The story begins with the invocation of Soma, the divine drink and deity, whose friendship brings delight and skill to those wise mortals who seek his companionship. Those who embrace Soma’s favor find themselves endowed with ability and wisdom. The supplicants beseech Soma to drive away all curses and shield them from harm, asking him to be their friend and bring them good fortune. They pray for Soma’s strength to expand and gather from every direction, wishing him to be the wellspring of their vigor. As the most exhilarating of all, Soma is called to expand with his many streams, to be their renowned friend, fostering growth and prosperity. The worshippers hope that Soma’s nourishing powers and strengths will unite, his vigor and capacity to overcome enemies will combine, and as he expands for immortality, he will place their highest fame in heaven. All of Soma’s powers, worshipped through offerings, are implored to surround the sacrifice. Soma, who expands life and crosses over obstacles with heroic strength, is asked to drive away misfortune. Soma is celebrated for bestowing cows, swift horses, heroic men of action—he gives what is beneficial, what is to be known and discussed, and ancestral fame to those who honor him. In battle and contests, Soma is mighty, the lord of light, guardian of waters, and protector of people. In every struggle, he brings good dwelling and renowned victory, and the devotees rejoice in him. Soma is credited with generating all the plants, producing the waters, creating the cows, stretching out the wide midspace, and with his light, dispelling darkness. With divine mind, Soma is asked to contend for the worshippers’ share of wealth, ensuring his strength is not diminished in the contest for the prize. As this prayer rises, the Dawns begin their work. In the eastern sky, they spread their radiance, like warriors donning armor, the red cows—mothers—set forth. The ruddy rays rise with unrestrained force, the red cows yoked to their paths, and the Dawns traverse their ancient routes, shining brightly. The Dawns are likened to women singing together, moving in harmony, bringing nourishment to the generous sacrificer who presses the Soma. One Dawn weaves her garments like a dancer, covers her breast like a cow with her calf, and makes light for all worlds, returning to the fold like cows. Her shining radiance appears, driving away the black darkness, like a bright ornament at assemblies, the Daughter of Heaven displays her brilliance. The worshippers have crossed beyond the far shore of darkness; the rising Dawn creates new paths, shining for beauty, smiling radiantly, coming for their well-being. The radiant leader of good words, Daughter of Heaven, is praised in song. Rich in offspring and men, the Dawn awakens horses and cows, bringing strength to the people. The Dawn is asked to grant fame, heroic sons, wealth of horses, and abundant riches—her generous glory is hoped to bring splendid prosperity. The goddess, with her wide gaze, sees all worlds, moves among all living beings, awakening them and making known the speech of all. Ever anew, though ancient, she is born again and again, adorning herself with the same color, driving away darkness like a skilled woman, yet diminishing the mortal’s life. Unfolding the ends of the sky, the Dawn awakens, sending away her sister, the night. Measuring the ages of men, she shines with the glance of a lover. Splendid and fortunate, she spreads out like cattle, flows like a river in her vastness, observes divine laws, and moves with the rays of the sun, ever visible. The worshippers ask the Dawn to bring splendid wealth, full of horses, with which they may support their offspring and descendants. They call her to shine forth today, in this place rich with cows and horses, rising to bring wealth and good speech. She is asked to yoke her chariot, rich in horses, with red steeds, and to bring all good fortunes. The Ashvins, leaders of the path, bestowers of cows and gold, are called to bring their chariot near with united mind. As far as they have made song and light in the sky for the people, the Ashvins are asked to bring nourishment. Here, the divine, wondrous ones with golden wheels, are invoked to let the Dawns bring forth the awakened for the drinking of Soma. Next, Agni and Soma, the strong ones, are called to kindly hear the worshippers’ prayers, to delight in the hymns and grant joy to the devotee. To those who offer praise, Agni and Soma are asked to grant heroic strength, abundance of cattle, and good horses. Whoever offers oblation or sacrificial gifts to them, may he attain offspring, heroic strength, and a full lifespan. The worshippers recall the heroic deed of Agni and Soma, when they rescued cows from the demon Paṇi, released what remained of the mighty one, and found the single light among many. Together with Indra, Agni and Soma established shining regions in the sky, set free rivers seized by the oppressor, and protected them from harm. One of them, Mātariśvan, brought down from the sky; another, the falcon seized from the rock. Agni and Soma grew through the sacred word and made a wide space for sacrifice. They are asked to accept the libation with delight, grant well-being to the worshipper with their protection and favor. Whoever worships Agni and Soma with clarified butter and devoted mind, let his vow be protected, let him be guarded from harm, and let great shelter be granted to his people. Agni and Soma, united among the gods, are asked to shine forth greatly for those who serve them with offerings. May they be pleased with these offerings, come to the worshippers, and be present with them. Finally, Agni and Soma are implored to protect them from the hostile, let the cows increase, grant strength among the generous, and make the ritual successful. Thus, the story unfolds—a tapestry of devotion, light, and divine favor, as the worshippers honor Soma, the Dawns, the Ashvins, Agni, and Soma, seeking blessings, strength, and prosperity in their sacred journey.