In ancient times, our forefathers, the venerable ones who delighted in truth, shone with purity and radiance. Praised by hymns, they broke through the darkness of the earth, their deeds driving away all obscurity. These noble ancestors, performers of good works and devoted to the gods like the gods themselves, were firmly established in their divine origins. Pure in heart, they strengthened Agni and Indra, and for their descendants, they created wide gatherings rich in cattle and abundance. Like a herd flourishing in fertile pastures, the mighty one revealed the divine origins to all. Even mortals, yearning for immortality, strive for growth and elevation, seeking the highest abodes, O noble one. Yet, we ourselves have not accomplished such deeds; instead, we have entered into the path of truth. The radiant dawns shine forth upon us. May all that is auspicious, protected by the gods, be ours; may we speak with greatness in the assembly, strong and blessed with good sons. May Indra, accompanied by the Maruts, protect us from the east, upholding the earth with his mighty arms as if it were above the sky. We offer worship to those who have shaped the worlds and the paths, those present here to receive the offerings of the gods. May Dhātṛ guard us from the south, with the earth upheld by his arms as if above the sky. Again, we worship those creators of worlds and paths, present among us as recipients of divine offerings. From the west, may Aditi and the Ādityas shield us, cradling the earth in her arms, as if above the sky. We honor those who made the worlds and the ways, present here for the gods’ offerings. May Soma, with all the gods, protect us from the north, the earth secure in his embrace, as if above the sky. To those who shaped the worlds and the paths, ever-present recipients of the gods’ gifts, we offer our worship. May the Upholder, the supporter, sustain you; may Savitṛ raise you upward, your radiance shining above the sky. We honor those who have made the worlds and the paths, ever present with us. In each direction—east, south, west, north, the fixed direction, and the upward direction—once enveloped, now I place you in your proper portion, with the earth upheld by its arms, as if above the sky. In all these directions, we worship the creators of the worlds and the paths, who are here to receive the offerings of the gods. You are the supporter, the foundation, the one born of the lineage. You are filled with water, with honey, with wind. May protection come to me from all sides, as Yama, the steadfast one, strives on his journey. The worshipful, devoted to the gods, bring you forth; may you both dwell in your own world, knowing it well. Indra, may you remain in your own place for us. With reverence, we join you to the ancient prayer, which spreads forth like a poet upon the path. May all the immortals hear these words. He, who followed three steps in form, then approached the four-footed by observance, measures out the hymn with the imperishable, purifying it at the navel of immortality. For the sake of the gods, he chose death; for offspring, why did he not choose immortality? Brihaspati, the seer, extended the sacrifice, and Yama released his beloved form. Agni, invoked and knower of all births, you have carried the fragrant offerings, delivering them to the Fathers by your own power; they have partaken. Now, O god, consume the prepared oblations. Seated in the lap of the dawns, mortals have obtained wealth for the worshipper. Fathers, grant that wealth to his sons and bestow strength here. Fathers who have enjoyed the sacrificial fire, come, sit in your proper seats, well-guided; partake of the prepared oblations on the sacred grass and grant us wealth with all our heroes. Our fathers, delighted with Soma, called upon on the sacred grass in their cherished resting places—may they come, may they hear, may they speak blessings over us, and may they protect us. Those who are our fathers’ fathers and grandfathers, who came before, drinkers of Soma and the most excellent—may Yama, rejoicing with them, partake of the oblations, each according to his wish. Those among the gods who were eager, striving, skilled in rites, composers of hymns—O Agni, bring a thousand god-honored, true, and wise seers, sitting at the hot libation. Those true ones, eaters of the offering, drinkers of the oblation, who ride with Indra and the gods—O Agni, come with the generous, with both earlier and later seers, to the hot libation. Draw near to this earth, broad and far-stretching, kindly as a mother. Earth, rich in wool, may the southern part favor you and guard you on the path ahead. Rise up, O earth, do not press down; be easy to approach and to pass over. As a mother wraps her child, so cover him, O earth. May the earth, standing firm, rise up; let a thousand measures rest upon her. May your homes, flowing with ghee, be pleasant; may all shelters here welcome him. I set up this earth for you, I lay down this boundary; let me not harm you. The fathers support this pillar; may Yama make your resting place there. O Agni, do not consume this bowl; it is dear to the gods and to those with Soma. This bowl is for the gods to drink; in it, may the immortal gods find joy. Atharvan carried the full bowl for Indra, the victorious; in it, he prepares the portion for the doer of good, and in it, the Soma flows, all-giving. Whatever black bird, ant, serpent, or beast has touched you, may Agni render all that harmless, and Soma too, which has entered the Brahman's food. Let the plants rich in milk, the milk-rich, my milk, and the milk of the waters—may all that milk together cleanse me. Let these women, not widowed, good wives, anoint with ointment and clarified butter; free from tears, free from sickness, rich in treasures, let them ascend to the gathering at the forefront of birth. Go forth together with the Fathers, together with Yama, with your offerings and good deeds, to the highest heaven. Leaving all blame behind, return again to the setting, and let those of bright form go together with your body. Those who are the Fathers of our father, those grandfathers who have entered the wide midspace—may their righteous guidance today shape our bodies according to their will. May the mist be auspicious for you, may the dew fall gently upon you; in the cold, in the coolness, in the refreshing delight; in the water where the frog dwells, may there be well-being for you—may this fire be appeased for him.