In the earliest dawn, the great and beloved supports of the cosmos, Mitra and Varuna, stood firm, upholding righteousness vast as the heavens. Like skilled farmers yoking a cow, they set the waters into motion, bringing forth the very skill that shaped the sky. By their immense power, they removed the coverings that concealed creation; the dust and foundations settled, and above, a resonant stir sought the sun, as the radiant Dawns approached, graceful and skilled as wise women. To these mighty ones, the long-haired seeker came, yearning for immortality, honoring Mitra and Varuna, who are praised as guides upon the true path. With their own power, they released and nourished the thoughts of the devotee, inspiring the poet’s mind with wisdom. Those who worship with true sacrifice, the sage priests who prepare hymns with devotion, find Mitra and Varuna guiding their worship, attending to their songs, bestowing favor. From the beginning, these two were adorned with sacrifice and cattle, righteous as the mind in motion. Thoughtfully composed hymns carry them, and with undiminished mind, they grant rich gifts. They bear and bestow wealth, protecting the mighty with their powers; their greatness is untouched by the passage of days, by rivers, by other divinities, or by the striving of merchants. Mitra and Varuna clothe themselves in radiant garments, their thoughts flawless, their creations true. Together, they uphold all things with unwavering truth, dispelling all falsehood. Their wisdom is known among people; their counsel, praised by sages, is mighty indeed. The divine ordinances they first established are firm, their judgments sharp and powerful. The first among the footed ones sets out, a mystery known only to Mitra and Varuna. The embryo bears its burden—upholding truth, casting aside falsehood, fulfilling the cosmic order. The lover of the young maidens circles about, never quite arriving, while another, clothed and expansive, never falls—the very abode beloved by Mitra and Varuna. Born without horse or whip, the roaring one runs on, his summit high; young men cherish the unintelligent hymn, singing praise to the dwelling of Mitra and Varuna. May the nourishing cows, devoted to the wise, bring forth abundance; may the knower of the paths seek sustenance, awakening Aditi to grant vastness. With offerings and reverence, the people turn to Mitra and Varuna, seeking their favor through cherished hymns and prayers. May their hymns triumph in battle, and may the celestial rains be most favorable. Thus, Mitra and Varuna are worshipped together with offerings and clarified butter, as priests carry their gifts through devoted thought. Hymns, well-composed, reach them, and when invoked in sacrifice, the wise bring forth their favor. Aditi, the nourishing cow, pours out her offering for truth and for the people, in honor of Mitra and Varuna; as the priest honors them, so too does the human offer gifts. Even among the intoxicating drinks, the cows, and the waters, the divine ones nourish Mitra and Varuna. May the ancient Lord grant us the protection of the tawny cow’s milk. Now, let the mighty deeds of Vishnu be proclaimed—he who measured out the earthly realms, who established the upper abode by striding thrice across the worlds. Vishnu is praised for his valor, likened to a fierce wild beast roaming the mountains, in whose three great strides all the worlds dwell. Let the hymn rise to Vishnu, the wide-striding, strong lord of the mountains, who alone measured out this vast abode with three steps. These steps are filled with honey, delighting by their own nature; Vishnu alone upholds the earth, the heavens, and all the worlds. May we attain his beloved path, where the devoted rejoice, for the wide-strider Vishnu’s supreme place is the fountain of honey. We long to reach his abodes, where the many-horned cows roam, and where the supreme place of the mighty wide-strider shines forth in abundance. Praise is offered for Vishnu, protector of the drinker, with thoughtful song. Those who stood upon the mountain slopes, unassailable, have attained greatness, swift as the wind. Indra and Vishnu, fierce and swift, protect those who partake of soma, defending mortals and overcoming the weak and strong alike. They increase the strength of the mighty; mothers lead the seed to the bearer; the son places the lower and upper name of the father, the third in the shining realm of heaven. The savior’s strength is praised—unerring, generous, traversing the earth in three strides for the sake of life. Two of his strides are visible to mortals, who gaze and wonder; the third, none can reach—not even the birds of the sky. With four together and ninety names, like a revolving wheel, Vishnu moves without ceasing; his great form is measured by hymns, and the youthful, vigorous one responds to the summons. Vishnu is to be approached as a gracious friend, delighting in offerings of ghee, radiant in glory, spreading forth with his stride. Even the wise should offer praise and sacrifice to Vishnu, the ancient and ever-new creator, of noble birth. He who proclaims Vishnu’s greatness from birth attains true fame. Singers, as of old, nurture Vishnu as the embryo of truth with their songs, declaring his name and seeking his favor. King Varuna, the Ashvins, and the wise Maruts share in his power; Vishnu, the friend, upholds supreme skill, filling the world without weariness. Vishnu, more skillful than the skillful, apportioned the divine share for Indra, the doer of good; he set Aryaman in the threefold seat and bestowed upon the worshiper a share of the order. As Agni awakens and the sun rises, the shining dawns blaze with light. The Ashvins yoke their chariot for the journey, and Savitar, the god, sets all beings apart. When the Ashvins, vigorous and strong, yoke their chariot, they shower strength, ghee, and honey upon the people. Hymns inspire them in battle, and the favored win riches. Let the swift, honey-bearing chariot of the Ashvins, drawn by strong steeds, come near, well-praised; may the generous, three-yoked chariot bring prosperity and well-being to all creatures. The Ashvins bring nourishment with their honeyed whip, grant sweet food, guide safely across dangers, remove misfortunes and hatred, and remain constant companions. They have placed the embryo in all living beings and are present in every world; the mighty Ashvins kindle Agni, the plants, and the trees. They are healers with their remedies and charioteers with their chariots, establishing power for all who worship with offering and mind. Thus, the hymns of the sages honor Mitra and Varuna, Vishnu the wide-strider, and the swift, healing Ashvins, celebrating their mighty deeds, their protection, and their blessings for the world and all its creatures.