With steadfast devotion, the ritual begins. The oblation is offered firmly to Soma, and Indra, the mighty, is invoked to make all tribes subject, gathering their tribute for the sacrificer. The victorious offering, the same by which Indra himself triumphed, is presented, and Brahmanaspati is called upon to grant the kingdom to the worshiper. Having overcome rivals and enemies, the supplicant stands firm, protected from any who oppose or attack. Savitar, the radiant god, and Soma are asked to encompass the sacrificer, with all beings surrounding him as he desires. By the very oblation that made Indra most glorious and exalted, the gods grant the worshiper freedom from rivalry, and he proclaims himself without equal. Now, without rival, as a destroyer of rivals and conqueror of foes, the worshiper seeks eminence among all beings and the people, wishing for a strong realm. The ritual turns to the pressing stones, invoking Savitar to bless them with righteousness. They are yoked to their task, pressing forth the Soma. The stones are entreated to drive away evil speech and thought, and to bring forth healing light. United, the pressing stones are exalted on the upper altars, placing strength for the strong one. Savitar is again invoked to bless them with righteousness for the sacrificer who presses Soma. The sons of the Ṛbhus, great and victorious, are called forth, having enjoyed the earth as a calf enjoys its mother. With the devotion of the goddess, the god Jātavedas is brought forth to carry the offerings in order. The priest, devoted to the gods, is led forth for sacrifice, shining like a well-yoked chariot, moving by his own will. Agni, the fire, grows wide, as if from immortal birth, made for life and stronger even than strength itself. The wise perceive the winged one, hidden by the Asura’s magic, with heart and mind; within the ocean, sages seek the path of the rays, the track of the Creator. The winged one bears speech in his mind, and the Gandharva declares it within the womb. The sages guard the shining, heavenly wisdom at the seat of immortality. The herdsman is seen, never falling, wandering both paths, clothed alike and differently, turning within the worlds. For well-being, Tārkṣya is called—the strong, god-sent, victorious, swiftest of chariots, with unbroken wheel-rims, conqueror in battle. Desiring well-being, Indra’s favor is sought, that the worshipers may cross over like a ship, unharmed by the broad, deep earth, neither here nor beyond. Indra, with his might, spreads out the five peoples with light like the sun; his abundance is in thousands and hundreds, never failing, like a youthful maiden at the contest. The priests are urged to arise and look upon Indra’s portion, whether prepared or not, to offer or desire it. Indra is called to hear the offering and come forth as the sun traverses its path, reaching the midst. Friends gather around Indra with treasures, just as householders gather around the lord of the clan. The offering is deemed pure in the vessel, pure in the fire, and most pure in the newest rite of truth. Indra, wielder of the bolt, is invited to drink, delighting in the midday pressing of the curdled Soma. Indra, much-invoked, has overcome enemies; his greatest strength is asked to bring gifts here. He is called to bring riches with his right hand, as lord of the rivers and possessor of wealth. Like a fearsome beast roaming mountains, Indra arrives from afar, grasping his thunderbolt to shatter enemies and drive away hostilities. Indra was born with supreme power and might, a bull among peoples, driving away unfriendly races and making a broad space for the gods. The one named Pratha and Sapratha, of the Anuṣṭubh meter, whose offering is oblation—Vasiṣṭha bore away the Rathantara from the brilliance of Dhātar, Savitṛ, and Viṣṇu. They discovered what was set beyond, the highest abode of the sacrifice, hidden in secrecy. Bharadvāja fashioned the Bṛhat from the brilliance of Dhātar, Savitṛ, and Viṣṇu, for Agni. With shining mind, they found the first divine path, woven with yajus formulas, and brought forth the hot libation from the sun. Bṛhaspati is invoked to lead the worshipers across difficult places and bring them back again, far from the curse of evil speech. He is asked to strike down hostility, remove ill intent, and grant well-being to the worshiper. Nārāśaṃsa is called to protect at the first offering, to grant well-being at the concluding oblation and invocations. The blazing head is entreated to burn the demons, those who hate the sacred word, to be struck down by the arrow. The worshiper sees the radiant one with mind, discerning, born of austerity, and asks for offspring and wealth, that children may be begotten for those who desire a son. The radiant one is seen shining in his own form, not falling from the season, and the young woman is called to approach, that children may be begotten. The embryo is placed in the plants, within all the worlds, generating offspring on earth and giving sons to women. Viṣṇu is invoked to prepare the womb, Tvaṣṭṛ to fashion the forms, Prajāpati to pour in, and Dhātṛ to place the embryo within. Sinīvālī and Sarasvatī are called to place the embryo, and the two divine Aśvins, adorned with lotus garlands, to place the embryo within. The golden fire-stick churned by the Aśvins is invoked, that the embryo may be born in the tenth month. Great aid is sought from the three—the shining one of heaven, Mitra and Aryaman, and the invincible Varuṇa. For them, there is no enemy at all, neither on the paths nor at the crossings; the evil-wisher has no power over them.