Let us gather with reverence and devotion, bringing forth our highest and oldest praises, our offerings and prayers, to the gracious and delightful pair—Mitra and Varuṇa. These two sovereigns, resplendent and rich in ghee, are ever worthy of sacrifice and are lauded at the sacred rites. Their power is insurmountable; none, from any place or time, can surpass their divinity. The broad and spacious path of truth has been revealed, measured by them with the radiant rays—rays akin to the vision of Bhaga. Upon the shining seat of Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuṇa, they establish the great hymn, the mighty praise, and the strength that is to be celebrated. Mitra and Varuṇa uphold the radiant, immortal Aditi and the earth, which is filled with light. Day after day, ever watchful, the Ādityas—lords of generous gifts—shine forth. Mitra and Varuṇa guide the people, and Aryaman, too, leads them along the path of righteousness. May this Soma, most pleasant among libations, be auspicious for Mitra and Varuṇa—the god among gods, untouched by misfortune. May all the gods together partake of it today. And so, may you two kings act as we desire, always in accordance with truth. Whoever among mortals worships Mitra and Varuṇa, let that blameless one be protected from harm. Aryaman guards such a worshipper, guiding him along the straight path of law. With hymns and praises, he adorns and upholds their divine ordinance. Homage is offered to the great heaven and to both worlds. I address my praise to Mitra and Varuṇa, the most gracious of all. Indra and Agni, the shining Aryaman, and Bhaga are invoked as well. May we live long, blessed with children and united by the power of Soma. With the help of the gods, and endowed with Indra’s might, may we shine in glory with the Maruts. May Agni, Mitra, and Varuṇa grant us shelter, and may we and our offspring be protected by their generosity. Gladly, let Mitra and Varuṇa come, drawn by the stones that press the eager Soma for them. O kings who reach to the sky, come near and accept these bright offerings of Soma mixed with cow’s milk, prepared especially for you. These Soma drops, pressed with curd, are arriving for you. The dawns awaken you both with the rays of the sun, and the pressed Soma, prepared by the righteous, is ready for Mitra and Varuṇa to drink. Like a cow being milked at dawn, Soma is drawn forth for your morning draught. Come, O Mitra and Varuṇa, come near and drink the Soma pressed by men, prepared for your delight. Now, let the greatness of Pūṣan be proclaimed, nobly born and ever steadfast in might and praise. I sing to him, seeking his favor and happiness, for he turns the thoughts of all beings. I call upon Pūṣan, swift as a chariot, with my songs. May he guide us safely as a camel moves skillfully through hardship. O bringer of happiness, be a faithful friend and make our songs victorious in every contest. In Pūṣan’s friendship, the wise have found support by their own will. We call upon his ever-fresh company for wealth. Be gracious, far-seeing Pūṣan, and be our companion in every undertaking. O Ajāśva, we approach you seeking your renowned gifts, praising you with excellent hymns. O Pūṣan, I do not disregard your friendship, O radiant one; I cherish it always. Let it be heard: we place Agni at the forefront in our thoughts, choosing his divine protection, and we invoke Indra and Vāyu. When these two move at the center of the dawn, granting new gifts, let our prayers rise to the gods. When Mitra and Varuṇa act by their will—restraining falsehood with their anger and wisdom—in their abode, we behold the golden radiance with our minds, our senses, and with the senses of Soma. To the Ashvins, the worshippers raise hymns, proclaiming their praise and bringing offerings. Their splendors and riches are spread forth, and their golden horses sprinkle them with dew as they ride in their golden chariot. The wondrous Ashvins swiftly traverse the sky; their horses are harnessed along the heavenly paths. Upon their golden chariot, they stand in their seat, moving swiftly like travelers guided along the road. With their powers, may the Ashvins grant us favor day and night, never letting their generosity depart from us, nor our share be taken away. O mighty Indra, these Soma juices, pressed and bursting forth, are for you. Let them delight you, bringing reward and splendor. Come, praised with songs, and be kind to us. O Agni, hear us as you are invoked and speak to the gods and the worshipful kings. When the gods gave the cow to the Angiras, Aryaman milked it with the cutting tool—he knows this, and so do I. Let not your heroic deeds pass us by, O gods; may your ancient glories always be ours, and may your wrath not fall upon us. Whatever is wondrous and new in every age, immortal in sound, let that be ours, O Maruts, and whatever is hard to overcome, let that be ours as well. Dadhyaṅ, my ancestor, was an Angiras; Priyamedha, Kaṇva, Atri, and Manu—they all knew, and among the gods are their descendants, our kin. By their path and by my song, I bow to Indra and Agni. Let the priest offer the sacrifice and let the desired gifts be won. Bṛhaspati makes the offering, Vena with many bulls. We have grasped the distant sign—the song from the mountain—by our own strength. The wise one has established many dwellings. To the gods—eleven in heaven, eleven on earth, and eleven in the waters—mighty ones, accept this sacrifice. For the altar, for the beloved radiant one, prepare the seat for Agni as one would lay a foundation. Clothe the pure one with your mind as with a garment—the chariot of light, bright and dispelling darkness. Agni, the twice-born, threefold, is purified; he grows through the year and is consumed again. With another’s tongue, the bull is praised; with another’s voice, the offering is cleansed. Black and white, the two mothers stir for him, crossing over and nurturing the child. With a forward-pointing, shining tongue, the companion and heap, the father’s nourishment grows. Desiring release for Manu and his offspring, swift and dark, black and white, they drive forth. Unresting and swift, driven by the wind, the steeds are harnessed. From you, O shining one, they move forth seeking increase, forming the black cloud, the great form. When it touches the earth, it resounds, thundering and roaring as it breathes. Among the brown ones, the adorned one bows down; like a bull, he approaches his wives, roaring. Growing strong, his body shines; fierce as horns, he rushes, hard to seize. The well-ordered and expansive one gathers, knowing those always lying down. Though they go to the divine, they grow again, making another form together for the two parents. The agile ones, with flowing hair and cries, stand upright, not angry, returning for the journey. Casting off old age, they go forth, making a sound, giving birth to another living, unwearied one. The adorned one moves around the mother daily, with strong powers, surpassing old age. Bearing youth, he moves like a swan, ever desiring, and the eagle joins his path. Shine for us, O Agni, among the generous; like a strong bull, breathe forth as lord of the house. Let the one who must dwell, the child-bearing one, not fail, but be protected as armor in battle. O Agni, may this well-offering be dearer to you than the ill-offering, more beloved to your mind. By your bright, pure radiance, shining from your body, win treasures for us. For our chariot, boat, and house, O Agni, grant us the ever-guiding one who leads the way. For our heroes and generous people, and for those who cross, grant protection. May Agni, praised by us, approach with our hymns, together with Heaven, Earth, and the well-praised rivers. Seeking cattle and barley, with enduring sound, may the red ones choose the best. That wondrous radiance has been placed for the form—the brilliance of the mighty god from whom it was born. When thought approaches and accomplishes, the cows of truth bring forth flowing streams. The shining one, rich in fathers, always lies down; the second is among the seven nurturing mothers. For the milking of this bull, the women generate the third, the tenfold wise one. Thus, through praise, offering, and song, the eternal truths and powers are honored, the gods invoked, and the cosmic order upheld.