In the sacred order of the world, there are cows that wander freely, untouched by worms or insects, and unharmed by any poison prepared against them. These gentle beings roam without fear, bringing blessings to the mortal who honors them with sacrifice. Cows are themselves a form of fortune, and in their presence, one glimpses the might of Indra. To desire cows is to desire the first and best portion of Soma, for these cows are Indra’s own, and with heart and mind, the wise yearn for Indra through them. These cows possess wondrous powers: they nurture even the weak, they bestow beauty upon the unlovely, and their presence makes every home auspicious. Their words are blessings, and their fame resounds in every assembly. They flourish in abundance—prolific, shining, pure—drinking clear waters from good streams. May no thief or slanderer ever rule over them; may Rudra’s fierce missile turn away from their path. Turning to the welfare of the noble kshatriya, a prayer rises to Indra: “Increase this kshatriya for me, make him the sole bull among the people. Drive away all his enemies so that I may triumph in every contest.” Grant him a share in the village, among horses and cows, a settled portion not to be taken by his adversaries. Let him stand highest among rulers, O Indra, and crush all his foes. May he be lord of wealth among the wealthy, chief among the people, their king. Bestow upon him great splendor, O Indra, and let his enemies be stripped of brilliance. Heaven and Earth, yield abundant riches for him, as milch-cows yield warm milk. May this king be beloved of Indra, cherished by cows, plants, and all cattle. Invoke Indra, the bringer of victory from the north, whose might ensures that men win and are never defeated. Let him make you the sole bull among men, the foremost among human kings. You, O king, are raised above your rivals; all adversaries are beneath you. As Indra’s friend, may you live long and your enemies be subdued, bringing in offerings and sustenance. With the lion’s form, consume all who oppose you; with the tiger’s form, drive away your enemies. As the sole bull, Indra’s companion, may you endure and bring in the food, while your enemies are subdued. In every household, the wise kindle Agni, the first-born, the Pāñcajanya, in many ways. To him they seek, for he enters all homes and releases from sin. As Jātavedas, Agni carries the offering and arranges the sacrifice with understanding, bringing the favor of the gods and freeing from sin. Agni is approached with the finest offerings and invoked through many acts. He destroys demons, increases the sacrifice, and is pleased with ghee. The well-born, all-pervading Vaiśvānara, the carrier of offerings, is called upon to release from sin. By his power, seers kindled their strength, the mighty subdued demons, and Indra conquered the Paṇis with fire. Through him, the gods attained immortality, created sweet plants, and reached the radiant sun. In Agni’s domain, all that shines, all that is born and yet to be born, abides. To this Agni, praised and sought for help, the prayer is raised: release us from sin. Indra, ever victorious and the slayer of Vṛtra, is honored. Hymns reach him, the doer of good who comes to the worshipper’s call—may he release from sin. Mighty among the mighty, strong-armed, he shattered the Dānavas’ strength and conquered the rivers and the cows. He is the bull among men, the knower of light, to whom the stones proclaim manliness, and whose sacrifice is most delightful to the seven priests. To him belong the strong, the bulls, the sprinklers; to him the singers of light are devoted, and for him pure Soma is pressed with sacred utterance. His favor is sought by those who offer Soma; he is invoked as the archer in battle, in whom the hymn finds rest and strength. First-born for deeds, his power known from the beginning, it was he who struck down the serpent with his thunderbolt. He leads armies in battle, uniting the strong and the weak. Those seeking help praise and call upon Indra—may he release from sin. The deeds of Vāyu and Savitṛ are honored, their power extending everywhere, as protectors of the paths and guardians of all. Their measured distances are the world’s boundaries; they fill the space between earth and sky, and none can surpass their approach. At their command, people settle; when Savitṛ rises and sets, all the worlds are protected by Vāyu and Savitṛ. They are invoked to drive away evil, demons, and sorcerers, bestowing strength and vigor. May they grant wealth, abundance, skill, and good fortune, removing all misfortune. With great favor and mighty assistance, may Savitṛ and Vāyu gladden hearts and direct their bounty towards us. The highest blessings of these two gods are established in the home, and their praise is sung, seeking release from sin. Heaven and Earth are honored as mighty and bountiful, conscious ones who have stretched out unmeasured distances and become the firm foundation of riches. Vast, divine, and greatly expanded, may they be kindly disposed and release from sin. Unwearied and full of warmth, Heaven and Earth are called upon, vast and deep, worthy of reverence by the wise. They bear the immortal, the offerings, the flowing streams, and all humankind. They carry the cows and the forest trees, and within them all beings find their home. Satisfied with libations and ghee, without whom nothing is possible, Heaven and Earth are praised. For whatever sorrows or errors belong to humankind, not to the gods, their help is sought: release us from sin. Finally, the Maruts are invoked—may they speak on behalf of the supplicant, granting strength and victory. Swift as horses harnessed for aid, may they, too, release from sin. Thus, the blessings of the cows, the strength of Indra, the purifying fire of Agni, the guardianship of Vāyu and Savitṛ, the vastness of Heaven and Earth, and the might of the Maruts are all woven together in prayer and praise, for prosperity, victory, and freedom from sin.