As the world still lingered in the gentle hush of night, Dawn, the generous goddess, began her sacred journey. Like a devoted wife seeking her beloved, she moved with purpose and grace, the mistress of the morning, radiant and fortunate. Her bright rays unfurled from the farthest reaches of heaven, spreading their golden touch down to the waiting earth. To this luminous Dawn, the people offered their reverent praise, weaving beautiful hymns in her honor. High in the sky, her strength poured forth like sweet honey, her brilliance shining in the luminous realm above, a wondrous sight that filled all hearts with awe. Upholder of order, Dawn awakened with the celestial rays, standing splendid and lovely between earth and sky. The faithful called upon Agni, the divine fire, to bring the shining Dawn near, asking for her favor and the blessings of prosperity. At the very foundation of truth, the Dawns were kindled, their light igniting the vast expanse of heaven and earth. The mighty one entered this cosmic stage, and the great magic of Mitra and Varuṇa filled the world. Dawn’s radiant light, like the gentle glow of the moon, spread everywhere, illuminating all with her gentle touch. In this sacred time, the sages raised their voices in praise. They remembered Indra and Varuṇa, the youthful and powerful, and wondered: where now is your glory, O mighty ones, by which you turn the tide against your enemies and grant victory to your friends? With devotion, they called upon Indra and Varuṇa, together with the Maruts, to hear their invocations both by day and by night. They prayed for wealth, asking Indra and Varuṇa to bestow their gifts, and wished for the Maruts to grant them heroic riches. They sought the protection of the goddesses and the support of the priestly Bharati, who sustains the worshippers with her gifts. Turning their offerings to Bṛhaspati, the wise lord of prayers and god of all the gods, they asked him to be pleased and to grant treasures to those who worship. With pure hymns, they honored Bṛhaspati at the sacrifices, recognizing his unmatched strength and his bull-like, unconquered nature among peoples. To Bṛhaspati, manifold in form and ever victorious, they offered their devotion. A new and well-praised hymn was then offered to Pūṣan, the radiant one, asking him to accept their song and support their prayers, as a suitor cherishes a maiden. They called upon Pūṣan, who sees all things and beholds all worlds, to be their protector. With hearts uplifted, they turned their minds to the divine Savitar, longing to contemplate his excellent radiance and praying that he would inspire their thoughts. Seeking strength and bounty, they invoked Bhaga and Savitar, desiring their grace and abundance. The wise, inspired by devotion, honored Savitar with sacrifices and well-spoken hymns. Soma, the sacred elixir, journeyed forth, knowing all the paths, reaching the assembly of the gods and settling in the womb of truth. The people prayed that Soma would grant them abundance, free from sickness, for both bipeds and quadrupeds. Soma, increasing the lifespan of the faithful and overcoming their adversaries, took his honored seat in the divine assembly. Mitra and Varuṇa were then invoked to pour forth clarified butter, bestowing fertile pastures and honeyed realms upon the people. Wide-praised and strengthened by reverence, these deities reigned in greatness and skill, pure in their vows and possessing the longest lives. Together with Jamadagni, the sages praised them, inviting them to drink the Soma and to increase the power of truth. In the midst of these offerings, Agni, the sacred fire, shone forth. The gods, ever seeking, had established him as the immortal, unfailing one among mortals, the wise god of gods, worthy of all sacrifice. Agni was called to draw near to his brother Varuṇa and to the most gracious of the gods, the upholder of truth, the Āditya, supporter and king of peoples. As a friend approaches a friend, Agni was invited to come swiftly, bringing delight and happiness. With Varuṇa and the Maruts, shining among all, Agni was asked to bless the people and their offspring, to make them shine and bring them joy. Agni, knowing the will of Varuṇa, was entreated to drive away anger and all hatreds, to be the nearest protector at the breaking of dawn, to bring Varuṇa with favor, and to be easy to invoke. His vision, the best and most fortunate among mortals, was celebrated—pure and precious, radiant and splendid. Three are the highest, true, and precious births of Agni, endless within the end, pure and noble, shining in his glory. As a messenger, Agni called all to the dwelling, the priest with a golden chariot and delightful tongue, drawn by red horses, always joyful, like a father among his kin. Awakening, Agni became the ally of men in sacrifice, guiding them through difficult paths and bringing them into companionship with the gods. May Agni, knowing all, lead the faithful to the treasure, the god-given gift, as Heaven and Earth, the true creators, let their blessings rain down. Agni was born first in the dwellings, in the great depth of the atmosphere, hidden in his womb, footless and headless, the young ones in the bull’s lair. The host of gods arose, perceiving first in the womb of truth, in the bull’s lair; seven beloved ones were born for the mighty one, precious and wondrous. In ancient times, the human forefathers, longing for truth, pressed forward. Breaking through stone barriers, they discovered the rich, milk-yielding treasures hidden within, calling forth the radiant dawns. With desire for cows, they shattered the enclosing rock, releasing the cattle that circled within; with divine speech, they broke open the stronghold rich in cows. They discerned the first name of the cow, finding the three and seven supreme treasures of the mother. Knowing this, the groups hastened together, and the red, glorious forms of the cow became manifest. The darkness vanished; the milk shone bright; the sky was illuminated; the sun’s radiance was set in motion by the divine dawns. The great sun stood in the open space, watching over mortals, observing both the righteous and the unrighteous. From the beginning and the end, the awakened ones revealed the paths and bore the heaven-allotted treasure. And so, the sages prayed: may all the gods, O Mitra and Varuṇa, grant truth in every dwelling.