In the ancient days, when the mysteries of life and death were newly woven, the gods made their choices. For themselves, they embraced death, but for their offspring, they did not seek immortality. It was Brihaspati, the wise seer, who stretched the sacrifice onward, and Yama, the lord of the departed, released his beloved form to the other world. Agni, the fire god, ever-knowing of all beings’ births, was invoked. Faithfully, he bore the fragrant offerings to the Fathers, the ancestors, granting them sustenance by his own power. The Fathers partook of these gifts, and Agni was called upon to consume the prepared oblations once more. As dawn unfolded, mortals gathered in her gentle lap, and through their devotion, they gained wealth for the worshipper. The Fathers were entreated to pass this wealth to their descendants, bestowing strength upon them here and now. Those ancestors who delighted in the sacrificial fire were invited to return, to sit in their honored seats, and to partake of the offerings laid upon the sacred grass. In exchange, they were asked to grant abundance and valor to their kin. The Fathers, joyful with Soma and called upon with love, were summoned to their cherished resting places. May they come, may they listen, may they speak blessings over the living, and may they guard their descendants. The grandfathers and great-grandfathers, those who followed the path and drank Soma in the world of the ancestors, were remembered. May Yama, rejoicing in their company, accept the offerings, granting to each ancestor according to his wish. Among the gods, there were those who, eager and skilled in ritual, composed hymns and praises. Agni was called to bring these thousand honored seers, true and wise, to sit at the sacred libation. With Indra and the gods, those who rode together, the true ones—eaters of offering, drinkers of oblation—were invited, both the ancient and recent seers, to join at the hot libation. Then, attention turned to Mother Earth. She, broad and kind, far-reaching and rich in wool, was asked to favor the departed, especially from her southern realm, and to guard him on his journey ahead. Earth was entreated to rise up and not press down, to be gentle and easy for him to traverse. Like a mother wrapping her child, she was asked to enfold him with loving care. May the earth, rising, stand firm and bear a thousand blessings. May her homes, flowing with ghee, be pleasant and all her shelters welcoming. The boundary of earth was set gently for the departed, with a prayer not to harm her. The Fathers were invoked to support this sacred pillar, and Yama was asked to grant a peaceful resting place. Agni was reminded not to consume the ritual bowl, for it was dear to the gods and the Soma-drinkers. This vessel was for the gods to rejoice in, for the immortal ones to share. Atharvan, the ancient priest, once carried the full bowl to Indra the victorious, and in it, the portion for the doer of good was made, with Soma flowing, all-giving. If any black bird, ant, serpent, or beast had touched the departed, Agni was asked to render all such things harmless, and Soma too, especially if it had entered the Brahman's food. The cleansing milk of plants, the milk-rich, and the waters’ milk were all invoked together for purification. Women who were not widowed, good wives, were called to anoint with ointment and clarified butter. Free from tears, free from sickness, rich in treasures, they were to ascend to the gathering at the forefront of new birth. The departed was bid to go forth with the Fathers, with Yama, with his offerings and good deeds, to the highest heaven. Leaving behind all blame, he was to return again to the setting, and those of radiant form were to go with his body. The Fathers of the father, the grandfathers who dwell in the vast midspace, were asked to guide the living righteously, shaping their bodies according to ancestral will. May the mist and dew be auspicious, bringing gentle refreshment, and may well-being come even in the coolness and waters of the frog. The fire was to be appeased for the departed. Vivasvat, the all-knowing, generous, and long-lived, was invoked for safety. May many heroes be present, rich in cattle and horses, and may prosperity remain. Vivasvat was asked to establish immortality for the people, to let death depart and keep the immortal near, to protect from old age, and to ensure that vital breaths did not go to Yama prematurely. The sage who upholds the midspace, wise among the Fathers, was to be honored with offerings. May Yama grant safe passage through life. The seers were encouraged to ascend to the highest heaven without fear, for the offering was made for them, and the highest light had been reached. Agni, shining with great radiance, was seen as a signal, roaring between heaven and earth, rising even at the ends of the sky. The great buffalo grew in the lap of the waters. In the sky, the beautiful-winged one flew, and those who searched with their hearts saw him—the golden-winged messenger of Varuṇa, the swift bird in Yama’s abode. Indra was asked to bring strength as a father does for his sons, to teach the right path so that the living may attain the radiant light. The jars covered with cakes, set by the gods, were to be full of sweet, overflowing offerings. The grains, mixed with sesame and rich in offering, were scattered in abundance and power, hoping that King Yama would accept them. The tree was asked to return what was placed within it, and the departed was to sit at Yama’s seat, speaking in the assembly. Jātavedas, the fire, was called to seize with strong brilliance, to burn the body completely, and grant a world among the righteous. All ancestors—those who went before and those yet to come—were wished a stream of ghee, flowing with a hundred streams, that it may reach them. The soul was urged to ascend the wind, purified and shining, to go forth without turning back, to the world of the Fathers, the first ones. Jātavedas was then asked to ascend to Mother Earth along the paths of the Fathers, to carry the sacrificer to the world of the righteous, yoked and sent forth by the oblation. The gods, immortal through sacrifice, prepared the offerings, cakes, ladles, and implements, and with these, the departed was to proceed along the divine paths by which sacrificers reach heaven. Angiras was called to look upon the path of truth, the righteous way by which the virtuous ascend. With these paths, the soul was to reach the heaven where the Adityas dwell in sweetness, to rise to the third heaven and take his place there. Three splendid birds, guardians of the upper realm, stood on the ridge of heaven in the highest expanse. The heavenly worlds, filled with immortality, offered nourishment and strength to the sacrificer. As all these rites and prayers were performed, a final invocation was made: Let the rivers flow together, let the winds unite, let the birds gather. May the sacrifice increase, and with a flowing offering, the oblation was made with sacred words. May the sacrifice be protected and poured forth, growing in all directions, as forms and ages join and embrace, and the four directions themselves bless and increase the offering—each word a stream in the great river of devotion.