With the resolve and power of the ancient seers, I took up the work of healing and protection. As Kanva and Madagni did before me, I set forth to strike down the worms that bring disease, invoking the sacred incantation of Agastya to crush them utterly. The king of the worms, their chief, their mother, their brother, and their sister—all are slain by this act. Those who dwell with them, those who surround them, even the smallest among them, are vanquished. I tear away the horns with which these worms pierce, and I break their bags of poison, rendering them harmless. Then, with care and precision, I move to remove disease from the body, starting from the eyes, nostrils, and ears, from beneath the chin, from the head, the brain, and the tongue. I draw out sickness from the neck, shoulders, collarbones, and upper arms, cleansing the flesh, muscles, and arms. My healing touch extends to the heart, lungs, ribs, spleen, and liver, drawing out all affliction. From the intestines, rectum, and inner parts, from the belly, flanks, and navel, I remove every trace of illness. I cleanse the thighs, bones, heels, and feet, taking away the burning disease from the hips and buttocks. From the very bones, marrow, sinews, and vessels, I extract all sickness, purifying the hands, fingers, and nails. No part of the body is left untouched: every limb, every hair, every joint is healed. With the remedy of the sage Kashyapa, the disease of the skin is driven out completely, restoring wholeness and health. In gratitude and reverence, I call upon the Lord of all cattle, the ruler of four-footed and two-footed beings. May he, set apart, accept his share of the sacrifice, and may prosperity and abundance come to the sacrificer. I pray to the gods to release the seed of the world, granting passage to the sacrificer, so that all offerings, whether prepared or at rest, dear to the gods, may find their path. Those who, with mind and eye, witnessed the binding of the one being offered—may Agni, standing at the front, the divine Maker of all, release him, rejoicing with offspring. The domestic animals, diverse in form yet united in essence, may Vāyu, the divine Lord of creatures, standing at the front, release them, bringing joy in progeny. Let the ancestors, aware of their descendants, receive the one who breathes and moves among the limbs. May he ascend to heaven, remain firm in his body, and proceed to the heavenly world along the paths of the gods. Those who consumed without unrighteousness, whom the fires and sacred seats followed—may any discord among them be made right by the Maker of all. If the sages once called the lord of sacrifice sinful, and the people, suffering, called him abandoned—whatever harm was done, even to children, may the Maker of all restore what was lost and reunite us. If, thinking himself not to be a giver or a drinker of soma, wise in sacrifice but unsteady, he has committed a sin and is bound, O Maker of all, release him for his well-being. Homage to the seers, whose sight and mind are true; homage to Bṛhaspati, the mighty and radiant; homage to the Maker of all—protect us always. The eye of the sacrifice, its beginning and its mouth, I offer with speech, hearing, and mind. May the gods, well-disposed, come to this sacrifice, extended by the Maker of all. May Agni come to us with goodwill and support. May the maiden arrive with fortune, favored in her choices, in assemblies, and in delight; may she find happiness in marriage. Blessed by Soma and sacred utterance, gathered by Aryaman and Bhaga, and through the truth of the divine Creator, I declare this marriage. O Agni, let this woman find a worthy husband; Soma the king makes her fortunate. May she bear sons, be a queen, and shine in good fortune in her new home. As the donkey, dear to Maghavan, became pleasing and gentle among wild animals, so may this woman, favored by Bhaga, be dear to her husband and never cause him offense. Let her climb the boat of Bhaga, ever full and moving, and approach her destined suitor. O lord of wealth, make the suitor eager and all things favorable for their union. This gold, this amulet, this bull, and Bhaga are given to the husbands for the suitor to know. May Savitṛ and her husband guide her; may the sacred herb unite her with her husband. In times of danger, I invoke Agni, the all-knowing, to confront our enemies, burning away curses and hostility. May Jātavedas bewilder the hostile army and render their hands powerless. Fierce Maruts, I call upon you—come, slay, and help us. The Vasus, summoned, have come to aid, with Agni as their wise messenger. O Maghavan, burn the hostile army that stands against us. O Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, and Agni, destroy them together. Indra, let your thunderbolt, swift as horses, strike down our enemies—those before us, behind us, and afar—confounding their minds everywhere. By the force of Agni and Vāta, scatter and destroy our adversaries. Let Indra bewilder their army, the Maruts strike with strength, Agni take away their sight, and the defeated return in confusion. Again, I call Agni, our wise messenger, to burn away curses and hostility, and let Jātavedas confuse the minds of others, making them powerless. Let Agni bewilder whatever thoughts reside in their hearts, blow away their dwellings, and disperse them completely. Indra, as you advance, bewilder their minds; by the force of Agni and Vāta, scatter and destroy our foes. Let their intentions be confused, their minds bewildered, and whatever is in their hearts today, drive it away. Seize their minds, bewilder them, and depart from their bodies; burn them with anguish in their hearts, seize the enemies, and strike them with darkness. That army of the Maruts belonging to others, which comes with strength against us, strike with darkness and deception, so that none among them knows another. Thus, with the blessings of the seers and the gods, with the power of sacred words and healing, with devotion and sacrifice, health and prosperity are restored, marriages are blessed, and enemies are confounded—so the order of the world is upheld.