On this auspicious day, as the bright Soma is pressed and prepared, the sages call upon Indra and Vāyu, inviting these mighty heroes, accompanied by their retinues, to come and partake of the sacred drink. Their voices rise in reverence, extending the same invitation to Mitra and Varuṇa, the upholders of cosmic order, for whom this Soma has been prepared. The invocation is earnest, seeking their presence and blessing. In the highest, steadfast abode, supported by a thousand pillars, the two kings—Mitra and Varuṇa—sit without malice, their sovereignty unshaken. These lords of gifts, the Ādityas, dwell together in this firm and eternal place, their presence sanctified by offerings of clarified butter. The worshippers pray that the Ashvins, the Nāsatyas, grant them wealth, abundance of cows and horses, and that the Rudras show them noble paths. The assembled gods are praised for their might and generosity, for none—whether distant or near, mortal or enemy—can overpower them. The Ashvins are again invoked to bestow radiant and beautiful wealth, and as lords of the swift chariot, to grant wide and prosperous space. Indra is remembered for having dispelled great fear, driving it far away with his firmness and wisdom among men. The people seek his mercy, praying that harm may retreat behind them and that good fortune may stand before them. From every direction, Indra is asked to grant freedom from fear, for he is the wise conqueror of enemies. The invocation reaches out to all the gods, inviting them to gather and listen, to be seated upon the sacred grass. The strong, honey-sweet offering, prepared in the rites of Śunahotra, is set before them, and they are urged to drink this desirable libation. The gods, led by Indra and the Maruts, with Pūṣan as benefactor, are called to hear the prayers. To Sarasvati, the most motherly, the most riverly, the most divine, the worshippers turn, feeling themselves unpraised and seeking her grace. She is recognized as the one in whom all lifespans are placed, and she is asked to delight in the rites and grant offspring. The prayers and offerings of the Gṛtsamadas, devoted to truth, are lovingly presented to her, especially at the horse-rich sacrifice. The youthful and gracious goddess is chosen for the sacrifice, along with Agni, the bearer of offerings. Heaven and Earth themselves are invoked to swiftly grant the fulfillment of this sacrifice, raising it to the gods and touching the sky. The worshipful gods are invited to sit upon the altar for the Soma-drinking today. A shrill-voiced bird, announcing its birth, raises its call like a boat upon the waters. The people pray for its auspiciousness, that no being may overcome it. They ask that neither eagle nor great-winged bird nor archer harm it, but that it may follow the ancestral path, speaking words of blessing. From the right side of the house, the bird is called to utter auspicious speech, so that neither thief nor ill-wisher may rule, and that the people may speak boldly in the assembly, strong in men. As the singers move to the right and birds speak in due season, the bird utters both kinds of speech, like the singers of the Sāma, following both the Gāyatra and Triṣṭubh meters. The bird is praised as a singer of the Sāma, as a priest’s son at the sacrifice, and as a stallion delighting in its foal. From every side, it is asked to speak what is good and auspicious. The bird is urged again to speak favorably, to grant silent favor when seated, and when it flies and calls shrilly, that the people may speak powerfully in the assembly, strong among men. Turning to Agni, the sages recount how he made himself the mighty fire for the worship of Soma. Shining brilliantly, Agni leads the gods to the stone for peace, and the offering is placed before him. The sacrifice is prepared with devotion, the song grows, and Agni is honored with kindling and reverence. The wise ones, seeking the path for the Gṛtsamada’s devotion, have ordained from heaven. Agni, wise and pure-minded, friend of heaven, established joy for the earth at his birth. The gods found this radiant one hidden among the waters, among his sisters. They caused the seven swift rivers to grow; Agni, the shining, unreddened one, was born in greatness, and like a newborn child, the gods nurtured him. With radiant limbs, Agni stretched out the realms, purifying wisdom with the poets’ offerings, wearing brilliance as he moved around the waters, measuring vast and unfailing splendors. He traversed boundaries, unwearying and unimpeded, accompanied by the young ones of heaven, clothed in brightness but without fire. Here, the ancient maidens, sharing a womb, placed one embryo, the seven voices. For Agni, all forms were united and spread out, and in the womb of ghee, streams of honey flowed. The nourishing cows stood there, the great harmonious mothers of the wondrous one. Agni, brown and strong, shone forth, bearing bright, vigorous forms, and where he grew through wisdom, streams of honey and ghee poured out. By birth, Agni discerned even his father’s udder, releasing streams from two cows. Moving secretly with friendly, auspicious companions, with the young ones of heaven, he was never hidden. He bore the embryo of father and creator; the ancient one drank and grew full, and for the mighty, his pure spouse and kin protected both. In the wide, unobstructed space, the waters nourished Agni for fame, many indeed. In the womb of truth, the wondrous one rested—Agni among his sisters, offspring of mothers. Like a brown bull in the assembly of the mighty, eager to be seen, he shone for the son; Agni, the creator, the most active, the young one, the embryo of waters. This embryo of waters, most visible among plants, was produced by the woods, fortunate and of many forms. Even the gods united their minds, honoring the powerful newborn. The great shining ones accompanied Agni, radiant as lightning; as if grown in secret in his own seat, within the farthest womb, they milked the immortal. The sacrificer invokes Agni with offerings, seeking friendship and gracious favor. Agni is asked to measure out help with the gods for the worshipper and to protect with the hosts of the noble. Thus, with reverence and devotion, the sages offer their prayers and sacrifices, seeking the blessings of the gods for peace, prosperity, and auspiciousness in all realms.