Gathered in solemn reverence, the community sits, right knee bent, invoking all the gods to accept their offering. With humble hearts, they pray that the Fathers—those departed ancestors—bring no harm for any human errors committed, seeking forgiveness and peace. The divine craftsman Tvaṣṭṛ, in his wisdom, creates a husband for his daughter, thereby uniting the entire world. In a moment of greatness, the mother of Yama, embraced, disappears as the wife of Vivasvat, signifying the mystery of cosmic relationships. Now, the soul is urged to journey forth, to walk upon the ancient paths trodden by forefathers. There, in those realms, Yama and Varuṇa, both kings, are seen rejoicing in their domains, welcoming those who come. The departed is called to move away, to scatter in all directions, for the Fathers have shaped this world for him. By the cycles of days, the flow of waters, and the passage of nights, Yama grants him his place of rest. With brightness and radiance, the sacred fire is kindled, ablaze with light. The bright and radiant flames are summoned to bring the Fathers to the offering, to the sacrificial fire, so that the ancestors may partake. May the Angirases, the Navagvas, the Atharvans, the Bhṛgus, and those rich in Soma—the ancient seers and Fathers—look upon us with favor and a gracious mind, for they are worthy of sacrifice. Yama is invited, along with the noble Angirases and the multiform ones, to delight in the offering. Vivasvat, Yama’s father, is called to sit upon the sacred grass, joining the assembly in ritual. Yet, Yama is cautioned: do not ascend this sacred grass, but join with the Angirases and Fathers. To you, O king, let the hymns composed by sages be brought; rejoice in this offering. From this place, the Angirases have ascended, rising to the heights of heaven as victorious ones, following the path to the sky. For Yama, Soma is purified, and the offering is made. The sacrifice is sent to Yama, prepared and delivered by Agni, the divine messenger. The sweetest, honeyed oblation is offered to Yama, as homage to the ancient seers and forefathers who made the paths before us. Ghee and milk are offered to Yama, the king, with prayers for long life among the living. Agni is beseeched: do not burn or scorch the departed fiercely; do not consume his skin or body. When you have cooked him, O Jātavedas, send him forth to the Fathers. Once purified, Agni is asked to deliver the soul to the Fathers. If the soul strays onto the path of unrighteousness, it becomes subject to the powers of the gods. With the three Kadrus, Soma is purified; with six broad vessels, the offering is made. All the meters—Triṣṭubh and Gāyatrī—are dedicated to Yama. The soul is instructed: go with your eye to the sun, with your breath to the wind; ascend to heaven and earth by righteousness. Or, if you wish, go to the waters or remain among the plants with your body. The unborn portion is of austerity; practice austerity for that. Let your flame burn, let your light shine for that purpose. With auspicious forms, O Jātavedas, carry the soul to the world of the righteous. Jātavedas is called upon: let your swift, shining flames, which fill the sky and midspace, follow the one who is led forth, purifying him with your most auspicious flames. Agni is asked to release, to the Fathers, the one who moves about with oblations, and let the remainder, clothed in life, approach and join together, shining in body. The soul is guided past Yama’s two dogs, Sārameya, four-eyed and mottled, along the good path, to approach the Fathers who rejoice at the feast with Yama. Yama’s dogs, guardians who sit on the path and observe men, are entrusted with the soul; the king is petitioned to grant safety and freedom from harm. These wide-nosed, eager, fig-wood colored messengers of Yama roam among people; may they return us to sight, to the Sun, granting well-being and life. Soma flows for some, clarified butter for others; honey streams forth for others. May the soul go to them, O gods. Those who followed truth, born and grown by truth—the seers, ascetic, born of austerity—may the soul join them, O Yama. Those invincible through austerity, who reached heaven by their tapas, who performed great austerities—may the soul join them as well, O gods. Those who fought in battles, the heroes, who sacrificed their bodies for their people, and those who gave a thousand gifts—may the soul join them as well. The thousand-guided sages who guard the Sun, the ascetic seers born of austerity—may the soul join them as well, O Yama. The Earth is invoked to be gentle to the departed, unshaking and secure, granting broad shelter and rest. In the wide, unconfined space of the earth, the soul is laid down; may the offerings made, full of sweetness, be for him. The soul is called with mind and thought, invited to dwell in these homes, to go together with the Fathers and Yama, brought favorably by gentle winds. May the Maruts carry the soul up, may the upward bearers lift him; making him cool with the goat, may the rain moisten him, O child. Rising up, may his life be for life, strength, skill, and living; let his mind go to its own, then run to the Fathers. Let not his mind go to the month, nor to the organs, nor to his sap; let not any part of his limbs or body remain here. Let not the tree oppress him, nor the great divine Earth; may he find his place among the Fathers, among the kings of Yama. Whatever part has gone far—breath, life, or anything else—may the gathered ancestors seat it again, portion by portion. The living ones weep for him; he is carried out from the houses, from the village. Death, the wise messenger of Yama, leads his life-breaths to the Fathers. Those evil ones who have entered among the Fathers, who move as kin but are unoffered, who bear away the offerings and carry fire, are asked to be driven far from this sacrifice. May the Fathers enter here together, making a pleasant resting place, granting long life. May we, offering oblations to them, live many autumns, never failing in vigor. The cow is pressed for food; by her, let the one who sat here alive be the sustainer of the people. Thus, through ritual, prayer, and offering, the journey of the soul is honored, guided to join the ancestors, and the living are blessed with the favor of the gods and the Fathers.