In the days of ancient sacrifice, a devoted sage stood before the sacred fire, his heart filled with longing and reverence. He recalled the moment he first chose to invoke the mighty ones, Indra and Agni, declaring, “This Soma is to be offered by us, together with the lords.” In steadfast faith, he called to them, entreating them to come and drink the freshly pressed Soma, trusting in the truth of that vow. He spoke further, inviting Indra and Agni from every place of joy they had known—whether in their own celestial abode or amidst the king’s solemn rites. “Come from there, O mighty ones, and partake of the Soma we have prepared.” His call reached out to wherever Indra and Agni might dwell—among the tribes of the Yadus, Turvashas, Druhyus, Anus, or Purus—urging them to leave those lands and join the sacrifice. His invocation soared across the threefold world, summoning the deities from the lowest, middle, and highest realms of the earth, and again from the highest, middle, and lowest, so that no corner was left unbidden. He extended his plea to the skies, the earth, the mountains, the plants, and the waters, asking the mighty ones to come from every element and partake of the pressed Soma. He called to them as they rejoiced in the rising sun, in the midst of heaven, empowered by their own might, beseeching them to arrive and drink the Soma. And as the ritual progressed, he prayed that, having drunk the sacred offering, Indra and Agni might win all treasures for their devotees, and that Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky would not bring harm. With mind intent on wealth and wisdom, the sage sought to know both the manifest and the hidden, declaring that none were as dear to him as Indra and Agni. For them, he shaped thoughts of strength and praise, inspired by tales of their generosity, heard from the wise and from others. With Soma pressed, he composed a new hymn to honor them. He urged that the path of the ancestors not be forsaken, and wondered for whom the mighty ones, Indra and Agni, delighted, as the stones pressed Soma at the altar’s lap. He acknowledged how, by their power, the divine altar longed for the Soma’s intoxication, and called upon the Ashvins, with their auspicious hands, to blend sweetness into the waters. He recounted the renown of Indra and Agni, most powerful in dividing wealth and in slaying Vritra, and invited them to sit upon the sacred grass, delighting in the Soma among the people. Their brilliance spread across earth and sky, excelling among rivers and mountains, surpassing all worlds in greatness. The sage implored: “Come, teach us, guide us, O wielders of the thunderbolt. Protect us with your strength, as the rays of the Sun by which our fathers found kinship with you.” Again, he prayed for protection in battle, for instruction, and for the blessings of Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky. Turning to the Ribhus, the sage stretched out his prayer, seeking protection and offering the sweetest thoughts as hymns, like an ocean of praise for all the gods. He invited the Ribhus, those skilled artisans, to partake of the offering made with ‘svaha.’ When some of his waters were turned aside, he asked the Ribhus of the Sudhanvanas to come in their greatness to the house of the worshipper of Savitar. He invoked Savitar to grant immortality, the hidden secret the Ribhus had revealed, marveling at their feat of making a single drinking cup into four. Though mortal, the Ribhus attained immortality by their skill and swiftness, their thoughts united and tested by the sun’s vision over a year. Like farmers measuring a field, the Ribhus used their art to create four vessels from one, seeking honor and fame among the immortals. The sage offered his thoughts like clarified butter in the midspace, praying that, with the swiftness of their father, the Ribhus might ascend to strength through the sky’s domain. He reflected that Ribhu was not Indra, but a newer might, a giver of prizes and wealth. With the gods’ help, he wished to stand firm on the day of contest among the Soma-pressers. The Ribhus’ wonders were many: they fashioned a cow from a hide, recreated the mother with her calf, and restored parents to youth by their skill. He prayed to Ribhu for the winning of wealth, noting that even Indra had witnessed their marvels. Again, he sought the favor of Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky, that they might not harm him. The Ribhus’ skill was legendary: they crafted a well-made chariot, steeds for Indra, and youthful vigor for their fathers. They created the mother for the calf, together with the earth. The sage asked for the two Ribhus to come to the sacrifice, bringing wisdom, skill, and abundant offspring, granting food, strength, and discernment, so that the people might thrive in vigor. He entreated the Ribhus to fashion prosperity for their chariot and journey, granting victorious fortune in every battle, kin after kin, through skill. He invoked Indra, lord of the Ribhus, for help, and the Ribhus and Maruts for the joy of Soma. He called for inspiration from Mitra, Varuna, and the Ashvins, hoping for prosperity and victorious thoughts. He prayed that the Ribhus would unite prosperity for the bearer, that the victorious banner would bring it forth, and that the blessings of Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky would not diminish it. He then invoked Heaven and Earth for ancient remembrance, and Agni, the radiant warmth, for the journey. He called to the Ashvins, the twin horsemen, whose aid stirs the laborer to action, asking them to come with their help. The sage praised the Ashvins’ generosity, their chariot swift as counsel, and their support for thoughts and journeys. By their command, they ruled over peoples with the measure of immortality, nourishing the cow and the horse, and he invited them to come with those aids. He recalled the Ashvins’ miraculous deeds: how they adorned Parijma by his swift son, granted discernment to Trimantur, brought Rebha from the waters to see the sun, and protected Kanva striving for brilliance. They saved Antaka in distress, triumphed over the tireless, invigorated Karkandhu and Vayya, and protected Shuchanti for Atri, as well as Prishnigu and Purukutsa. He remembered how the Ashvins turned back Paravrija, gave sight to Prandha and Shrona, and released Vartikā from captivity. They made the honeyed river flow for the eager, invigorated the ageless Vasiṣṭha, and protected Kutsa, renowned and noble. He invoked their gifts to Vishpala, the wealthy Atharvan, granting a thousand blessings at the race, and their protection for Vasha, the beloved horseman. For all these deeds, for all these acts of aid and wonder, the sage called upon the Ashvins to come, bringing their help and blessings. Thus, through hymns and prayers, the sage wove together the praises and supplications to Indra, Agni, the Ribhus, the Ashvins, and all the gods, seeking their presence, their aid, and their enduring favor for himself and his people.