In the sacred assembly, the generous Rudras, abundant in riches and strength, are invoked with reverence. When Aucathya calls upon them, the wondrous Rudras respond swiftly, bestowing their favor. Those who worship these givers of wealth, approaching the cow’s place with respect, are granted splendid gifts, their desires moving as swiftly as their minds. When Tugra’s son requires their aid, the Rudras yoke their chariot, setting it amidst the waters, offering shelter and protection to those who seek it, like a hero fleeing from pursuit. Aucathya’s praises rise to them, beseeching that the three-winged bird not drain him, that the envious one, eager for ten, not harm him, nor the one caught in the snare consume the earth. He prays that the motherly rivers not swallow him, nor the Dāsas bind him tightly. When Traitana strikes the Dāsa’s head, the enemy’s chest and shoulders are broken. Dīrghatamas, son of Mamata, has served through ten cycles; as an ascetic by the waters, he becomes the charioteer of the inspired ones. A hymn rises, praising the vast earth and sky, strengthened by sacrifice and truth, and celebrated in assemblies with understanding. The divine sons of the gods, together with the gods, have achieved great powers through wisdom. The mind of the father, never hostile, and the self-power of the mother are honored in invocation. These two, rich in seed, made the earth vast, establishing immortal paths for their offspring. Their sons, skillful and wise, are borne by two mothers for ancient insight. In the law of the standing and moving, they preserve the true path for the son, undivided. These magicians, paired and of one womb, dwell together, ever new, weaving the thread of wisdom in heaven, within the ocean. The favor of Savitar, most excellent, is desired today, and Heaven and Earth are asked to grant wealth, rich in goods and herds, with good understanding. Heaven and Earth, beneficent to all, uphold order and wisdom, bearing the expanse. Well-born Dhiṣaṇā moves between, god and goddess, pure as the Sun by law. Wide in extent, mighty, ever active, father and mother protect the worlds, establishing forms with wondrous might. Their son, the fire, bearing the purifier, purifies the worlds by his power. Both the cow Pṛśni and the bull, rich in seed, always yield his bright milk. He is the least among the gods, yet the helper who generated the two worlds, beneficent to all. He measures out the regions for wise action, upholding the hymn with ancient supports. Heaven and Earth are asked to grant great glory and power, spreading out peoples and bestowing strength and vigor. Questions arise: Which is the best, which the youngest, and who has not come? Who is sent as messenger, and what shall be said? The vessel, of great lineage, is not blamed, and Agni, brother, is praised for the prosperity of the wood. The gods asked that one vessel be made into four, and thus the Saudhanvanas came. If they do so, together with the gods, they become worthy of sacrifice. When the gods spoke to Agni, the messenger, they said, “Let us make a horse, a chariot, a cow, a youth.” These deeds, brothers, are performed for the gods. The Ṛbhus, having completed these tasks, asked, “Where is the messenger who has not come?” When the vessels were declared four, Tvaṣṭṛ entered among the goddesses. Tvaṣṭṛ, angered when the gods did not honor the vessel, said, “Let us slay them.” Others made new names at the pressing, some touched them with the names of maidens. Indra yoked the two bays, the Aśvins their chariot, Bṛhaspati approached the all-formed. Ṛbhu, Vibhvan, Vāja, skillful gods, came to apportion the sacrificial share. With their thought, the Saudhanvanas fashioned a cow from a hide, making the old young again. They shaped a horse from a horse, yoked the chariot, and came to the gods. “Drink this water,” they said, “or drink this pressed soma.” If the Saudhanvanas desired it, they rejoiced in the third pressing. “One asked for more water, another for more fire, another for the vessel to be distributed among many.” Speaking rightly, they filled the vessels. One carried away water from the cow’s thigh, another cut flesh for the dog, one removed dung. What, indeed, did the parents do for their sons? When they led out, they made grass for the people; when they brought back, water was given skillfully. That which is in the house of the mysterious one, the Ribhus are cautioned not to follow today. When they circled the worlds, closing in, where did the parents sit or go? He cursed the one who took the whole hand; whoever spoke out, let him speak forth. Sleeping, the Ribhus asked, “O mysterious one, who has awakened us?” The ram spoke to the dog, the awakener: “This has been revealed today after a year.” By day, the Maruts go, on earth Agni moves, the wind travels through the midspace. Varuna goes with the waters and oceans, desiring the sons of strength. In the assembly, the deeds of the race-born steed are declared, and prayers rise that neither Mitra nor Varuna nor Aryaman nor Indra nor the Ribhukṣins nor the Maruts find fault. When, with the covering cloth, the gift is led forth from the mouth of the unyoked, the well-guided, all-formed, and dear path of Indra and Pūṣan is honored. A goat, as Pūṣan’s portion, is led forth before the swift horse for all the gods, as the beloved sacrificial cake is for the swift one, urged on by Tvaṣṭṛ for Sauśravas. At the proper time, men lead the sacrificial horse three times around for the gods; the first portion of Pūṣan goes, the goat announcing the sacrifice. The Hotṛ, the Adhvaryu, the fire-kindler, the stone-holder, and the wise praiser, through well-ordered sacrifice, fill their abodes. Those who prepare, carry, and fashion the yūpa posts for the horse, and those who gather the cooking for the swift one, are praised. Inspired thoughts are placed before the gods, as wishes approach, and the wise seers rejoice in him. The horse is made a dear companion for the gods’ nourishment. Whatever halter, binding rope, head-rope, rein, or grass is placed in the horse’s mouth, let all these be with the gods. Whatever of the horse’s flesh the flies have touched, whatever is cut by knife or axe, whatever is on the hands of the carver or under the nails, let all these be with the gods. Whatever from the belly is to be removed, whatever smell of raw flesh remains, let the skilled carvers make it ready, and cook the well-boiled offering. Thus, through invocation, sacrifice, and wisdom, the gods, the earth and sky, and the inspired ones are honored, their gifts sought, their powers praised, and their protection invoked.