With a mind full of hope and devotion, the bride approaches her new life, seeking well-being, prosperity, and abundance for all her people. Her heart is steadfastly devoted to her husband, and with this union, she is welcomed among us, entering the path toward immortality. Just as the mighty Sindhu river has established its sovereignty among all rivers, so may the bride become sovereign as she enters her husband’s home. Let her be a queen among her husband’s fathers and brothers, among sisters-in-law and mothers-in-law, holding her place with grace and authority. Those who wove and fashioned the garment, who never cut nor divided, have made it to surround her completely. May they join her in companionship through old age; she is invited to wear this garment, vibrant with life. As the living woman is led to the sacred ritual, tears are shed, and men shine forth, following the long tradition. What pleases the ancestors is sought to bring joy to the husbands, and the bride is warmly embraced. A firm, enduring stone is set for her offspring, placed upon the lap of the divine earth. She is asked to stand upon it, radiant, and Savitar is invoked to grant her long life. With the same sacred power by which Agni took the right hand of the earth, the groom takes the bride’s hand, urging her not to tremble. He promises to be with her, together with children and wealth. May Savitar, the god, take her hand; may King Soma grant her fruitfulness; may Agni, the knower of all, bless her to be fortunate for her husband and long-lived. Her hand is taken in the hope of good fortune, so that she and her husband may grow old together. Bhaga, Aryaman, Savitar, and Purandhi are invoked to grant her to him for household prosperity. Bhaga and Savitar have both taken her hand; she is now the wife by sacred law, and the groom is her householder. May this woman bring prosperity, and may Bṛhaspati give her to her husband. Together, bearing children, may they live a hundred autumns in harmony. Tvaṣṭṛ, guided by the wisdom of Bṛhaspati, has fashioned a beautiful garment. With this, Savitar and Bhaga are asked to clothe the bride, blessing her with offspring as Sūryā was blessed. Indra and Agni, Heaven and Earth, Mātariśvan, Mitra and Varuṇa, Bhaga, the Aśvins, Bṛhaspati, the Maruts, Brahman, and Soma—all are called upon to bless the bride, that she may flourish with children. Bṛhaspati first arranged the hair on Sūryā’s head; with this same care, the Aśvins are asked to adorn the bride for her husband. It is the nature of a woman, seeking to know her husband, to move in thought. The groom pledges to follow her with new companions, wondering who has loosened these ancient bonds. He himself loosens the bonds, knowing her form within his heart, seeing the nest of her mind. He affirms he has not stolen, nor been released by the mind, but personally loosens the bonds of Varuṇa. He releases the bride from the bonds of Varuṇa, with which Savitar had gently bound her. He makes for her a wide world and an easy path, together with her husband. He urges her to rise, to drive away demons, and to place herself among the good. The wise Creator has found her a husband, and King Bhaga is called to come, knowing, to beget offspring. Bhaga has fashioned four feet and four wheels; Tvaṣṭṛ has shaped the middle, fitting the spokes. May she be auspicious for all. Let her bear a beautiful covering, golden, well-joined, with good wheels. The bride is invited to ascend to the immortal realm of the sun, making the path for the husbands pleasant. Savitar is asked to bring a wife who does not harm her brother or husband, who is blessed by Varuṇa and fruitful by Bṛhaspati, who does not harm her lord, as Indra protects. The post is entreated not to harm the maiden as she walks the path made by the gods. At the threshold of the divine house, the bride’s way is made pleasant. Let the sacred utterance be yoked at the end, at the beginning, and in the middle; let it be everywhere. Entering the city of the gods unharmed, the bride is wished to shine auspiciously and pleasantly in her husband’s world. At the front, Sūryā is yoked together with the bridal car. Agni is invoked to grant a wife with offspring and prosperity for the husbands. Agni returns the wife, bestowing long life and splendor. May her husband live a hundred autumns, blessed with longevity. Soma was her first husband, the Gandharva her second; Agni is her third, and the fourth are men born of men. Soma gave her to the Gandharva, the Gandharva to Agni; Agni has given wealth, sons, and this woman to the groom. The Aśvins are asked to come with good thoughts, rich in horses, with desires dwelling in their hearts. May they become guardians, lords of beauty, and may Aryaman’s favor be attained. With joyful mind and auspicious thought, wealth is sought—heroic, renowned, and abundant. An easy crossing and good drinking are prayed for, with firm standing and removal of evil intent. May the herbs, rivers, fields, and forests protect the bride, making her fruitful for her husband, and shielding her from demons. The path is chosen—easy and bringing well-being—where the hero does not perish and gains the wealth of others. All men are called to listen, that by these blessings, the couple may enjoy happiness together. May the Gandharvas, Apsarases, and divine beings who dwell in trees be auspicious for the bride, and not harm her as she is led to her new home. Those who bring disease to the bride are asked to be sent back to where they came from by the worshipful gods. Let not robbers lying in wait harm the couple; may enemies flee far away as they cross difficult places safely. The bridal car is harnessed with sacred utterance, household, gentle sight, and friendship. Whatever is bound and of many forms, may Savitar make pleasant for the husbands. A gracious woman has come to the house, assigned her place by the Creator. Aryaman, Bhaga, the Aśvins, and Prajāpati are invoked to cause her to prosper with offspring. The noble woman, endowed with self, is invited to come; the man is to sow the seed in her. May she bear offspring, carrying from her breasts the milk and the essence of the bull. She is urged to stand firm, majestic as Vishnu, O Sarasvati. May Sinivali be born, dwelling in the good favor of Bhaga. Let the wave rise and strike gently; O waters, release the bonds. May neither the evil-doer, nor the envious, nor the slayer of life, harm them. With gentle gaze, free from hostility, auspicious, gracious, well-disposed, and well-guided from the homes, may the bride, desiring sons and brothers-in-law, come seeking happiness. Thus, through sacred rites, prayers, and blessings, the bride is welcomed into her new life, surrounded by divine protection, prosperity, and the promise of harmony and fruitfulness.