In the sacred dawn, the wise invoke the beautiful names of the gods, whose wisdom and presence become all-encompassing for Indra. Together with the Ṛbhus, those much-invoked friends, and their dear companions, the devotees seek to shape their thoughts for success, asking the gods to bless their endeavors. Aryaman and Aditi, ever worthy of sacrifice, uphold the unbroken vows of Varuṇa. The travelers pray to them: may they unite us with offspring, grant fruitful paths, and provide cattle for our journeys, so that every step is blessed. The messenger of the gods, born in many forms, all-knowing and sinless, is called upon to speak to the worshippers. May earth, heaven, and the waters listen; may the sun, the stars, and the vast midspace heed these prayers. Even the mighty mountains, steadfast and nourished, are asked to hear, rejoicing in their strength. Aditi with the Ādityas, and the Maruts, are invoked for auspicious protection, their presence a shield for the devotees. The path to the fathers is wished to be easy, the gods to moisten the plants with honey, ensuring abundance. Bhaga is called upon for unwavering friendship, so that the devotee may reach the dwelling of the generous unharmed. Agni, swift and radiant, is invited to enjoy the offerings and shine forth with the oblations. The devotees ask for renown, for Agni’s favor in every contest, and for victory over foes, so that Agni’s light brings all good fortune. When the dawns, earlier than all, shine forth, the great, imperishable mark of the cow is born. Following the divine ordinances, the mighty one approaches, embodying the single, supreme lordship of the gods. The prayer continues: let none of the gods, nor the ancient fathers who know the path, withdraw from us. The sign of their presence lies within the two ancient abodes, asserting the great, single lordship of the gods. Desires wander in many places, yet the seeker strives for the ancient things with peace. With Agni kindled, the devotees speak rightly, recognizing the supreme lordship that governs all. The same king, apportioned, lies in many places, joined to sleepers and forests. One mother bears the calf, another holds it, all under the singular authority of the gods. Some do not abandon the later for the former; suddenly, among the young, new ones are born. The pregnant bear, the silent do not speak, yet all are governed by the single lordship. Beyond and here, the two-mothered one moves bound, while the single calf wanders. These are the ordinances of Mitra and Varuṇa, upholding the great lordship. The two-mothered Hotar, sovereign in assemblies, moves forward while the base remains. The lovely ones utter lovely speech, all under the divine lordship. Like a hero fighting at the end, the sovereign sees all before him. Hidden in the cow, he moves within the mind, the supreme lordship ever present. The gray messenger moves within, trembling, radiant in the great one. Bearing many forms, he looks upon the devotees from all sides, his lordship constant. Viṣṇu, the guardian, protects the highest path, upholding beloved, immortal abodes. Agni knows all worlds, maintaining the singular rule. Diverse, twin forms are fashioned: one shines bright, the other is dark. Tawny and ruddy, the two sisters, both under the supreme lordship. Where mother and daughter, both cows, yield milk together, abundantly, they sit within the seat of truth, the lordship undivided. The cow, having mounted, places her calf in another; by what being does she set it down? Swelling with the milk of truth, she flows forth, all beneath the gods’ rule. With her foot, she wears many forms, standing upright, moving with three supports. In the abode of truth, the devotee moves, knowing the singular lordship. As if a foot were set within, one is hidden, one manifest. The path is straight, but one strays, yet all are under the gods’ rule. Let the cows, ever-yielding, milk abundantly for the devotees, never failing, ever new and young, under the single lordship. When the bull bellows among the others, he places his seed in another herd. He is lord of the nights, dispenser and king, his rule supreme. Let the heroic nobility be proclaimed, the horse-wealth of the people, and wisdom known by the gods. Sixteen yoked, five by five, draw it, all under the gods’ lordship. Tvaṣṭṛ and Savitṛ, of manifold forms, nourish and generate creatures in many ways. All worlds are theirs, the single lordship reigning. The great earth, even and ordered, and the broad sky are established by divine wealth. The heroic one, seeking riches, is heard, the gods’ rule supreme. This earth, all-supporting, abides for the devotees, like a friendly king. Like heroes in the forecourt, sheltered, all are under the gods’ lordship. Plants, waters, and earth bear wealth for Indra. The devotees wish to be his friends, sharing in his gifts, under the single rule. Neither cunning nor wisdom can diminish the first, steadfast ordinances of the gods. The two worlds, unbetraying, with known boundaries, and the firm mountains, have not declined. Six bearers, one moves alone, upholding the highest order; cows come near. Three great ones stand above, steadfast; two are hidden, one is seen. The bull, with threefold birth and manifold forms, rich in offspring, rules with three faces. He is the seed-holder, the eternal bull. Awakening to these paths, the devotees call upon the beautiful name of the Ādityas. Even the divine waters delight in him, moving separately, all surrounding him. Three are the abodes, three the rivers, three the wise ones, and three the mothers, sovereign in assemblies. Three righteous maidens, and three from heaven, rule in the assembly. Thrice from heaven, Savitṛ is beseeched to bring blessings, day by day, threefold light. Wealth in three measures is sought, from Bhaga, Protector, and Dhīṣaṇā. Thrice from heaven, Savitṛ with his strength, and the kings Mitra and Varuṇa with fair hands, along with the waters and both worlds, seek the treasure for Savitṛ’s impulse. Three highest shining realms, three heroes rule of the mighty lord. Righteous, powerful, hard to overcome, thrice from heaven, the gods are present in the assembly. The wise discern the wandering cow, unguarded, and she yields abundant milk at once. Indra, Agni, and the seekers obtain it from her. Indra and Pūṣan, mighty and skilled, milk her, delighting in the sky. When all the gods strive within her, the Vasus are called upon for favor. The wives of the bull desire his power, honoring him, knowing the embryo within. The cows, longing for their calf, move about, bearing wondrous forms. The devotee speaks forth to both worlds, well-joined, with the stone yoked in the rite, with insight. These, O you of many gifts, rise up for Manu, splendid and worthy of worship. Thus, the story unfolds: the gods’ lordship is singular, supreme, weaving through dawns, cows, bulls, mothers and daughters, earth and sky, and all assemblies. The seekers, invoking the divine, honor the ancient ordinances, the hidden paths, and the wondrous forms, seeking blessings, prosperity, and truth, ever under the great, single lordship of the gods.