Crossing the threshold between worlds, the soul is guided to the realm of the well-horsed, well-served ancestors, or perhaps to a newer crossing, borne by those who carry the departed. The one who struck the blow, who is destined for his own end, shall have no further share in this journey. Yama, the lord of the departed, stands farther off, while Vivasvat, the radiant one, is closer at hand. Beyond these, nothing more can be seen. Upon Yama’s sacrificial ground, the body has been placed, and Vivasvat has stretched it upon the earth. In the beginning, the immortal was set apart from mortals, a special distinction made for Vivasvat. The two Ashvins, divine twins, carried away what was given, and Saranyu, their mother, left behind her two children. Now, Agni, gather here all the Fathers—those who were buried, those laid above, those burned, and those left exposed—so they may partake of the offerings. Among them are those consumed by fire and those untouched by it, who rejoice in heaven by their own power. You, Jātavedas, knower of all, are aware of them; may they accept our sacrifice and offerings with favor. O Agni, do not burn the departed excessively, nor scorch his body. Let your force remain in the wood, and let your brightness rest upon the earth. This resting place is given to him; let him who has come here belong to me, if he is present. Yama, knowing all, replies: let this one remain among my treasures here. Let us measure out the span of life, ensuring that we do not fall short of what is allotted, so that we may reach a hundred autumns before our time is done. Again and again, let us measure out this span, seeking to fulfill our destined years, striving to reach a hundred autumns. May I not be parted from my mother; may I attain the heavenly realm and be blessed with long life. May I not depart before my time, nor be struck down among a hundred arrows, nor leave before my appointed hour. Breath, outgoing breath, diffused breath, life, and sight for seeing the sun—all these, by the unerring path, journey to the ancestors under the rule of Yama. Those who were foremost, who rejoiced and passed beyond, leaving behind hatred and childlessness, discovered the heavenly world, shining on the summit of the sky. The sky is filled with water, the middle region is abundant, and the third, called the highest heaven, is where the ancestors dwell. To the fathers of our father, our grandfathers, who entered the vast midspace and watch over earth and sky, we offer reverent homage. Now, you will not see the sun in the sky again. As a mother wraps her child, so may the earth enfold you. You will not see old age or anything else hereafter. As a wife wraps her husband with a garment, so may the earth enfold you. I wrap you with the auspicious garment of Mother Earth. May good fortune be with the living, sustenance with the ancestors, and may it be with you as well. Agni and Soma, the makers of the path, have established the precious abode among the gods. Let Pūṣan, who carries the departed swiftly along the paths, send them forth. May Pūṣan, wise and protector of beings, guide your way, he who loses no cattle. He gives to the ancestors, and Agni gives to the gods who bestow good gifts. May the life-force, universal and all-encompassing, protect you on every side. May Pūṣan guard you on the forward path. Where the righteous dwell, where they have gone, there may the god Savitṛ place you. I yoke these two fires for you, to lead forth your breath. With them, may you reach the seat of Yama and the assembly of the departed. Here is your first garment, which you wore in this world; now let it depart. Pass onward, wise one, to the reward of your offerings and good deeds, where your gifts are distributed among many relatives. Put on the armor of Agni, surrounded by cows. Cloak yourself with fat and marrow. May you, strong and eager, be led forth swiftly, reaching your destination without delay. Taking the staff from your hand, with your departing breath, with hearing, brilliance, and strength—may we, together, heroic, overcome all hostilities and adversaries. Taking the bow from the hand of the deceased, with power, brilliance, and strength—gathering wealth and nourishment, let the living return to their world. Now, the woman, choosing the world of her husband, steps forward to the departed, following the ancient law. Place here for her offspring and wealth. Rise, woman, return to the world of the living. Join this one whose breath has departed. By the grasp of the hand, you have become the mother of your husband; you are united with him. I saw a young woman, living, being led away, set apart from the dead, enveloped in darkness, but I brought her back by the former path. O sinless one, you know the world of the living, following the path of the gods. Here is your guardian; accept him, and ascend to the heavenly world with him. Rise up to the sky, rise to the sacred grass, descend to the rivers; O Agni, we remove the bile from the waters. Whomever you, Agni, have equally consumed, extinguish him again; let him rise here with water, with sacred grass, with spreading shoots. This is your place before, and that is your place; with the third light, enter together. In the resting place, unite with your body, becoming dear to the gods in the highest abode. Rise, go forth, move to your dwelling in the waters; there, united with the Fathers, rejoice with Soma, rejoice with the offerings. Shake off your body, gather yourself together; let not your limbs nor your body be scattered. Enter with a settled mind, go where you are welcomed on earth. May the Fathers who delight in Soma anoint me with radiance, may the gods with honey and ghee; may they grant me sight and increase my old age, even with a toothless mouth. Thus, through these sacred invocations and blessings, the journey from this world to the next is sanctified, the living and the departed are cared for, and the bonds of family and ancestors are honored in reverence and hope.