Yamī, in her sorrow, turned to her brother Yama and pleaded, “What is the value of a brother if he becomes helpless? What is a sister if misfortune overtakes her? If I have sinned in my longing, let the burden fall upon me. But, dear brother, I ask you—shield my body with your own.” But Yama answered her with gentle firmness, “Yamī, I am not your protector in this way, nor have I joined my body with yours. Seek your joy with another, not with your brother, O fortunate one, for your brother does not wish for this union.” He continued, “Nor would I ever join my body with yours. People call it evil when a sister approaches her brother in this manner. This thought, this desire, does not arise in me—it is not right for a brother to lie with his sister.” Yamī, despairing, cried, “Alas, Yama, I cannot find your heart or your mind. It seems that at your very birth, another woman, as a vine embraces a tree, has already become your companion.” Yama replied, “Yes, Yamī, another woman will embrace me at the time of union, just as a creeper winds around a tree. Let your heart turn toward another, and let hers turn to me. Between us all, let there be understanding and harmony.” As these words faded, the sages, the seers, perceived the manifold forms and the all-seeing One, composing three sacred meters. They saw that waters, winds, and plants—all things—are established together in a single world. The mighty bull, through his effort, drew forth the heavenly waters for the powerful, unassailable son of Aditi. Varuna, all-knowing and wise, worships the worthy seasons as is proper. May the Gandharvi and the woman both guard our minds with the river’s song. In the midst of all we desire, may Aditi place us securely; may our eldest brother be the first to speak, guiding us. Now, she who is radiant and blessed, full of glory, awakens for Manu, bearing the light of dawn. When the awakened follow the awakened, Agni, the priest, is kindled for the sacred rite. Then a splendid, perceptive drop, the mighty eagle, shines forth in the sacrifice. When noble people choose the excellent Agni as their priest, wisdom is born among them. Agni, ever joyful and nourished like barley by the offerings, is the self-sacrificing priest of humankind. When the inspired one chants the hymn, Agni brings forth abundant gifts and prizes. Awaken, O fathers, for the husband approaches, seeking fortune and the heart of his beloved. The fire observes and distinguishes the ritual; the powerful one is stirred, and the spirit trembles with thought. Whoever among mortals has won your favor, O Agni, son of strength, is heard even beyond this world. You bear and grant nourishment, adorned with horses, and protect the shining days. Hear us, Agni, in our homes and at our sacred seat. Harness the swift chariot of immortality, and bring to us the two worlds, daughters of the gods. Let us not be far from the gods in this place. Whenever this assembly gathers, O Agni, divine among gods, worshipful and worthy of worship, whatever treasures you distribute, O self-powered one, grant us a rich share here. Agni, the knower of all births, followed all the Dawns together, leading the days. He pursued the rays of the Sun and entered heaven and earth. He revealed all the Dawns, spreading the many rays of the Sun, and extended heaven and earth. In the beginning, heaven and earth became renowned through truth, speaking truth. When the god inspires mortals to worship, he sits as priest, facing them, breathing life into the rite. The god, surpassing all others by truth, brings our offering. The smoke-bannered, blazing, radiant, gentle, and eternal priest is most worthy in speech. I praise you both, O waters, smeared with ghee, to increase. Listen, O heaven and earth, O two worlds. When the gods sought the path of life by day, let our fathers refresh us with honey. The immortal of the gods, sustained on earth by you, O one born of the cow, is followed by all the gods when you milk the heavenly ghee. Who is the king who has taken us, and when will he come? What vow have we made, who knows? Even Mitra, while sacrificing, calls upon the gods. The hymn does not depart, yet there is strength. Let the evil-minded be far from the name of immortality, adorned with marks, who takes on many forms. O Agni, whoever thinks well of Yama, protect him swiftly and do not let him go astray. In whom the gods rejoice at the assembly, in the seat of Vivasvat they are established. They placed light in the sun, and around him, ever-moving, set the shining rays. In whom the gods move in thought, yet we do not know his lower nature. May Mitra, Aryaman, Savitar, and Varuna speak here on behalf of us, the blameless. Come, friends, let us seek prayers for Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, and praise the most heroic and mighty one. For by your might, O Indra, you are renowned, O slayer of Vritra. With gifts, O generous one, you surpass those who worship you. Like a plough that does not tire as it moves over the earth, may the great winds blow for us upon the ground. May Mitra, Varuna, and Agni, yoked together, not send forth their burning heat upon the forest. Let us praise the renowned one, deep-seated, king of peoples, formidable, mighty smiter. Being praised, O Rudra, be gracious to the worshipper; let your army strike others, not us. The worshippers call upon Sarasvati; at the sacrifice, in their striving, they call Sarasvati. The doers of good call upon Sarasvati; may she grant the worshipper the desired boon. The fathers, too, call upon Sarasvati, those who, with gifts, attend the sacrifice. Seated on this sacred grass, they rejoice; O sinless one, bestow food upon us. O Sarasvati, who comes with a chariot, delighting in hymns and your own powers, together with the fathers, grant the worshipper here a thousandfold share of food and wealth. May the lower, the higher, and the middle fathers, the Soma-enjoyers, arise—those who went forth with life, sinless, knowing the truth. May those fathers protect us at our offerings. I have heard of the wise fathers, and of the offspring and stride of Vishnu. Those seated on the sacred grass, who, by their own power, partake of the pressed Soma—may those fathers come here most willingly. Homage today to the fathers—those who are former, those who are later, those who have departed, those settled in the earthly region, or now in the well-peopled directions. Mātali with the Kavyas, Yama with the Angirases, Brihaspati, grown strong with the Rkvans; those whom the gods have strengthened, and those who are gods—may those fathers protect us at the offerings. This is indeed sweet, this is honeyed, this is strong, full of flavor; truly, no one who has tasted this, O Indra, can be overcome in battle. Honor with oblation Yama, the king, the gatherer of peoples, son of Vivasvat—he who has gone far, crossed great distances, and sought out many paths. Yama first found the path for us to follow; this pasture is not to be taken away. There our forefathers, the departed, have gone, those born of the same law, along the same path. O fathers seated on the sacred grass, come near with your aid. We have prepared these offerings for you—accept them. Come with favor, and bestow upon us health and freedom from sin.