In the sacred dawn, the seekers of truth and prosperity gathered, their hearts full of longing and reverence. Their voices rose in invocation, first to the Ashvins, the swift and benevolent twins, and to Pushan, the self-sustaining guardian of the paths. They called upon Vishnu, Vata, and the ingenious Ribhus, those who are ever free from enmity, praying that these deities would look kindly upon the assembly and turn the favor of the gods towards them. They yearned for the radiance of the divine ones to abide with them—a radiance that brings growth, abundance, and a secure home. With earnest striving among the gods for wealth, they hoped to discover blessings among their people, blessings that would endure through time. Then, with deep devotion, they turned their praise to the Father—great in law and unmatched in power—by whose might Trita once struck down Vritra, the many-layered serpent. They addressed Him as the Sweet Father, the Honeyed Father, whom they had chosen as their protector. They invited Him to come with auspicious guidance, as a bringer of joy, a steadfast friend, free from hatred. They acknowledged that all nourishing essences, spread throughout the realms and established in the heavens like the winds, belonged to Him. His were the gifts, His the sweetest delights, and those who delighted in these—like strong-necked ones—found joy in His offerings. The minds of the great gods, they knew, were set in Him. By His sign, Trita had vanquished the serpent. Even when He moved among the shining mountains, there, too, the best sustenance was to be sought from the Honeyed Father. As they tasted the essence of waters and plants, they called upon Vātāpi to make these nourishing within them. They partook of soma, with the head of a cow and the head of barley, praying that Vātāpi would again make it nourishing. They asked the plants to become as nourishing as gruel, kidney, and marrow, so that all might be strengthened within. They expressed their longing to welcome the Father with glad words, as cows welcome a desired offering. From the gods, they sought Him as a companion at the feast, and for themselves, they wished for His presence at their table. Turning to the sacred fire, they kindled Agni, the victorious god, to reign among the gods and carry their offerings as the wise envoy. When the sacrifice was prepared with honey, Tanūnapāt, Agni, bestowed countless riches. Like one who summons, Agni was praised for bringing the worthy gods to the sacrifice, for he possessed a thousandfold strength. The ancient sacred grass was spread with radiance, adorned with a thousand heroes, where the Ādityas themselves shone forth. Mighty streams, shining and abundant, flowed with clarified butter, nourishing all. Upon the splendid, beautifully adorned seat, the Dawns were invited to take their place. They called upon the first, eloquent, divine priests—the wise ones—to accept their sacrifice. Bhāratī, Iḷā, Sarasvatī, and all the invoked goddesses were beseeched to inspire the assembly to glory. Tvaṣṭṛ, the sovereign shaper of all forms and creatures, was asked to offer abundance for the people. To the Lord of the Forest, they prayed for the sap to flow forth for the gods, and Agni was entreated to carry the offerings. Agni, leader of the gods, was joined with the Gāyatrī, shining in the sacred utterances of svāhā. They implored Agni to lead them on the good path to prosperity, for he knows all the ways. They asked him to keep them away from crooked sin, offering him their highest praise. They prayed that Agni would carry them safely across all hardships, that Pūṣan and the broad, vast earth would be gracious to their offspring and descendants. Agni was called upon to drive away all hostility, whether from those without fire or from hostile tribes, and to grant them land and well-being with all the immortals. They begged Agni for unfailing protection, to shine in his beloved seat, and to banish fear from his worshippers. They wished to know his further strength. They asked that the evil-doer, the enemy, or the malicious one not overpower them, nor the thief, deceiver, or reviler harm them. Agni, born of truth, was their protection, defending the singer and all who wished them harm, for he was the universal guardian. Agni, knowing both sides, was asked to seek out the ancient path for humankind, to be obeyed by those who strive, and to lead the inspired seers. The assembly voiced their utterances before the mind’s son, in the mighty fire, hoping, with a thousand sages, to attain strength and enduring prosperity for their people. In their hymns, they exalted Brihaspati, the gentle-tongued bull, with fresh songs—his radiant hymns heard by gods and mortals alike. The priests joined their voices to his, flowing forth in devotion. Brihaspati, swift and powerful, became manifold, remembered by Matarishvan. They offered praise, reverence, and exaltation to him whose hymn rises like the arms of Savitar. By his resolve, Brihaspati was unique, fierce as a wild beast, mighty, and a protector against harm. His hymn resounded in heaven and earth, carrying the weight of the unseen, overcoming obstacles as a vulture crosses waters. Those who, thinking him weak, approached Brihaspati for fortune found prosperity, for he withheld no gifts from the deserving and granted favor even to the humble. The path of the generous was well-trodden, like that of a friend who is easily pleased. Those who looked kindly upon the assembly stood fulfilled, having attained abundance. Their praise, like waters flowing to the ocean, never went astray. Brihaspati, knowing both sides, perceived within, crossing the waters with insight. Thus established, Brihaspati, the mighty bull and god born of greatness, was praised. They prayed that he would grant heroic strength and cattle, and that their people would be enduring and nourished for generations to come.