The shining wheel of the chariot moved forward, its axle firmly fixed, as radiant Sūryā ascended her mind-made vehicle, journeying with purpose toward her husband. Savitṛ, the inspirer, sent forth the draught animal to draw Sūryā’s chariot; in the season of the Maghā stars, the cows were sacrificed, and in Phalgunī, they were yoked for the journey. As the two divine Aśvins, seekers and healers, approached with their three-wheeled chariot to escort Sūryā, they pondered the mystery: where was their single wheel, and where did they place the yoke? When these lords of beauty came to choose Sūryā as their own, all the gods were aware of their intent; Pūṣan, the son, chose on behalf of the father. Of Sūryā’s wheels, two are known by the Brāhmaṇas, marked by the changing seasons, but the hidden third wheel is understood only by the wise. With reverence, Aryaman, the good friend and knower of marriage, is worshipped; just as a cucumber is released from its stalk, so is the bride released from her former ties—here, not elsewhere. She is released, well-bound and secure, never to be lost, blessed as Indra is with good sons. Freed from the noose of Varuṇa, which Savitṛ, the gracious, had once bound, she enters the womb of truth, the world of righteous action, to be happy, strong, and supported. Bhaga, the bestower of fortune, leads her, taking her hand; the Aśvins carry her forth in their chariot. She enters her new home as its mistress, to speak wisely in the assembly. Here, may her beloved children flourish; in this house, she shall tend the sacred fire, uniting with her husband and, in old age, sharing wisdom in counsel. She is encouraged to remain, not to depart, to enjoy the full measure of life, playing joyfully with sons and grandsons, blessed with well-being. The two divine children, moving through past and future, playfully reach the ocean of existence; one surveys all beings, the other arranges the seasons, and so she is born anew. Ever fresh she becomes with each birth, the sign of days, arriving first with the dawn. She apportions the shares to the gods, and may she, radiant, attain a long and brilliant life. Let discord be removed, wealth divided among the priests; entering the path of sacred rites, the wife joins with her husband. Attachment to harmful deeds is revealed as dark and red; her kin multiply, and the husband is bound by their union. The body may become stained by misdeeds, especially when the husband covers himself with the wife’s garment. Expectation, chastisement, even severe trials—these are forms of Sūryā, which the priest purifies. What is parched, bitter, marrowless like a bone, or poisonous, must not be given away; only the priest who knows the Sūryā rite is worthy of the bride. He alone removes misfortune, the priest who knows the auspicious garment and the expiations that ensure the wife’s well-being. Together, fortune, abundance, and immortality are invoked, as is customary at weddings. Lord of Prayer, make the husband pleasing to his wife, and let the charming companion speak kindly. She is urged to stay, not to go elsewhere; may the cows multiply with offspring, and whatever is auspicious in Sūryā or Soma’s radiance, may all the gods direct their minds to her. May the cows enter with their young, and may the husband not diminish the gods’ share; to him, may Pūṣan, the Maruts, Dhātṛ, and Savitṛ grant prosperity. Let the paths be straight and true, as friends come to choose the bride; may Bhaga, Aryaman, and Dhātṛ grant her radiance. Whatever brilliance is found in dice or strong drink, or among cows, may the Aśvins protect her with that radiance. By whatever radiance the sinless one was struck, or that found in strong drink or anointed dice, may the Aśvins shield her. He who shines among the waters without fuel, whom the wise praise in sacrifice—O child of the waters, grant the sweet waters by which Indra grew mighty. Any radiant grasp that defiles the body is washed away with water; what is pure and shining is lifted up. Let the priests bring her bathing waters, let them drive away barrenness; let Pūṣan circle Aryaman’s fire, as her father-in-law and brother-in-law await her. May gold, water, union, and yoke be auspicious; may waters, purified a hundredfold, bless her union as she joins her husband in harmony. In the sky is the chariot, the axle, and the yoke, O mighty Indra; you made Sūryā’s skin flawless. With hopeful mind, seeking well-being and abundance for her people, devoted to her husband, she is united with them for immortality. Just as the Sindhu river brought forth sovereignty among rivers, so may she become sovereign, entering her husband’s home. Let her be sovereign among her husband’s fathers, brothers, sisters-in-law, and mothers-in-law. Those who wove and gave the garment, who did not cut or divide—may they join her to old age; she is clothed in the garment of life. Tears are shed as the living woman is led to the rite, and men shine forth in procession; may what pleases the ancestors bring joy to the husbands, as the bride is embraced. A firm, enduring stone is placed for her offspring on the lap of the divine earth; she stands upon it, radiant, and may Savitar grant her long life. With the same power by which Agni took the right hand of the earth, her hand is taken—she is urged not to tremble, but to be with her husband, with offspring and wealth. May Savitar take her hand, may King Soma make her fruitful; may Agni, knower of all, make her a fortunate and long-lived wife. Her hand is taken for good fortune, that she may grow old with her husband; Bhaga, Aryaman, Savitar, and Purandhi, may the gods grant her to him for household prosperity. Bhaga and Savitar have taken her hand; she is a wife by law, and he is her householder.