In ancient times, the Gandharva dug up a wondrous plant for Varuna, meant for those who had passed away. Today, that same sacred herb is dug up anew, offered to bring joy and release from bondage. As the Sun rises, so too does the power of speech, and Prajapati, the mighty bull, awakens with vigor and strength. Just as the roots of this plant remain unscorched, untouched by fire, may its essence grant renewed vitality. Indra, let the potent strength of herbs, the virility of bulls, be placed in the one who controls his body. The sap of waters, the first-born of trees, and the brotherhood with Soma—all these are the virility of the stallion, flowing into the chosen one. On this day, the divine powers are invoked: Agni, Savitar, Sarasvati, and Brahmanaspati. May they stretch out the fetters as easily as a bowstring is drawn. The bonds are loosened, just as a bowstring is released, and like a red deer stepping forth, the spirit emerges, tireless and free. The vigor of horses, mules, goats, rams, and bulls is summoned and placed within the self-controlled soul. From the depths of the ocean rose the thousand-horned bull, a mighty being whose presence lulls all people to sleep. The wind ceases to blow, vision is veiled, and Indra’s friend moves about, sending women into restful slumber—those on the floor, on couches, those to be carried away, those with auspicious fragrance—all are lulled to sleep. Both the moving and unmoving, the grasp of sight and breath, the grasp of limbs—all are subdued, surpassing even the darkest night. Whoever sits, moves, stands, or sees—their eyes are closed, as the doors of a house are shut. Mothers, fathers, dogs, householders, relatives, all those nearby—let them sleep, as Sleep, with its gentle power, brings rest to all. Others are lulled away to the sun, but the speaker remains awake, unharmed and unwearied, like Indra. The Brahman was born first, with ten heads and faces; he drank Soma and fashioned tasteless poison. As far as heaven and earth stretch, as far as the seven rivers flow, the speech that purifies poison is spoken here. The eagle, Garutmat, first carried the poison, but it never reached mouth or limb, nor became part of the father. Even one who sits with five fingers, crooked from the bow, has had the poison spoken out from the splinter. From splinter, reed, leaf, bone, horn, and lump, the poison is drawn out. Arrows and darts are sapless, as is the poison; even the bow, made from a sapless tree, is devoid of sap. Those who have shot, struck, sat, or let loose are rendered impotent, and the poison-mountain itself is made impotent. The diggers of poison are impotent, the herb is impotent, and the mountain whence the poison was born is powerless. The water-retaining plant growing on the Varana tree restrains the poison; nectar sprinkled there holds it back. Eastern and northern poisons are sapless, and the southern one is rendered harmless with gruel. Prepare gruel, drink it sideways, hot and abundant; hunger has harmed, but eating will restore. Intoxication is cast down from the intoxicated, like an arrow; agitation is restrained with words, as with a charm. With words, the gathering is restrained, like a village; standing firm like a tree, unmoved, there is no harm. Purifiers surround the afflicted, distant and unblemished; the herb is scattered, yet unmoved and unharmed. The first ones who acted without reaching shall not harm the heroes; let them be set before us. The being places milk among beings and becomes their lord; even death moves in his royal consecration, and the king approves. The call is to go forth, not falter, to be fierce and wise, to slay rivals, and stand firm, for the gods have spoken. All beings adorn themselves around the steadfast one, radiant and splendid. This is the great name of the mighty Asura—the immortal of manifold forms stands firm. Like a tiger among tigers, stride forth, traverse the vast directions; may all waters, heavenly and milky, desire you. The heavenly waters rejoice with milk, whether in the atmosphere or on earth; their radiance is sprinkled upon you. With this radiance, with heavenly, milky waters, you are blessed as the increaser of friends, and Savitar makes you so. Embracing the tiger, they urge on the lion for great fortune; like the ocean, the strong one stands firm, and the panther is cleansed in the waters. Come, living one, protected, to the imperishable mouth of the mountain; the gods’ enclosure is given for the sake of life. You are the protector of men, cows, horses, and those without strength. You are also the guardian, the spell against sorcery, the ointment; you know the nectar, the food of the living, and the green medicine.