Agni, the radiant fire, was invoked to lead forth this cherished seed—this life—toward vitality and brilliance. The guardians of cosmic order—Varuna, Mitra, and the sovereign king—were called upon to protect it. Just as Aditi, the universal mother, shelters her children, so too were all the gods entreated to grant this being a long and fitting life, allowing him to reach venerable old age. From the very essence of the earth and the strength of Bhaga’s body, blessings were sought: may Agni, Surya the sun, and Brihaspati, the lord of sacred speech, grant us longevity and a luminous spirit. Jātavedas, the all-knowing fire, was asked to bestow a long life, while Tvashtar, the divine artisan, was invoked for the gift of offspring. Savitar, the inspirer, was called upon for wealth and nourishment, so that this life might endure for a hundred autumns. Further prayers rose for nourishment, good children, wisdom, prosperity, and understanding. Indra, mighty among gods, was invoked to grant strength in the fields and to subdue all rivals. That which was given by Indra, instructed by Varuna, and sent by the fierce Maruts—may it come to us, so that, nestled in the lap of heaven and earth, there is no hunger or thirst. Nourishment was sought from every quarter: from the Nourisher, from the Giver of Milk, from heaven and earth, from all the gods, the Maruts, and the sacred waters. With auspicious intent, hearts were satisfied, and prayers were offered for freedom from disease, for joy and radiance. The Asvins, divine healers, were invited to partake of the churned potion, adorned in their magical forms. Indra, knowing the supreme nourishment—ageless and self-sustaining—had created this blessing. With it, it was wished that one might live through many seasons, radiant, untouched by the harm of false healers. As the story turned, the mind’s power was invoked. Just as the wind stirs grass upon the earth, so too did the speaker stir another’s mind—those who desired, those who were desired—so that thoughts would not stray. The Asvins were called to unite those who longed for one another, to bring together fortunes, thoughts, and vows. Wherever birds fly, free from sickness, there too was love sent—like a dart, swift and sure, piercing the tender heart. The boundaries between inner and outer were dissolved, and with the aid of sacred herbs, the minds of all maidens were drawn close. A woman’s desire for a husband was met by the speaker’s own longing, and, like a neighing horse carrying fortune, union was joyfully achieved. But life was not without its shadows. The destructive force of worms and disease was confronted. With Indra’s great stone, the destroyer of all pests, the worms were crushed as grain is ground with a pestle. Whether seen or unseen, with or without mouths, crawling in the lands of the Kurus or elsewhere—all worms were struck down with potent words. No matter their strength or weakness, their essence or lack thereof, the worms were slain and driven away, so that none remained. Those lurking in intestines, head, sides, excrement, or causing disease—each was banished by sacred incantation. Even those inhabiting mountains, forests, plants, animals, waters, or those who had entered the body—all were destroyed, their lineage ended. The rising and setting sun was invoked to destroy the worms within the cows, with his rays burning them away. Many-formed, four-eyed, speckled, or white—each worm was torn apart, its head severed. Like the sages Kanva and Madagni, and with Agastya’s incantation, the worms were struck down. Their king and chief, mother, brother, sister—all were slain, as were their dwellers and those surrounding them, even the smallest among them. The horns with which they pierced and their poison-bags were broken, their venom rendered powerless. The healing continued. Disease was drawn out from every part of the body—from eyes, nostrils, ears, and beneath the chin; from the head, brain, and tongue; from the neck, shoulders, collarbones, and upper arms; from flesh, muscles, and arms. The heart, lungs, ribs, spleen, and liver were cleansed. Disease was removed from intestines, rectum, inner parts, belly, flanks, and navel. From thighs, bones, heels, feet, hips, buttocks, hands, fingers, and nails, all burning and pain were dispelled. From bones, marrow, sinews, and vessels, every last trace of illness was driven out, even from the skin, with the remedy of Kashyapa. Turning to the cosmic order, the Lord of cattle, ruler of all four-footed and two-footed beings, was invoked. May he, set apart, come to his sacrificial share, bringing prosperity and abundance to the sacrificer. The gods were asked to release the seed of the world, granting passage to the sacrificer, so that all offerings—prepared and at rest, dear to the gods—might reach their destined path. Those who, with mind and eye, observed the one being bound, were remembered. May Agni, the divine Maker of all, standing at the front, release him, bringing joy with offspring. All domestic animals, though of many forms, were also entrusted to Vāyu, the Lord of creatures, to be released and blessed with offspring. The ancestors, knowing their descendants, were asked to receive the one who moves with breath among the limbs. The prayer was for him to ascend to heaven, to stand firm in his body, and to proceed to the heavenly world by the paths of the gods. Among those who had consumed and not acted unrighteously, whom the fires and sacred seats followed, any ill-will or discord was entrusted to the Maker of all to set right. Even if the lord of sacrifice was called sinful by sages or abandoned by suffering people, and if any harm had come to children through his actions, the Maker of all was asked to restore what was lost and bring wholeness. If, thinking himself not a giver or drinker of soma, wise in sacrifice but not steadfast, he had committed a sin and was bound, the Maker of all was implored to release him for well-being. Homage was paid to the terrible seers, wishing their vision and minds to be true; homage to Bṛhaspati, the mighty and radiant, and to the Maker of all, with a final plea for protection. Thus, the prayers and invocations wove a tapestry of life, healing, union, and cosmic order, upheld by the grace of the gods and the power of sacred words.