As the first light of dawn approached, the wise and swift-minded ones prepared their sacred offerings. With reverence, they brought forth libations for the sacrifice, calling upon Rudra, the gracious lord, and praising the heroic Maruts—sons of the sky, mighty archers whose strength resounds across heaven and earth. Dawn and night, knowing much like a devoted wife, increased the potency of this first invocation. The bright ones, adorned in splendid garments, shone with the golden beauty of the sun, their radiance blessing the world. To the all-encompassing bestower of wealth, the people offered their delight, and to the wind—strong among the waters—they turned with hope. Indra, together with the steadfast mountains, was invoked for protection, and prayers went forth to all the gods, asking safe passage through life’s journey. The glorious ones, robed in white, were invited to the sacred invocation, their presence sought for both blessing and protection. The offspring of the waters, the swift-flowing mothers of rivers, were called upon, their nurturing powers praised as one celebrates the fame of Arjuna. Pūṣan, the provider, and Agni, the giver of wealth, were addressed, their gifts and guardianship requested. Mitra and Varuṇa were entreated to hear these invocations from their all-encompassing abode, as the generous and attentive one listened, and the fertile river Sindhu, with her abundant waters, was invoked. The people praised the gifts of Mitra and Varuṇa—a hundred cows in the enclosure, beloved chariots arriving swiftly with nourishment and wealth. The mighty giver’s bounty was celebrated, and together with the Nahushas, the people sought strength. The lord who brings forth horses and chariots was generous, his gifts flowing freely. Those who failed to honor Mitra and Varuṇa, who acted unrighteously in the rites, found themselves afflicted, for favor did not rest upon them. The Nahusha, strengthened by praise, stood as a leader among men, renowned for glory and generosity, overcoming all obstacles and eager in every contest. When the Nahusha came to the invocation of the lord, the kings listened with delight, and the charioteer brought forth bounty, arriving with greatness. In the assembly of the Nahushas, it was declared: “This is the band, the domain of the lord, in whom are glories and gifts of wealth.” All were urged to bring forth strength for the contests ahead. In the domain of the Nahusha, the people found joy, bearing abundance as they sought food and fortune. Horses and rays of light were desired, and the eager lords drove men forward in pursuit of these blessings. Arṇa, adorned with golden ears and a jeweled neck, was invoked to grant passage, as noble songs swiftly arrived and the rays of light shone forth for all. The chariot, drawn by four swift steeds, bore the three powers of the victorious king. The chariot of Mitra and Varuṇa was long-watered, its yoke strong, and the sun its leader. Then, the chariot of the south was yoked, and the immortal gods stood upon it. Arya rose from the darkness, leaving it behind, seeking to discern a dwelling for humankind. Victorious and generous, she awakened before all the worlds, bringing the prize of the day. The young Dawn, shining and resplendent, rose again, first in the first invocation. O divine Dawn, well-born and radiant, as you distribute today’s portion among mortals, may Savitar, the wise lord, declare us sinless before the Sun. Day by day, Dawn approached each house, bearing her name, ever shining and eager to bestow treasures at every threshold. Sister of Bhaga and kin of Varuṇa, Dawn was asked to delight first in sweet praise. May the one who assigns evil be left behind, conquered by the right-hand chariot. Sweet speech and generous givers arose, fires were kindled, and the treasures once hidden by darkness were revealed as the Dawns shone forth. One departed, another arrived—the two, diverse in form, traveled together. By her chariot, one dispelled darkness, while the other, Dawn, shone anew. Today and tomorrow alike, they followed the unbroken order of Varuṇa, traveling flawlessly, each swiftly completing her course. Dawn knew the name of the first day; born from the dark, she shone pure and white. The maiden of truth never violated her order, moving unfailingly day after day. Like a maiden adorned, the goddess approached the god to be beheld, making the paths visible as she shone forth. Radiant as a bride adorned by her mother, she made her form pleasing to all. O auspicious Dawn, she spread wide her light, not letting other Dawns vanish before her. Rich in horses and cattle, all-bestowing, she strove with the rays of the Sun, going forth and returning, always bearing the name of the auspicious. Following the path of truth with her rays, Dawn was asked to grant the best resolve, to shine forth graciously and bring wealth among the generous. As Dawn rose, she kindled the fires, and the Sun ascended, spreading light across the wide expanse. The god Savitar set forth welfare for all—bipeds and quadrupeds alike. Dawn never transgressed the divine laws nor broke the courses of men; among those who come and go, she shone as the foremost, embodying the eternal. Seen radiant, adorned with light, she advanced at the front, following the good path of truth and never missing her way. Appearing like the breast of a pure woman, she manifested beloved forms like a skilled wife, awakening sleepers again and again, the most constant of those who return. In the shining realm, the mother of cows made her sign, spreading wide and bestowing abundance, filling both parents’ lap. This bountiful one was seen by all—she rejected neither the newborn nor the spouse. Unblemished and adorned, she turned from neither child nor great as she shone forth. She came like a cloud toward the seeker, like a well-dug channel for the one desiring wealth, like a wife to her husband, eager and adorned, releasing the waters like a bright herd. Like a younger sister approaching her elder’s dwelling, she shone forth with the rays of the sun, adorned as if among troops of women gathering together. Among these Dawns, the later followed the earlier, and ever-new Dawns, like the ancient ones, were wished to rise now, bringing wealth and a good day. Dawn was asked to awaken all with her bounty, to rouse the unawakened, and to rise with riches for the generous, rewarding the hymn and the true word. This young maiden, rich in horses, yoked at the front the red cattle, the foremost of the herd. As she rose, her banner was spread out, and Agni stood at every home. Even the birds flew up from their nests, and men who shared offerings with their ancestors rose at dawn. O divine Dawn, you brought much wealth to the worshipper, to the mortal who dwells at home, blessing all with your radiant presence.