In the ancient dawn, the hymn resounds for the gods, cherished by the young men though its meaning is yet unclear to them. Born without horse or whip, the roaring one rises, his summit high, as voices sing praise to the abode of Mitra and Varuna. May nourishing cows, devoted to wisdom, bring forth abundance; may he who knows the ways seek sustenance, stirring to awaken Aditi, the mother, to grant vastness. Turning to Mitra and Varuna, the people approach with offerings, reverence, and prayer, seeking their favor and victory in battles, and asking that the celestial rain be most favorable. Together, the worshippers honor Mitra and Varuna with clarified butter, as priests carry forth their gifts through sacred thoughts. The well-composed hymn reaches them, invoked by the wise priest in ritual, bringing their favor to the mighty ones. Aditi, the nourishing cow, pours out offerings for truth and the people, as priest and human alike honor Mitra and Varuna. Among intoxicating drinks, cows, and waters, the divine ones nourish the gods, and the ancient lord grants protection with the milk of the tawny cow. Now, the mighty deeds of Vishnu are proclaimed: he who measured out the earthly realms and established the upper abode, striding widely three times. Vishnu is praised for his valor, fierce as a wild beast roaming the mountains, in whose three great strides all the worlds dwell. Hymns go forth to Vishnu, the wide-striding, strong lord of the mountains, who alone measured out this extended abode with three steps. These steps are filled with honey, delighting by their own nature; Vishnu alone upholds earth, heavens, and all the worlds. May the beloved path of Vishnu be attained, where devoted men rejoice, for the wide-strider’s supreme place is the fountain of honey. Worshippers desire to reach his abodes, where cows with many horns roam, and the supreme place of the mighty one shines forth abundantly. Praise is offered to Vishnu, protector of the drinker, sung with thought, as those standing on the mountain slopes attain greatness like the swift. Indra and Vishnu, fierce and swift, protect the drinkers of soma, defending mortals and overcoming both weak and strong. 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. Their strength is praised—the savior, unerring and generous—who traversed the earthly realms with three strides for life. Two of Vishnu’s strides are visible to mortals, who gaze and wonder, but the third none dares to reach, not even the birds in the sky. With four together and ninety names, like a revolving wheel, he moves without stopping; his great form is measured with hymns, the youthful, vigorous one responding to the summons. Approach Vishnu as a gracious friend, delighting in offerings of ghee, resplendent in glory, spreading forth with his stride. Even one who knows should offer praise and sacrifice, worthy with oblations. He who gives to Vishnu, the ancient and ever-new creator of noble birth, and proclaims his greatness from birth, attains fame, even that which is to be yoked. The singers, as of old, nurture Vishnu as the embryo of truth with their song, knowing his name, declaring it, seeking his great favor. King Varuna, the Ashvins, and the wise Maruts share in Vishnu’s power; Vishnu, the friend, upholds supreme skill and, unwearied, fills the enclosure. More skillful than the skillful, Vishnu apportions the divine share for Indra, the doer of good; the creator sets Aryaman in the threefold seat and bestows the worshiper with a share of order. Agni awakens, the sun rises, and the shining dawns blaze with light. The Ashvins yoke their chariot for the journey, and Savitar, the god, sets all beings apart. When the vigorous Ashvins yoke their chariot, may they shower strength, ghee, and honey; may the hymn inspire them in battles, and may the favored win riches. Let the Ashvins’ swift, honey-bearing chariot, drawn by strong steeds, come near, well-praised. May the generous one, three-yoked, bring prosperity and grant well-being to bipeds and quadrupeds. The Ashvins bring nourishment with their honeyed whip, grant sweet food, lead safely across, remove misfortunes, drive away hatred, and are constant companions. They have placed the embryo in living beings, present in all the worlds; the mighty Ashvins kindle Agni and the plants and trees. As healers with remedies and charioteers with chariots, they establish power for those who worship with offering and mind. O generous Rudras, abundant in riches and strength, grant favor in invocation; wondrous ones, when Aucathya calls, you come with swift aid. Who will worship you for this favor, O givers of wealth, as you approach the cow’s place with reverence? Grant splendid gifts, moving with desire as with the mind. When your chariot is yoked for Tugra’s son, it is set amidst the waters; may shelter be found in your protection, like a hero fleeing from pursuit. Let Aucathya’s praise reach you, O mighty ones; let not the three-winged bird drink me dry, nor the envious one harm me, nor the one bound in the snare consume the earth. Let not the rivers swallow me, nor the Dāsas bind me tightly; when the head of the Dāsa is struck by Traitana, his own chest and shoulders are broken. Dīrghatamas, son of Mamata, has served in the tenth cycle; as the ascetic of the waters, he becomes the charioteer of the inspired ones. The vast earth and sky are praised, grown strong through sacrifice and truth, in assemblies with understanding; divine sons of gods, with the gods, achieve great powers by wisdom. The mind of the father is considered, not hostile, and the self-power of the mother, with invocations; the parents, rich in seed, made the earth vast, with immortal paths for offspring. Skillful and wise sons, borne by the two mothers for ancient insight, preserve the true path of the son, undivided, in the law of the standing and the moving. Magicians possessing good understanding, measured out, being of one womb, paired and dwelling together; ever new, the wise ones with bright insight weave the thread in heaven, within the ocean. Thus, the hymns and prayers flow, honoring the divine, proclaiming their mighty deeds, seeking favor, protection, and abundance, and weaving the eternal thread of truth through earth, heaven, and all the worlds.