In the quiet light of morning, the people turn their thoughts to Bhaga, the mighty and victorious son of Aditi, the divine distributor of fortune. Whether one feels oppressed, swift in action, or even a king, all acknowledge that Bhaga is the true giver of their share. With heartfelt prayers, they call upon Bhaga: “Guide us forth, O true bestower. Grant us this thought; bring us cows and horses, and let us stand as men among men.” They long to be fortunate—not just in the early hours, but throughout the day, and especially at the rising of the generous Sun, hoping to remain in the favor of the gods. They wish that Bhaga alone, the divine Bhaga, be their portion, so that through him, fortune may smile upon them. Their hearts call out for Bhaga to lead them. As dawns rich in sacrifice bow down, much like Dadhikrāvan following his pure path, the people pray that these dawns bring Bhaga near, the giver of wealth, arriving swiftly like horses drawing a chariot. They wish for dawns abundant in horses, cows, and sons to rise always, auspicious and milking ghee from all sides, protecting them with well-being. Meanwhile, the wise prepare for the day’s labor. They yoke the ploughs, lay out the yokes, each with care, seeking favor among the gods. They urge: “Yoke the ploughs, lay out the yokes, sow the seed in the prepared furrow. May the furrow, the share, the plough, and the team be ours, and may the nearest clods yield ripe grain.” With a strong, well-made plough, fitted with a good yoke, they open the earth, hoping to turn up wealth and cows. The team moves forward, the ploughshare and the goad ready. They pray for Indra to take possession of Sītā, the earth goddess, and for Pūṣan to protect her well, so that she, rich in milk, yields abundant produce season after season. The ploughers strike the earth with good furrows, laborers follow the teams, and all hope that the plough and yoke, pleased with the offering, and the fruitful plants, will grant their desires. They wish prosperity for the teams, the men, and the plough itself, with straps well tied and the goad raised high. They call out: “O plough and yoke, be pleased with us. Whatever milk you have made in the sky, pour it down upon this field.” They honor Sītā, asking her to be gracious and fruitful, anointed with ghee and honey, approved by all the gods and Maruts. They pray that Sītā may pour forth milk, abounding in strength and rich in ghee, ever increasing. In another moment, a woman seeks the strongest of herbs, hoping to drive away a rival wife and find favor with her husband. She calls upon Uttānaparṇī, honored by the gods and full of power, to drive away her co-wife and make her husband belong to her alone. She wishes her rival, whose name is unspoken and who does not delight in the husband, to be sent far away. She affirms her own superiority, declaring herself exalted while her co-wife is low. She proclaims victory and calls upon Uttānaparṇī to help her overcome her rival. Approaching the victorious herb, she asks that her mind not follow after her rival, just as a cow follows her calf or water flows along its path. Elsewhere, a priest sharpens his prayer, his strength, and his royal power, hoping to be victorious. He seeks equality in sovereignty and strength among his people, and with his offering, he aims to cut off the arms of his enemies. He prays that those who oppose their generous lord may walk low and be beneath them, while his own people are led upward. He declares that those for whom he is priest are sharper than the axe, fire, or even Indra’s thunderbolt. He wishes to be united with their weapons, to increase their heroic kingdom, and for their royal power to be ageless and victorious, with all the gods protecting their minds. He invokes the neighing of Maghavan’s victorious horses and the cries of victory, banners raised, as the gods—Indra and the Maruts—advance with the army. He urges the men to go forth and win, with mighty arms, sharp arrows, strong bows, and deadly weapons, striking down the weak. He releases the arrow, sharpened by prayer, to fly far and conquer enemies, advancing forward to strike down their best and keep himself unharmed. Turning to Agni, the priest recalls the fire’s origin, from which it was born and shone, asking Agni to ascend and increase their wealth. Agni is invited to speak for them, to be kindly disposed, and to grant favor, for Agni is their giver of wealth. They call upon Aryaman, Bhaga, Bṛhaspati, and the gracious goddesses to bestow wealth. They seek help from King Soma, Agni, Āditya, Viṣṇu, Sūrya, and Bṛhaspati, the priest. Agni, with the other fires, is asked to increase their prayer and sacrifice, urging on wealth for giving and receiving. Indra and Vāyu are invoked, easily called, so that all people may be well-disposed in assembly, and that both the giver and seeker of gifts may be favorable. Aryaman, Bṛhaspati, Indra, Vāta, Viṣṇu, Sarasvatī, and Savitṛ, the bestower of strength, are all urged to give. At the outpouring of strength, they pray to unite, that all these worlds may be within them, and that the wise may inspire the generous giver to grant wealth abounding in heroes. They wish for the five regions and the wide earth to yield according to strength, so that all desires may be attained with mind and heart. They hope to utter speech rich as a herd of cows, to be granted brilliance, for Vāyu to restrain from all sides, and for Tvaṣṭṛ to bestow prosperity. Finally, they honor the fires in all places: in waters, in obstacles, in people, in stones, and in plants and trees. To all those fires, they offer their reverence, completing their prayers in gratitude and hope.