The sages gathered, their hearts full of devotion, and began their sacred rites, invoking the nourishing essence of soma. They honored soma with the head of a cow and with the head of barley, partaking of its strength and praying, “O Vātāpi, become nourishing within us.” Turning to the sacred plant itself, they entreated, “O plant, become as nourishing as gruel, as kidney, as marrow—may you give us strength from within, O Vātāpi.” With gratitude, they welcomed the divine Father, longing to receive him with words of praise, as cows eagerly receive their cherished offering. They sought his companionship at the feast, both from the gods and for themselves, desiring his presence to sanctify their gathering. As the fire was kindled, Agni, the divine envoy, was invoked to reign victorious among the gods that day. The wise priests called upon Agni to carry their offerings, knowing that when the sacrifice was prepared with honey, Tanūnapāt would bestow countless riches. Agni was praised as the summoner, the one who should bring the worthy gods to their sacrifice, for he possessed a thousandfold strength. The sacred grass was spread with radiant light, recalling ancient times, and it was endowed with a thousand heroes, shining where the Ādityas themselves appeared. Mighty and abundant streams, sovereign and brilliant, flowed with clarified butter, offering their wealth to the gods. Upon a splendid, well-adorned seat, radiant with beauty, the Dawns were invited to sit, while the first, eloquent, and divine priests—the wise ones—were asked to accept the sacrifice. The sages invoked Bhāratī, Iḷā, Sarasvatī, and all the goddesses, praying for inspiration and glory. They remembered Tvaṣṭṛ, the sovereign who fashioned all forms and creatures, and asked that his abundance be offered for their sake. The Lord of the Forest was called to let his sap flow for the gods, that Agni might carry the offerings further. Agni, leader of the gods, was joined with the Gāyatrī meter, shining brightly in the sacred utterances of svāhā. The priests prayed, “Agni, lead us on the good path to prosperity, for you know all the ways. Keep us far from crooked sin. To you, we offer our highest praise.” They asked Agni to carry them safely through all hardships with his blessings, seeking the grace of Pūṣan and the broad, generous earth for their offspring and descendants. They prayed to be shielded from all hostility, whether from those who do not honor fire or from hostile peoples, and asked for land and well-being with all the immortals. “Guard us, Agni, with unfailing protection,” they pleaded. “Shine in your beloved seat. Let fear not come to your worshippers, youngest one; may we know your further strength.” They asked that no evildoer, enemy, or malicious one overpower them, and that thieves, deceivers, and revilers be driven far away by Agni’s might. The sages praised Agni, born of truth, as the protector of singers and the universal guardian against all who wish harm. They trusted Agni, who knows both sides, to seek out the ancient path for humanity, to be obeyed by those who wish to excel, and to lead the inspired seers. Their utterances were spoken in the presence of the mind’s son, in the mighty fire, so that together with a thousand sages, they might attain strength and know their enduring, nourishing people. They exalted Brihaspati, the gentle-tongued bull, with fresh hymns, whose radiant songs are heard by gods and mortals alike. The priests joined their voices in his praise, flowing like a swift and powerful stream, as Matarishvan remembered him. They offered praise, reverence, and exaltation to Brihaspati, whose hymn rises like the arms of Savitar, who is unique and fierce, a mighty protector. His hymn resounded in heaven and earth, like a charioteer whose song carries the unseen, and as the tracks of wild beasts move, so Brihaspati’s power overcame the clouds. Even those who thought Brihaspati weak and approached him for fortune found prosperity, for he withholds no gifts from the deserving and grants favor to the humble. The path of the generous was well-trodden, like that of a kindly friend—those who look upon others with kindness stand fulfilled, having attained abundance. Their praise, like waters flowing to the ocean, never went astray, unhindered by barriers. Brihaspati, knowing both sides, perceived within, crossing the waters like a vulture. Thus, Brihaspati, born of greatness and might, the bull among gods, was established. They prayed that, being praised, he would grant them heroic strength and cattle, and that they might know their enduring, nourishing people. Yet, there were also unseen forces at work, mysterious and subtle as the cry of the heron, echoing again and again. Two unseen ones, called ‘Plushi,’ had settled but not touched, remaining hidden. These unseen ones struck those who approached and those who departed, striking from above and grinding below. Arrows, false arrows, grasses, and reeds—especially the munja grass—became the weapons of these unseen enemies, all settled and yet not touching. Meanwhile, cows found shelter in the cowshed, wild animals wandered, and among the people, the unseen ones had settled without touching. At dusk, like thieves, these unseen ones appeared—seen by all, they had become awakened. Heaven was their father, earth their mother, Soma their brother, and Aditi their sister. The unseen ones, seen by all, stood firm, and the people prayed to move well among them. Whether they were on the shoulder, on the limb, needle-like, or prakaṅkata, whatever their forms, the people prayed that all these unseen ones be subdued. Then the sun rose in the sky, visible to all, destroyer of the unseen, subduing all such forces and all sorcerers. With the Aditya rising from the mountains, driving away all afflictions, the unseen were scattered. The people set their resolve in the sun, in the house of the generous, praying that neither the sun nor themselves would perish, that their bond would not be broken, and that their strength and work would be honeyed and blessed. Thus, with devotion and praise, the sages honored the gods, sought protection from Agni, strength from Brihaspati, and the blessing of the sun—so that their people might endure, nourished and prosperous, walking the good path beneath the gaze of the immortals.