In ancient times, when the forces of opposition and enmity threatened the harmony of the people, they invoked the mighty spirit of Wrath. Wrath was called upon to endure against those who stood in opposition—to shatter, crush, and utterly destroy the enemies. Though its fierce power had been restrained, Wrath was urged to bring the foe under control, for it was born alone, a singular force of destruction. Wrath was praised by many; in every assembly, it was asked to prepare for battle. With Wrath as their ally, the people did not rely on empty words—instead, they raised a resounding and glorious cry for victory. They sought Wrath as their lord, unconquered and victorious like Indra, and they sang praises to its beloved name, knowing well the source from which such power had arisen. Born alongside might, armed with the thunderbolt, Wrath bore strength that surpassed all others. By its resolve, the people hoped to be victorious; they invoked Wrath repeatedly, asking it to share with them great wealth. They prayed that the wealth, gathered and amassed, might be given by Varuṇa and Wrath, and that their enemies, gripped by fear, would be defeated and withdraw, disappearing from sight. Wrath, whose weapon was the thunderbolt and arrow, whose strength and vigor pervaded all humanity, was called upon to help the people overcome both Dāsa and Ārya, by the power of the mighty, with force and strength. Wrath was recognized as Indra, as the god himself; Wrath was the Hotṛ, Varuṇa, and Jātavedas—all peoples praised Wrath, and they sought its protection, joined with fervor. They called forth Wrath, stronger than the strong, asking it to strike down their enemies with allied power. Wrath, the destroyer of foes, the slayer of Vṛtra and Dasyu, was asked to bring all treasures to them. Wrath was overpowering in strength, self-born, blazing, and the crusher of opposition—renowned among all peoples, mighty and stronger than any, they prayed that Wrath would place its power with them in battles. Yet, among them was one who felt unfortunate, cast away by Wrath’s will. Lacking resolve, this person sought Wrath, asking it to come as strength comes to the weak. “Here I am for you—come near, O mighty one, ever victorious. Wrath, wielder of the thunderbolt, turn towards us—let us strike down the Dasyus, and be attentive to our call.” They invited Wrath to advance upon them from the right, to be with them, to strike down many obstacles and foes. In gratitude, they offered Wrath the foremost portion of the sweet drink, inviting Wrath to share the first libation in secret. As the battle prayers concluded, the people turned to Agni, the sacred fire. “Drive away from us, O Agni, the burning sin; grant us wealth and good fields, good paths, and prosperity.” They worshipped Agni for blessings, asking that the burning sin be driven away, so that the blessings of their own lords might be manifest. They prayed to be born with Agni’s blessings, and with Agni’s help, to drive away the burning sin. As Agni’s rays spread in all directions, they hoped the burning sin would depart from them. Agni, facing all sides and encompassing everything, was asked to carry them across their haters as a boat carries passengers across a river, ensuring their well-being and safety. Then, the sacred porridge of Odana was prepared for sacrifice. Its head was Brahman, its back was Bṛhat, its belly was Vāmadeva, and its sides were Odana. The metres formed its wings, truth its mouth, and the sacrificial porridge, born from austerity, was spread forth upon it. Those who cooked the spreading porridge of Odana were purified, cleansed by wind, and went to the pure world. For them, the fire did not burn the organ, and in the heavenly world, there was abundance of the feminine. Those who prepared Odana never returned to the earthly realm; they sat with Yama, went to the gods, and rejoiced with the Gandharvas and Soma-drinkers. For them, Yama did not take away the seed; they became charioteers, riding by chariot, or birds soaring to the sky. This most excellent of sacrifices was spread out, and those who cooked Odana entered heaven. They extended the lotus, water-lily, stalk, bulb, and root, and all streams came to them, swelling with honey in the heavenly world, surrounded by lotus-ponds on every side. Lakes of ghee, banks of honey, water, milk, and curds—all these streams came to them in the heavenly world, surrounded by lotus-ponds. Four jars, divided fourfold, filled with milk, water, and curds, were offered, swelling with honey in the heavenly world. This Odana was placed among the Brahmins, spreading and conquering worlds, leading to heaven. It was wished never to diminish, swelling with its own essence, and the wish-fulfilling cow of all forms was desired. The Odana of Yama, first-born of truth, was cooked by Prajapati for Brahman through austerity. By that Odana, which was the support and navel of the worlds, one crossed over death. By the same Odana, which the makers of beings used to cross over death, which Yama discovered through austerity and effort, which Brahman first cooked for Brahman, one crossed over death. He who upheld the earth, filled the midspace with sap, and propped up the sky above with greatness—by that Odana, one crossed over death. From whom the months were fashioned, thirty-ribbed, the year twelve-spoked, whom day and night encompass without end—by that Odana, one crossed over death. He who gave breath, became the breath-giver, for whom the worlds flow with ghee, whose are all the shining regions—by that Odana, one crossed over death. From whom the cooked nectar arose, who became lord of the Gāyatrī, in whom the Vedas of all forms are established—by that Odana, one crossed over death. The people prayed to drive away those who hated, who were hostile to the gods, and all their rivals, casting them down. They cooked the all-conquering sacrificial rice, asking the gods who heed devotion to listen. Finally, Agni Vaiśvānara, the mighty bull, was invoked to burn up with true strength those who wished harm, who sought to injure or attack. Whoever intended harm or attacked was placed between the jaws of Agni Vaiśvānara. Those who hunted them in the house, who shouted in opposition on the new moon, flesh-eaters who attacked others—all were withstood with force. The demons were withstood and overpowered, wealth was granted, and those who wished harm were struck down, so that the intention for well-being might be fulfilled. The gods who laughed at the thief, who measured speed with the sun, those in rivers and mountains—all these beings became allies. Thus, through invocation, sacrifice, and prayer, the people sought strength, protection, victory, and prosperity—calling upon Wrath, Agni, and the sacred Odana, trusting in the divine to carry them across all obstacles and grant them the ultimate blessings.