When threatening forces arose upon the earth—those who devour flesh and disturb the world—the gods were invoked for protection. Agni, the sacred fire, was called to drive these harmful beings away from the earth itself. Vāyu, the swift-moving wind, was asked to expel them from the vast atmosphere, sweeping them far from the realms of life. Sūrya, the radiant sun, was entreated to banish them from the sky, casting them down so that peace might be restored. In this time, the powerful spirit within the waters was called to rise up. He was invited to enter this land, a realm flourishing with eloquent speech and harmonious order. The Red One—he who brought forth all creation—was beseeched to uphold and support this being, establishing him firmly in the kingdom. The vigorous presence within the waters was summoned to come forth and ascend to his appointed dwelling places. Bearing the essence of Soma, he was to settle here, bringing with him the waters, plants, cattle, and all living beings—both four-footed and two-footed—so that life might thrive. The fierce Maruts, born of Pṛśni and accompanied by mighty Indra, were invoked to destroy the enemies. Their prayers rose to the Red One, he who is generous and attentive, as the thrice seven Maruts moved together in sweet harmony. The Red One himself rose up and ascended. His essence, the embryo, entered the wombs of all beings, bringing forth impassioned life. Guided by vision and wisdom, the six broad ones established the order of the world, securing the realm for all. It was here that the Red One bestowed the kingdom, driving away all foes so that the people remained unharmed. For his sake, Heaven and Earth—abundant in treasures—were asked to fulfill his desires and grant their precious gifts. The Red One was the one who generated Heaven and Earth. From him, the supreme being stretched out the thread of creation. There, the unborn one-footed being took his seat, and by his power, Heaven and Earth were made firm and enduring. All the supports of the world—Heaven, Earth, the sky, and the measured regions—stand firm by the Red One’s might. Through him, even the gods attained immortality. The Red One pervaded all forms, growing and causing all things to grow. Having ascended the sky in majesty, he ensured that the kingdom was united with the nourishing essence of milk and ghee. The risings and great ascents of the Red One fill the sky and atmosphere, nourished by the sacred word and by milk. These energies awaken and flourish in the kingdom of the Red One. From the heat of creation, clans arose, following the Gāyatrī as a calf follows its mother. They have come here, entering with peaceful minds, as the Red One, like a well-born calf, approaches in blessing. The Red One stands upright in the sky, ever young and wise, generating all forms. With sharp fire, he shines forth, bringing light, and in the third region he made all things dear and precious. He is the thousand-horned bull, knower of all births, offered with ghee and strengthened by Soma. The prayer rises: "May I never be left unprotected by you, nor abandon you; grant me the nourishment of cattle and the strength of heroes." The Red One is the progenitor and mouth of the sacrifice, and to him offerings are made with speech, hearing, and mind. The gods approach him with joyful hearts, and the devotee prays to be raised up by the Red One for the purpose of sacred chanting. The Red One established the sacrifice for the All-Crafter, and from him, all energies have come. His navel is declared to be the very seat of the world. To him ascend the meters of Bṛhatī and Paṅkti, O radiant Jātavedas. To him rise the Uṣṇih meter, the syllable ‘vaṣaṭ’, and the Red One himself, together with the seed of creation. This being holds the embryo of earth, the sky, and the midspace. In the seat of Bradhna, he spreads out the heavenly realms. The Lord of Speech is invoked: may the earth be pleasant, the womb and the resting place auspicious. May breath remain here in friendship, and may the supreme Lord encircle all with life and brilliance. The five seasons, arising through the All-Crafter, come together for the sake of beings. Breath is asked to remain in friendship, and the supreme Lord is prayed to encircle the Red One with life and radiance. The prayer continues: "Lord of Speech, grant us joyful mind and thought; in the cattle pen, generate cows for us, and offspring in the wombs. May breath remain here in friendship, and may the supreme Lord encircle with unbroken life and brilliance." The divine Savitar surrounds, Agni shines with brilliance, and Mitra and Varuṇa offer support. All hostilities are asked to depart, so that a realm endowed with good speech may be established. The Red One, drawn in the chariot by the spotted one, travels splendidly, driving away the waters. Rohiṇī, ever faithful to the Red One, is radiant and golden, bestowing all forms of wealth and victory in all battles. This is the seat of Rohiṇī, the path of the Red One, along which the spotted one travels. Gandharvas and Kaśyapas lead her forth, while the sages guard her from error. The horses of the sun, bearing banners, draw the immortal, pleasant chariot. The Red One, shining with clarified butter, as a god, entered the spotted one in the sky. The Red One, the bull with sharp horns, became both fire and the sun. He supports earth and sky, and from him, the gods create their works. He ascended to the sky from the great ocean; the Red One has fully risen, ascending in glory. The nourishing cow of the gods, bearing clarified butter and untouched, is measured out. Indra is invited to drink Soma, security is invoked, and Agni is called to praise and drive away all foes. Agni is kindled with fuel and clarified butter, growing strong. May this all-conquering Agni destroy all rivals and those who oppose. May he slay and burn the enemies who contend against the devotee, as with the flesh-eating Agni, all rivals are consumed. Indra is called upon to strike down adversaries with his thunderbolt, and Agni’s energies are invoked to drive away all opposition. Agni is asked to press down foes, and Bṛhaspati to cause pain to those who are hostile among one’s own. May Indra, Agni, Mitra, and Varuṇa tread down all ill-wishers, rendering them powerless. Sūrya, the sun god, is invoked to rise and strike down rivals, sending them to the lowest darkness. The radiant calf, bull among thoughts, mounts the shining midspace. With ghee, the sun-calf is worshipped; being Brahman, he is nurtured with the sacred word. The devotee is called to ascend to the sky, the earth, the kingdom, and to wealth, to offspring, and to immortality—touching the body with the Red One’s blessing. The gods who uphold the kingdom move about the sun, and with them, the Red One, Rohita, establishes the kingdom in harmony and goodwill. To the Red One, sacrifices purified by Brahman are brought, and swift coursers carry him on his path as he shines across the ocean and the sea. Upon Rohita are established heaven and earth, victory in wealth, victory in cattle, and victory in gathering. He is of a thousand and seven births, and his navel is declared to be at the world’s center. With glory, the Red One moves to all directions and quarters, among cattle and peoples, and in the lap of earth, O Aditi, may the devotee be beautiful as Sāvitrī. Thus, through the invocation of the Red One and the gathered gods, the world is protected, nourished, and made radiant, filled with life, abundance, and victory.