From the ancient verses of the Ṛg, a wondrous being arose—his birth intertwined with the hymns themselves, and from him, those sacred verses found new life. Emerging from the heart of sacrifice, he became both its origin and its fulfillment; the sacrifice is his, and it is set as the crown of all offerings. This mighty one, Indra, thunders across the heavens, flashes with lightning, and hurls stones with unstoppable force. His actions ripple through the world, whether for good or evil, touching both men and demons alike. Whatever is done to the plants, whatever blessings descend as rain, whatever offspring flourish—all are manifestations of his greatness. O Maghavan, your glory is as vast as a hundred forms, and your bonds, even if tied a hundred thousand times, remain unbroken. May you, Indra, rise above all hostility, surpass even death itself. Greater than enmity, lord of strength, all-pervading and all-powerful, thus do we worship you. Homage to you! Look upon us, see us, do not turn away. We honor you with food and drink, with fame and brilliance, with the radiance of the Brahmin. We worship you with water, with strength and might. With water, with the red dawn, with the silvery realm, with might—we offer our reverence. Wide, broad, and well-founded is your domain; expansive, excellent, shining world, thus do we worship you. May you be a good spirit, generous and united, ever striving—thus we honor you. Homage to you! Look upon us, see us, do not turn away. With food and drink, with fame and brilliance, with the radiance of the Brahmin, we worship you. The earth is upheld by truth, the sky by the sun; the Ādityas stand firm by order, and Soma is established in the heavens. By Soma, the Ādityas gain strength, and by Soma, the great earth is mighty; among the stars, Soma shines at their center. When one drinks, he believes he has consumed Soma as the herbs are pressed, but the Soma known to the Brahmins is untouched by any mortal. When Soma is drunk, it is replenished anew; Vāyu guards Soma, and the months shape its form. Protected by coverings, guarded by the Barhish, Soma is preserved, listening to the stones, yet no mortal partakes of it. Splendid was the bedding, the eye served as ointment; heaven and earth became the covering when Sūryā chose her husband. Raibhya attended her, Nārāśaṃsī spread the seat, and Sūryā’s auspicious garment, adorned with song, was sent forth. Hymns became the steps, the Kurīra the canopy, and the metres the veils; for Sūryā, the Aśvins were the best men, Agni led the way. Soma became the wooer, the Aśvins were the best men, when Sūryā, praised for her husband, was given by Savitṛ with his mind. Her mind was the axle, heaven the covering; two bright oxen drew the chariot as Sūryā journeyed to her husband. The two cows, invoked with Ṛc and Sāman, came as chants; her ears became wheels, and the path in heaven moved, yet remained still. Her shining wheel turns, the axle fixed firm; Sūryā ascended the mind-made chariot, striving toward her husband. Savitṛ released the draught animal for Sūryā; in Maghā stars the cows are slaughtered, in Phalgunī they are yoked. When you two Aśvins, inquiring, came with the three-wheeled chariot for Sūryā, where was your one wheel, where did you place the yoke? When you, lords of beauty, arrived to choose Sūryā, all the gods knew it; Pūṣan, the son, chose the father. Two of your wheels, O Sūryā, the Brāhmaṇas know by the seasons; but the hidden wheel, only the wise can see. We worship Aryaman, the good friend and knower of marriage; as a cucumber from its bond, I release you from here, not from there. I release you from here, well-bound, not to be lost, just as you, Indra, are blessed with good sons. I release you from Varuṇa’s noose, with which Savitṛ, the gracious, bound you; in the womb of truth, in the world of good deeds, may you find happiness, strength, and support. May Bhaga lead you, holding your hand; may the Aśvins carry you with their chariot; enter the house as its mistress, speak wisely in the assembly. Here, may your beloved offspring thrive; in this home, keep watch over the sacred fire. Touch your body with your husband, and, in your age, speak wisely in the assembly. Thus, the hymns weave together the cosmic order, the glory of Indra, the mystery of Soma, and the sacred union of Sūryā, all bound in reverent praise and timeless truth.