In the sacred dawn, offerings are made to the Moon in all directions, invoking its fulfillment. Just as the Moon receives the oblations throughout the quarters, so may all beings bow down before the one who offers, honoring that presence with reverence. The directions themselves are likened to cows, and their calf is the Moon; with the Moon as the calf, the seeker draws forth strength, nourishment, long life, foremost offspring, and wealth, invoking the sacred svāhā. Within Agni, the fire, another Agni moves, having entered as the son of the seers, a protector from curses. With deep reverence, the offering is made to this Agni, praying not to partake in the divided portions of the gods’ work. To Jātavedas, the fire purified by heart and mind and knowing all divine tasks, the seven mouths of Agni are addressed with offerings, asking that the oblation be accepted. Those who offer to Jātavedas from the east and assail the sacrificer are turned away by Agni as the priest, struck back with a counter-charm. From the south, Yama stands as the priest, turning away those who threaten. From the west, Varuṇa protects, and from the north, Soma serves as the priest, each repelling harm. From below, Earth stands as the priest; from the midspace, Vāyu, the wind, shields; from above, Sūrya, the Sun, guards. Even those who assail from the intermediate regions are turned away by Brahman as the priest, each direction protected, each threat countered. Amidst these rituals, the powerful one arises, whose mantra is mighty and immortal, ever-growing and noble. Trita, the supporter, upholds the three, unassailable and shining like Ahi. He first established the laws, manifesting many forms, entering the womb and understanding the unspoken speech. He shed his form for burning, gold flowing, and the pure ones following their nature. Here, immortal names are established, and the clans are invited to receive the garments. When two forces advanced and reached the ancient crossing, they stood firm in being and non-being, unaging. The poet and the mothers of the dry one, longing for the yoke, are asked to assign the lord for the offspring. Therefore, to the great one of wide might, homage is offered with poetry, as the earth and sky expand the enclosing space when the two come together. Seven boundaries have been fashioned by the poets; one is called to come near. The pillar of iron stands in the nest of likeness, amidst the paths and supports. The narrator moves among the immortal and mighty, performing the vow of the Asura, whose spirit dwells within and delights the wise. Shakra may place the treasure, or the giver of offerings may attain the desired strength. The son invokes his father, the kshatriya, the eldest, seeking well-being and proper conduct. To Varuna, the poet wishes to see his places and fashions forms from his established order. With half, nourishment is filled; with the other half, vigor increases, strengthening Varuna, the son of Aditi, the powerful one, to whom the poets speak forms as the true-spoken lord of earth and heaven. This one is the eldest in the worlds, from whom the fierce and splendid sacrifice arises. Born suddenly, he drives away enemies, and all powers rejoice in him. Growing in might, he gives fear to the enemy, protects and destroys, victorious and honored in offerings. Abundant wisdom fills him, and powers arise twice and thrice. The sweetest of the sweet releases delight, honey brought forth and joined with the honeyed ones. Though sages praise him as victorious in wealth and battle, the mighty one is strengthened, letting not the evil-minded or sorrowful harm him. With him, confidence is found in battles, seeing many opportunities for victory; his weapons are urged with words, his powers strengthened with prayer. He dwells in the lower and higher places, establishing the mother and bringing forth many forms. Praise is given to the one of vast stature, many paths, strong and best among the accomplished, who reveals 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 and self-ruler, to whom even the swift, all-colored, ascetic ones belong. Atharvan, the great one of vast heaven, spoke of his own body as Indra, urged on and strengthened by the two sisters, the mothers. May radiance be present in the summons to Agni; as Agni is kindled, may the body flourish. May the four directions bow, and with Agni’s guidance, may victory be won. Agni is asked to drive away the anger of others, to protect and guard on all sides, to subdue the hostile and scatter their awakened thoughts. May all the gods—Indra, the Maruts, Vishnu, Agni—be present at the summons. May the wide atmosphere and broad world be granted, and the wind blow for the seeker’s desire. May sacrifices be made, wishes fulfilled, and the mind be true; let no sin come, and may all gods protect. May the gods offer wealth and blessings, divine invocation, and may the divine priests sit for the sacrificer. May strength and unharmed bodies be granted. Let the six divine guardians make the sacrificer heroic, all gods rejoicing, with no oppression or evil befalling, nor hateful wrongdoing. Three goddesses are invoked for great protection, abundance for offspring and bodies, so none are deprived. Soma, king, is asked to prevent falling short before the hostile. The mighty one, invoked by many, is asked for wide-reaching protection; Indra, delighting in horses, is entreated to be gracious to offspring and not harm or take away. Savitar, the ordainer and lord of beings, conqueror of hostility, is invoked, along with the Ādityas, Rudras, and the two Aśvins, to protect the sacrificer from misfortune. Rivals are to be turned away, with Indra and Agni driving them off. The Ādityas, Rudras, and those who touch above have made the fierce, discerning king for the sacrificer. Thus, through these sacred invocations, offerings, and prayers, the seeker honors the gods, invokes their protection, and celebrates the vast, immortal powers that uphold the worlds, seeking strength, wisdom, and victory in all directions.