “May only old age grow for you; let disease afflict others, for they are death-bringers, a hundred in number. Just as a mother cradles her child, let a friend protect him from harm, not an enemy.” The gods Mitra, Varuna, and the united Rishadā were invoked to create old age and death for the adversary. Agni, the priest who knows the rites, was recognized as the one who distinguishes the origins of all the gods. The prayer affirmed: “You rule over the creatures of earth, both the born and the creators. Let my breath remain; let not my vital air depart. Let neither friends nor foes slay me.” Heaven and earth were invoked as father and mother, united to create old age and death. The devotee wished to live as one protected in Aditi’s lap, sustained by breath and vital air, for a hundred winters. Agni was asked to lead the dear seed for life and brilliance, while Varuna, Mitra, and the king were called upon to protect it. Like Aditi, they were asked to grant shelter, so that he may reach old age as is fitting. From the essence of earth and the strength of Bhaga’s body, the devotee called upon Agni, Surya, and Brihaspati to grant long life and brilliance. Jātavedas was invoked for long life, Tvashtar for offspring, Savitar for wealth and nourishment, and the prayer was made that the devotee may live a hundred autumns. The gods were asked to grant nourishment, good offspring, wisdom, wealth, and understanding. Indra was called upon to conquer the fields with strength and make rivals subordinate. The blessings were sought: “Given by Indra, instructed by Varuna, sent by the fierce Maruts, let him come to us. In the lap of heaven and earth, let him not hunger or thirst.” Nourishment was requested from the nourisher, milk from the milk-giver, and from heaven, earth, all gods, Maruts, and waters. With auspicious wishes, the devotee sought to satisfy the heart, wishing freedom from disease, joy, and radiance. The Asvins were invited to drink the churned potion, wearing their magical form. Indra, knowing the foremost nourishment, created this ageless, self-sustaining blessing. With it, the devotee wished to live through the autumns, radiant, and protected from harmful doctors. Moving to the power of the mind, the prayer compared the stirring of grass by the wind to the stirring of the mind, as those who desire the devotee, as the devotee’s mind does not stray. The Asvins were asked to unite those who desire, to bring together fortunes, thoughts, and vows. The devotee’s love was sent where the birds fly, free from disease, like a dart piercing a tender spot. What is inside is outside, and what is outside is inside, the devotee declared, seizing the minds of maidens of all forms with the herb. A woman desiring a husband was matched by the devotee’s own desire; he had come, like a neighing horse, with fortune, to unite with her. Turning to the battle against worms, the devotee invoked Indra’s great stone, the destroyer of worms, the remover of all. He crushed the worms as a pestle grinds grain. Both seen and unseen worms, those with or without a mouth, and those of the Kurus without a mouth—all crawling worms—were struck down with words. The devotee slew the crawling worms with a mighty blow; the weak and the strong, those without essence, perished. The remaining and the not remaining were driven away with words, leaving no worms behind. Worms in the intestines, head, sides, excrement, and those causing disease were struck down with words. Worms in the mountains, forests, plants, animals, waters, and those that entered the body—all were destroyed, their entire lineage wiped out. As the Sun rises, he was asked to destroy worms; as he sets, to destroy them with his rays—especially those inside the cow. The many-formed, four-eyed worm, speckled and white, had its backs torn apart and its head cut off. Like Kanva and Madagni, the devotee struck down worms; with Agastya’s incantation, crushed them. Slain were the king and chief of the worms; slain were the mother, brother, and sister worm. Slain were the dwellers and those who surrounded them; even the smallest worms were destroyed. The devotee tore off the horns of the worms, broke their poison-bags, and defeated those who bore poison. Then, the devotee turned to healing: from the eyes, nostrils, ears, and beneath the chin, disease was removed from the head, brain, and tongue. From the neck, shoulders, collarbones, and upper arms, disease was removed from flesh, muscles, and arms. From the heart, lungs, and ribs, disease was removed from spleen and liver. From intestines, rectum, inner parts, and belly, disease was removed from flanks and navel. From thighs, bones, heels, and feet, the burning disease was removed from hips and buttocks. From bones, marrow, sinews, and vessels, disease was removed from hands, fingers, and nails. Thus, through prayer, invocation, and the power of herbs and gods, the devotee sought health, longevity, protection, and love, banishing disease and harm from all parts of the body and all realms of existence.