In the sacred dawn of invocation, the seeker turns to the ancient guardians of the world. Heaven and Earth, revered since time immemorial, are called upon to bring peace. The sky is wished to be auspicious for the eyes, while the plants and forests are entreated to be gracious. The lord of the region, victorious, is asked to bestow tranquility. The prayer expands, reaching out to Indra, the mighty god, to be gracious alongside the Vasus. Varuṇa, with the radiant Ādityas, is invoked for good favor. Rudra, with his host of Rudras and the waters, is called to bring peace, and Tvaṣṭṛ, with the goddesses, is asked to listen kindly. Soma, as Brahman, is entreated to be gracious, while the pressing stones, the sacrifices, and the friends of the gods are all called to bring peace. The altar itself is invoked for tranquility. The Sun, wide in vision, is wished to rise for peace. The four directions, the steadfast mountains, the rivers, and all waters are invoked for their graciousness. Aditi, with her vows, is called to bring peace, as are the Maruts, shining with light. Viṣṇu and Pūṣan, the purifier and Vāyu, are all asked to grant peace. Savitṛ, the divine protector, is invoked for peace, as are the dawns shining forth. Parjanya is asked to bring peace to the offspring, and the lord of the field, the beneficent, is called to bestow tranquility. The lords of truth are entreated for peace, and even swift horses and cows are wished to be peaceful. The skillful Ribhus are invoked, and the ancestors are asked to be favorable in offerings. All the gods and deities are called to bring peace; Sarasvati, with wisdom, is invoked to be present. Healers and bestowers of gifts are entreated, as are the divine, earthly, and watery beings. Aja Ekapad, the god, is called for peacefulness, as are Ahirbudhnya and the ocean. The offspring of the waters are wished to be favorable, and Prishni, the divine protector, is invoked for peace. The Adityas, Rudras, and Vasus are asked to accept this newly performed prayer. Divine and earthly beings, those born of cows, and those worthy of sacrifice are all called to listen. Priests of the gods, immortal knowers of truth, and the worshipful ones of Manu are entreated to grant wide-ranging glory today and to always protect with blessings. A heartfelt plea is made: Let it be so, O Mitra and Varuna, let it be so, O Agni. May this blessing be ours. May we attain depth and a firm foundation. Homage is paid to the great heaven, the seat of dwelling. Dawn, the best of sisters, turns the path toward brightness, well-born. Through her, the seeker asks to obtain wealth bestowed by the gods, to rejoice, strong with a hundred powers and good sons. Then, the arms of Indra, strong and mighty, splendid and powerful like bulls, are invoked to carry the seeker across. They are harnessed at the first call to action, by which enemies were conquered and the heavenly world attained. Indra, swift and fierce as a bull, terrifying and thundering, shaking the peoples, tumultuous and unblinking, a solitary hero with a hundred armies, is celebrated for his conquest. With tumult and unblinking might, with victorious, bold force, Indra is called upon to conquer and stand together in battle. Men are urged to join the mighty one who holds the arrow in his hand. Indra leads the host in battle with those who hold arrows, bear quivers, and are obedient. The winner of contests, drinker of Soma, strong-armed and fierce with his bow, stands with those who resist. Indra’s wisdom in strength, steadfastness, supreme heroism, power, victory, endurance, and fierceness are praised. He is asked to stand on the chariot, rich in cattle, as the victorious one and subduer of enemies. Friends are called to rejoice together in this hero, this fierce Indra, to join with him. Victor in the village, victor in cattle, with arms like thunderbolts, triumphant in the race, crushing with his might. Indra assaults the enclosures with force, taking them, advancing with a hundred wraths. Unyielding, destroyer of hosts, unconquered in battle, he is invoked to protect the army in the fight. Brihaspati is called to circle around with his chariot, slaying demons and driving away foes, breaking enemies and crushing adversaries, purifying the people. Indra is wished to be the leader, Brihaspati the right hand, sacrifice the front, Soma the advance. Among the divine hosts that break through and conquer, the Maruts are wished to go in the midst. The cry of the gods is called to arise in victory—Indra, mighty, Varuna the king, the Adityas, the fierce host of the Maruts, the great-minded, the movers of the worlds. Indra is wished to be on the banners in battle, arrows to be victorious, heroes to be the best, and the gods to protect during offerings. The conclusion is prayed to be auspicious; Heaven and Earth are entreated to be gracious. All directions are wished to be free from enmity; safety is sought, and the assurance is given: truly, we do not hate you. Indra is invoked to remove fear, to drive away foes, scatter haters, and destroy assailants. Indra, the generous, is called for favor and prosperity among bipeds and quadrupeds. No hostile army is wished to overpower; Indra is asked to destroy malicious plots near and far. Indra, protector and slayer of Vṛtra, mighty and excellent, is invoked to guard as the seeker moves, in the midst, behind, and before. The wise one is asked to lead to a broad space, to grant a radiant, fearless, and auspicious world. The seeker wishes to dwell under the shelter of Indra’s mighty, enduring arms. The midspace, Heaven, and Earth are all invoked to make the seeker fearless. Safety is wished behind, before, above, and below. Safety is sought from friend and foe, kin and those ahead, by night and by day. All regions are wished to become friends. The seeker asks to be without rivals in front and for safety behind. Savitar is invoked to protect on the right, and the Lord of Power on the left. The Ādityas are called to guard from the sky, Agnis from the earth. Indra and Agni are invoked to guard in front, the Aśvins to grant shelter all around. Jātavedas, the all-knowing, is called to protect from across, and beings are asked to form armor on every side. Agni, with the Vasus, is asked to guard in front; the seeker steps into him, takes refuge, and enters his fortress, entrusting themselves for protection—svāhā. Vāyu, with the midspace, is invoked to guard in this direction; the seeker steps into him, takes refuge, enters his fortress, entrusting themselves—svāhā. Soma, with the Rudras on the right, is called to guard; the seeker steps into him, takes refuge, enters his fortress, entrusting themselves—svāhā. Varuṇa, with the Ādityas, is invoked to guard in this direction; the seeker steps into him, takes refuge, enters his fortress, entrusting themselves—svāhā. Sūrya, with Heaven and Earth from the west, is called to guard; the seeker steps into him, takes refuge, enters his fortress, entrusting themselves—svāhā. The Waters, rich in herbs, are invoked to guard; the seeker steps into them, takes refuge, enters their fortress, entrusting themselves—svāhā. Viśvakarman, with the Seven Sages from the north, is called to guard; the seeker steps into him, takes refuge, enters his fortress, entrusting themselves—svāhā. Thus, surrounded by the powers and blessings of the gods, the seeker stands protected, embraced by the universe, upheld by the divine guardians in every direction, and at every moment.