With a heart full of reverence, a devotee approaches Varuṇa, the king of cosmic order, and pleads, “O king, remove the debts of sin I have incurred; let me not suffer for another’s wrongdoing. May the dawns, bright and many, shine forth upon us, granting us life in their radiance, Varuṇa.” Seeking protection from all threats, the devotee continues, “If a king, a companion, or anyone in a dream has spoken fearful words to me, or if a thief or a wolf seeks to harm us, protect us from them, Varuṇa.” He prays further, “May I not, O generous Varuṇa—beloved and bountiful—encounter ruin or misfortune. May I not lose wealth through ill conduct, O king. Let us speak greatly in the assembly, strong and noble.” Turning to the Ādityas, the steadfast gods who keep their vows and know the secrets of the cosmos, he calls, “Varuṇa, Mitra, O gods, you know what is auspicious. I call upon you for help.” He recognizes their generosity and strength, affirming, “You are the generous givers; you drive away hatred and protect us. Approach, come near, and support us, granting mercy today and hereafter.” Wondering what more he can offer, he asks, “What more can we do for you, O Wealthy Ones, with this or that ancient offering? Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Indra, Maruts—grant us well-being.” He seeks their presence and compassion: “You are here, O gods; show mercy to me, who am not at fault. May your chariot not pass me by; may we not grow weary while resting in you.” He acknowledges the divine guidance, “One alone has measured many gifts, as a father instructs his foolish son. Keep far away the snares and evils, O gods; do not let misfortune seize me or my child.” With confidence, he calls, “Come near today, O worshipful gods; may I be fearless. Protect us from the howling wolf and from the one who brings us down.” He prays again to Varuṇa, “May I not fall into the emptiness of one who has lost your favor, O generous king. May we not lose wealth through our own fault; may we speak mightily in the assembly, victorious with heroes.” The devotee turns to the waters, who delight in upholding truth for Savitar and Indra, as wives rejoice in their husbands. Day by day, the waters hasten, eager to act, their first creation being the flowing forth. The mother of the waters speaks to the one who would hurl the stream against Vṛtra: “The paths are ready for him; the streams rush forth for his purpose.” Indra stands upright in the mid-region, takes up his weapon against Vṛtra, and, clothed in mist, approaches the foe. With sharp weapons, Indra conquers the enemy. Bṛhaspati is called upon: “With your power, strike down the fierce sons of the demon as one splits a stone. As you slew the foe with daring before, so now, Indra, strike down our enemy.” The devotee implores, “Hurl down the stone from the sky, O you who delight in Soma, by which you crush the enemy. In the contest for offspring and abundant cattle, grant us a share of the cows, Indra.” He praises Indra and Soma, “You raise up the strength you cherish and urge on the worshipper in need. Protect us; in this danger, make a safe place for us.” He vows not to neglect the Soma offering, “Let me not say, ‘Do not press Soma,’ out of weariness or sloth. Let him who fills me, who gives, who understands, who comes with cows—let him be my friend.” Sarasvatī is invoked, “Protect us, you who are accompanied by the Maruts, mighty, conquering enemies. Even the one who resists, striving with force, Indra strikes down—the bull among the strong.” The devotee asks, “Whoever attacks us with hatred or seeks to harm us, strike him down with your weapon. O Bṛhaspati, conquer the enemies with your arms; O king, surround the one who wishes us harm.” He prays for heroic deeds, “With our own strong men, O hero, grant us the heroic deeds you have done. May we live long, unscathed; having slain our foes, bring us their wealth.” He offers praise to the Maruts, “To you, O Maruts, I speak with praise, song, and reverence, so that we may obtain wealth, abundant in offspring, renowned day by day.” The devotee seeks the guardianship of Mitra and Varuṇa, alongside the Ādityas, Rudras, and Vasus: “May they guard our chariot as the eager ones, desiring fame, set out like birds from the nest to win the contest.” He recalls the gods mounting the chariot, victorious among the peoples, traversing the spaces, striking the earth’s ridge with their hands. Indra, lord of all peoples, is accompanied by the host of heaven and the Maruts, wise in action, following the chariot for great gain and strength. Tvaṣṭṛ, the maker of the world, along with the goddesses, has yoked the chariot; Iḷā, Bhaga, Bṛhaddiva, the two worlds, Pūṣan the provider, and the Aśvins, lords of wealth, attend. Uṣas and Naktā, the gracious goddesses alike in form, sustain all that moves. The devotee praises Earth with a new hymn, hoping for generations to be established in threefold order. He proclaims praise for the priests and for Ahibudhnya, Aja Ekapad, Trita, the Ṛbhus, and Savitṛ, who have set the wise path, and the child of the waters, shining with insight, is at peace. He acknowledges the offerings fashioned by the skilled for the new rite, and, seeking glory and strength, desires to strive like a team of horses yoked to a chariot, with their thoughts. Turning to Heaven and Earth, he prays, “Be supporters of my speech, which seeks the right; you carry life across. For you, this ancient praise is set forth; grant us great wealth.” He asks that the hidden foe, the destroyer of life, may not harm them, nor any evil come from them. He pleads, “Let not your friendship be withdrawn from us; may you grant us what we seek with kindly mind.” With eager mind, he calls for fulfillment, as a cow yielding milk, ever nourishing and generous. He urges Heaven and Earth with their steps and voice to bring victory to all peoples. He invokes Rākā, easy to call and well-praised, asking her to hear and attend, to sew together the work with an unbroken thread, and to grant a hero, a singer of praise. He asks Rākā for her fair favors, by which she gives riches to the worshipper, to come today, bestowing abundant wealth. Sinīvālī, broad-hipped and sister of the gods, is called to accept the offering and grant offspring. He praises Sinīvālī, the mistress of the house, who has beautiful arms, lovely fingers, and bears many children, offering her the oblation. He calls upon Sinīvālī, Rākā, Sarasvatī, Indrāṇī for aid, and Varuṇānī for well-being. Finally, he turns to Rudra, father of the Maruts, asking, “May your favor come to you; may you keep us from the sun’s harm; may your hero protect us in battle; may we beget offspring with our progeny.” He asks Rudra, “With your most healing remedies, may I live a hundred winters; drive away hatred, misfortune, sickness, and all evil influences.” He praises Rudra’s splendor, “You are the best-born, most powerful of the powerful, strong-armed. Deliver us from utmost sin, grant us well-being, drive away all fear and harm.” He prays not to anger Rudra with homage, praise, or invocation, and seeks his remedies, for Rudra is known as the best physician among healers. Thus, the devotee’s heartfelt prayers flow from one god to another, seeking protection, blessings, and guidance, honoring each with praise and offerings, and trusting in their mercy and power to uphold righteousness and grant well-being to all.