The tale begins with the mighty Vishnu, whose three strides are filled with honeyed sweetness, delighting all by their very nature. With these steps, Vishnu alone upholds the earth, the heavens, and all the worlds, sustaining the cosmos with his power. The devotee yearns to follow in his beloved path, the path where those devoted to the gods rejoice, seeking the supreme place of Vishnu—the wide-strider—where flows the fountain of honey, kin to all. The aspiration is to reach his abodes, the realms where the many-horned cows roam freely; there, indeed, the supreme place of the mighty, wide-striding Vishnu shines forth in abundance. Praise is offered to Vishnu, protector of those who partake in the sacred drink, with thoughtful hymns. All are urged to sing to the mighty Vishnu, whose greatness is attained by those who stand firm and unassailable on the slopes of the mountains, swift and strong. Together with Indra, fierce and swift, Vishnu protects the drinkers of soma, defending mortals and overcoming both the weak and the strong. They increase the strength of the mighty; the mothers guide the seed to its bearer, and the son places the names of the father—lower and upper—in the shining realm of heaven. The strength of Vishnu is celebrated: he is the savior, unerring and generous, who traversed the earthly realms with his three strides for the sake of life. Of these, two strides are visible to mortals, who gaze in wonder, but the third—none dare reach, not even the birds soaring in the sky. With four together and ninety names, like a revolving wheel, he moves without ceasing; his great form is measured with hymns, and the youthful, vigorous one responds to the call of the devoted. Vishnu is to be approached as a gracious friend, delighting in offerings of ghee, resplendent in his glory, spreading forth with his stride. Therefore, even those who know should praise and make sacrifices to Vishnu, making worthy oblations. He who gives to Vishnu—the ancient yet ever-new creator, noble by birth—and proclaims his greatness from the beginning, truly attains lasting fame. The singers, as in ancient times, nurture Vishnu as the embryo of truth with their songs, declaring his name and seeking his great favor. Varuṇa the king, the Aśvins, and the wise Maruts all share in Vishnu’s power. As a true friend, Vishnu upholds supreme skill and, tireless, fills the sacred enclosure. More skillful than the skillful, Vishnu apportioned the divine share for Indra, the doer of good, set Aryaman in the threefold seat, and granted the worshiper a share of the cosmic order. As the day dawns, Agni awakens, the sun rises, and the shining dawns blaze with light. The Aśvins yoke their chariot for the journey, and Savitar, the god, has set all beings in their places. When the vigorous Aśvins yoke their chariot, they shower strength, ghee, and honey upon the people. The hymn calls for their aid in battle, seeking the favor of heroes and the winning of riches. The swift, honey-bearing chariot of the Aśvins, drawn by powerful steeds, is invoked to come near, well-praised. May the generous, three-yoked chariot bring prosperity and well-being to both bipeds and quadrupeds. The Aśvins are asked to bring nourishment with their honeyed whip, to grant sweet food, to lead safely across dangers, to remove misfortune, drive away hatred, and be constant companions. They are present in all beings and all worlds, having placed the embryo of life, and have kindled Agni, the plants, and the trees. As healers with remedies and charioteers with chariots, the mighty Aśvins establish power for those who worship with offering and mind. The generous Rudras, abundant in wealth and strength, are invoked for favor, responding swiftly when called upon by Aucathya. Who will worship these givers of wealth as they approach the sacred place of the cows? The wish is for splendid gifts, moving with the heart’s desire. When their chariot is yoked for Tugra’s son, it is set amidst the waters; the devotee seeks shelter in their protection, like a hero fleeing swiftly from pursuit. Aucathya’s praise is sent to the mighty ones, asking that the three-winged bird not drink him dry, that the envious not harm him, nor the one caught in the snare consume the earth. Let not the rivers, most motherly, swallow him, nor the Dāsas, even if they have bound him tightly; for when Traitana strikes the head of the Dāsa, his own chest and shoulders are broken. Dīrghatamas, son of Mamata, has served in the tenth cycle, and as the ascetic of the waters, he becomes the charioteer of the inspired. The vast earth and sky, grown strong through sacrifice and truth, are praised in the assembly with understanding. The divine sons of the gods, with wisdom, have achieved great powers. The mind of the father and the great self-power of the mother are considered with these invocations; the two parents, rich in seed, made the earth vast and laid immortal paths for their offspring. Their sons, skillful and wise, were born for ancient insight, preserving the true path of the son in the law of the standing and the moving. Those magicians, of one womb and paired, measured out the world, ever new and wise, weaving the bright thread in heaven, within the ocean. The favor of Savitar, most excellent, is desired today in the god’s impulse; Heaven and Earth are asked to grant wealth, rich in goods and herds, with good understanding. Heaven and Earth, beneficent to all, upholders of order, wise, bear the expanse. Well-born Dhiṣaṇā moves between them, god and goddess, pure as the Sun by law. Wide in extent, mighty, ever active, the father and mother protect the worlds, establishing them with forms by firm might. The fire, son of the two parents, bearing the purifier, purifies the worlds by his power; both the cow Pṛśni and the bull, rich in seed, yield his bright milk. Though least among the gods and helpers, he generated the two worlds, beneficent to all, measuring out the regions for wise action and upholding the hymn with ancient supports. Heaven and Earth are asked to grant great glory and power, by which peoples are spread out, and to bestow strength and vigor. A question arises: which is the best, which the youngest has not come? Who is sent as messenger, and what shall be said? There is no blame for the vessel of great lineage; Agni, brother, is praised for the prosperity of the wood. The gods commanded: make one vessel into four, and so it was done. If the Saudhanvanas do this, together with the gods they become worthy of sacrifice. When the Ṛbhus spoke to Agni, the messenger, they said, “Let us make a horse, a chariot, a cow, and a youth.” These deeds, brothers, were performed for the gods. Afterward, the Ṛbhus asked, “Where is he today, the messenger who has not come?” When the vessels were declared made four, Tvaṣṭṛ entered among the goddesses, completing the work of the divine artisans. Thus unfolds the story of the gods, their mighty deeds, and the sacred order they uphold, as sung by the ancient seers in reverent hymn.