In a sacred invocation, the seeker calls upon a joyful and radiant Apsaras, whose delight in the game of dice brings brightness and a hint of anger. Her presence is sought, for she embodies both pleasure and potency. Attention then turns to those beings who travel along the rays and beams of the sun. They are protected by the bull, swift as a steed, who circles all the worlds with speed and vigilance. The offering is made, inviting this swift protector—together with the steed that dwells in the midspace—to accept what is given. With reverence, the steed in the midspace is asked to guard the calf, both few and many, as they gather near. The calf is presented, and the wish is for the steed’s mind to rest here, in this place of care and abundance. Again, the steed is implored to protect the calf, for here is the grass, here is the pen, and here the calf is tied. May all prosper according to what is fitting, and so the prayer is sealed with “Svāhā.” The narrative then shifts to the earth, where Agni is honored. May food be equal and abundant for Agni, as it is on earth, and may such abundance come to the seeker, bringing respect from all. The earth is seen as a cow, and Agni as her calf; with Agni as the calf, the earth is asked to yield desired food, strength, long life, offspring, nourishment, and wealth. Svāhā. In the midspace, Vāyu is honored with the same wish: let food be equal and abundant, and may respect and plenty flow to the supplicant. The midspace is the cow, Vāyu is her calf; with Vāyu as the calf, may the midspace grant food, strength, long life, offspring, nourishment, and wealth. Svāhā. In heaven, Āditya is honored. May food there be equal and abundant, and may the seeker receive the same abundance and respect. Heaven is the cow, Āditya is her calf; with Āditya as the calf, may heaven yield food, strength, long life, offspring, nourishment, and wealth. Svāhā. Offerings are made to the Moon in all the directions, with the prayer that these offerings be fulfilled and that all may bow down in respect. The directions themselves are cows, and the Moon is their calf. With the Moon as the calf, the seeker asks for strength, nourishment, long life, foremost offspring, and wealth—Svāhā. Within Agni, Agni moves, having entered, the son of seers, the protector from curses. With reverence and homage, offerings are made, with the wish not to share in the divided portion of the gods’ work. To Jātavedas, purified in heart and mind and knowing all divine works, offerings are made to the seven mouths, asking that the oblation be accepted. The story then turns to the guardians of the directions. Those who offer to Jātavedas from the east and assail the seeker are turned away by Agni as priest, with a counter-charm. Those from the south are turned away by Yama; from the west, by Varuṇa; from the north, by Soma. Those from below are turned away by Earth; from the midspace, by Vāyu; from above, by Sūrya. Those who assail from the intermediate regions are turned away by Brahman. In all directions, the seeker strikes back with counter-charms, invoking the guardians as priests. A new chapter unfolds, describing one whose mantra is powerful, arisen from the womb, immortal, mighty, ever-growing, noble, unassailable, and shining like Ahi. Trita, the supporter, has upheld the three. He who first established the laws, from whom many forms arise, entered the womb and understood unspoken speech. He shed his form for burning, flowing gold, pure ones following their nature. Immortal names are established, and the clans are invited to receive the garments. When two advanced and reached the ancient crossing, standing firm in being and non-being, unaging, the poet and the mothers of the dry one, longing for the yoke, ask for the lord to be assigned for the offspring. To the great one of wide might, homage is offered. The poet, with poetry, performs for him. When the two come together, the great earth and sky expand the enclosing space. Seven boundaries have been fashioned by the poets; one is called to come near. The pillar of iron stands in the nest of likeness, in the expanse of paths and supports. The speaker moves among the immortal and mighty, performing the vow of the Asura. The Asura spirit dwells within, delighting the wise. Shakra may place the treasure, or the giver of offerings may attain what is sought through strength. The son invokes his father, the kshatriya, the eldest, seeking well-being and proper conduct. Varuna is asked to reveal his places, and forms are fashioned from his established order. With half, nourishment is filled; with the other, vigor increases in the immortal one. Varuna, son of Aditi, is strengthened, and the poets have spoken these forms to him, the true-spoken lord of earth and heaven. The narrative continues, describing the eldest in the worlds, from whom sacrifice arises—fierce and splendid. Born suddenly, he drives away enemies, and all powers rejoice in him. Growing in might, possessing great strength, he gives fear to the enemy for the servant, protects and destroys, and is victorious. All bow to him in offerings. He is filled with abundant wisdom, for powers arise twice and thrice. The sweetest of the sweet, he releases delight, brings forth honey, and joins it with the honeyed ones. Even as sages praise him for victory in wealth and battle, his body is strengthened, and harm from evil-minded or sorrowful ones is averted. With him, confidence in battles is gained, seeing opportunities for victory. His weapons are urged with words, and his powers are strengthened with prayer. He places what is needed in both lower and higher realms, dwelling in the home, establishing the mother, the moving one, and bringing forth many forms. Praise is given to the one of vast stature and many paths, strong and best among the accomplished. He shows forth with might and great strength, revealing the measure of the earth. These prayers, made in the vast heaven, are for Indra, the foremost, radiant lord of light, ruler of the great lineage, self-ruler, to whom even the swift, all-colored, ascetic ones belong. Thus, the great one of the vast heaven, Atharvan, spoke of his own body as Indra. The two sisters, the mothers, urge him on, increasing and strengthening him with might. In this way, through invocation, offering, and praise, the seeker honors the powers that sustain the worlds, seeking abundance, protection, wisdom, and strength from the divine guardians who watch over all directions and realms.