Among the gods, Indra stands foremost—a mighty bull among men, radiant knower of light, his strength proclaimed by the very stones of sacrifice. His is the offering attended by seven priests, the most delightful of rites. To him, the strong, the bulls, and those who sprinkle the sacred libations belong; the singers of light are devoted to him, and for him the pure Soma is pressed, adorned with sacred words. All who offer Soma desire his favor, invoking him as the archer in battle, for in him the hymns find their resting place and in him lies all strength. Indra was first born for the performance of great deeds, his power known from the very beginning—he who, with his uplifted thunderbolt, struck down the serpent. He leads armies in battle, uniting the strong and the weak, and to him, seeking refuge and help, the devotee turns in praise, asking Indra to release all from sin. Next, the worship turns to Vāyu and Savitṛ, honoring their deeds wherever their power extends. These two, who protect the paths and have become guardians of all, are invoked to release humanity from sin. The measure of their strides marks the boundaries of the worlds, and by them the space between earth and sky is filled—none can surpass their approach. At the command of Savitṛ, people settle; at his rising and setting, all beings are governed. Vāyu and Savitṛ together shield the worlds, and are asked to drive away all evil and demons, to destroy sorcerers, and bestow strength and vigor. The devotee prays that these two gods grant wealth and abundance, skill and good fortune, removing all misfortune. Their great favor and mighty aid are desired, and their bounty is sought. The highest blessings of Savitṛ and Vāyu are established in the home, and so the devotee praises them, asking for release from sin. Then, the prayer is offered to Heaven and Earth—mighty, bountiful, conscious, who have stretched themselves across immeasurable distances. These two became the firm foundation of all riches, divine and greatly expanded, and are asked to be kindly disposed. Tireless and filled with warmth, vast and deep, they are worthy of reverence by the wise. They bear the immortal, the offerings, the flowing streams, and all humankind; they carry the cows, the trees of the forest, and within them all beings abide. Satisfied by libations and ghee, by whom nothing is possible without nectar, they are entreated to be kindly disposed and to release from sin. Whatever sorrows or errors belong to mortals, the devotee turns to Heaven and Earth, seeking help and forgiveness. The Maruts are then invoked—may they speak on behalf of the devotee, granting strength and victory, harnessing their swift horses for help. They are those who distribute the inexhaustible, pouring out sap into the plants, born of their mother Pṛśni. The milk of cows, the sap of plants, the speed of swift horses—all are inspired by the Maruts. They carry waters from the ocean to the sky and send them forth upon the earth, ruling with the waters and making it rain. Satisfied with libations and ghee, joining birds with fat, they are the rain-bringers. If any hardship has come by their wind, or by the decree of the gods, they, as givers of wealth, hold the power of expiation. Fierce-faced and renowned, mighty and formidable in battle, the Marut host is praised and called upon for help and release from sin. To Bhava and Sharva the devotee turns next, honoring them as lords of all that has two feet and four. They know all things, near and far, and wield the bow. Thousand-eyed, slayers of Vṛtra, they are praised from afar, having spread their rule among the people wherever they go together. Their weapon is irresistible, unmatched among gods or men. Against sorcerers, root-cutters, and demons, the devotee asks these mighty ones to hurl their thunderbolt. In battle, the devotee seeks their protection, asking them to strike down the hostile and to release from sin. Mitra and Varuṇa are remembered as upholders of order and wisdom, driving away the deceitful and protecting the truthful in battle. With keen vision, they partake in the pressed Soma, riding with the tawny one. They have protected the ancient sages: Angiras, Agasti, Jamadagni, Atri, Kashyapa, Vasiṣṭha, Shyavashva, Vadhryashva, Purumīḍha, Vimada, Saptavadhri, Bharadvāja, Gaviṣṭhira, Viśvāmitra, Varuṇa, Mitra, Kutsa, Kakṣīvān, Kaṇva, Medhātithi, Triśoka, Uśanā Kāvyā, Gotama, and Mugdala. Their chariot follows the true path with straight reins, and they pursue those who act wrongly. The devotee praises Mitra and Varuṇa, seeking their protection and asking them to release all from sin. Thus, through heartfelt invocation, the devotee turns to the gods—Indra, Vāyu, Savitṛ, Heaven and Earth, the Maruts, Bhava and Sharva, Mitra and Varuṇa—acknowledging their powers and deeds, seeking their favor, protection, and, above all, release from sin.