In the ancient days, there lived a ruler who dwelled joyfully in his own abode, blessed with abundant nourishment flowing from all directions. The clans bowed willingly before him, for his priestly power shone foremost among rulers, guiding his people with wisdom and sacred strength. Unopposed, this king conquered and won wealth, not only from adversaries but from allies as well. He was the one who granted passage to the priest, whose assistance drew the protection of the gods upon him. Indra and Brihaspati, mighty among the deities, delighted in the Soma offered in sacrifice, drinking together and letting the self-born drops enter them. They bestowed wealth, filled with heroes, upon the faithful. Brihaspati and Indra increased the strength of their devotees, granting favor and accepting their thoughts and wise counsel. With their power, foes were shattered and hostile ones subdued. Then, the most excellent light arose before the people, dispelling darkness and revealing the paths ahead. The Dawns, daughters of heaven, shining and radiant, made a way for all, opening the gates of darkness. They appeared splendidly in front, measured like ritual voices, pure and bright. On this day, the Dawns rose to distribute generous gifts, bestowing wealth upon the awakened, while those unremarkable remained among the darkness. The singer wondered, "Who among you, O goddesses, is new or ancient? Which Dawn has come today?" He recalled how the Angiras, with their cows and the seven-mouthed one, gained riches by your grace. O Dawns, yoked with horses in truth, you swiftly traverse all worlds, awakening both two-footed and four-footed beings for the chariot. The singer pondered the ancient ones, and the actions by which the Ribhus accomplished their tasks, marveling at the Dawns’ beauty, ever bright and shining, yet whose forms are unknown and not alike nor subject to decay. Those auspicious Dawns of old were fragrant and glorious, born of truth and reality. Through hymns, the singer quickly attained abundant wealth in their presence. United in purpose, moving together from the front, the Dawns, goddesses of truth, awakened from their seat like streams of cows stirring forth. Like waves, united in color, the Dawns advanced, hiding darkness with their bright bodies, pure and radiant. O shining daughters of heaven, they were invoked to grant wealth full of offspring, awakening from their pleasant abode to make the people lords of noble strength. The singer addressed them with the sign of sacrifice, seeking renown among people, and praying that heaven and earth, the goddesses, would grant this blessing. She, the radiant daughter of heaven, rose, awakening her sister. Ushas, the mother of cows, rich in milk, became a friend to the Ashvins. She was indeed their friend, the mistress of wealth, wise and bestower of fair speech, keeping away hatred. The people approached her with songs of praise. Auspicious rays appeared like streams of cows, and Ushas opened wide a broad space for living. She filled the wide expanse, dispelling darkness with her light, following her own law. Her rays stretched to the sky and the beloved midspace, shining brightly. The people chose the great gift of the god Savitar, the wise lord, who granted protection to worshippers by his own power. Savitar, supporter of heaven and lord of beings, donned his tawny garment and generated auspicious praise. He filled the celestial and earthly regions, making his glory for his own order, stretching out his arms at the impulse and setting the world in motion with the days. Savitar, unerring, made the worlds shine, protecting creatures with his ordinances, steadfast in his vow, shining as king of the great path. By his greatness, Savitar encompassed the threefold midspace, the three regions, the three lights, ruling over three heavens, three earths, and three waters, protecting all by his own power. The great-minded, all-fostering god, master of both moving and stationary, granted shelter and triple protection from harm. Savitar came with the seasons, increasing homes, granting good offspring and food, quickening life with nights and days, bestowing wealth and offspring. Savitar became worthy of praise, honored by men at this time of day, distributing treasures to mortals and granting the best wealth. To the gods, he bestowed immortality and the highest share, loosening the bonds for the living and granting lives to mortals. Whatever unconscious wrong had been done among the divine hosts, through human weakness, Savitar was invoked to grant sinlessness. His measure could not be surpassed, as he upheld all the world, bestowing the breadth of earth and the space of sky. From the mountains and dwellings, Savitar bestowed prosperity on households, his impulses steadfast as birds flying forth. His companions, three times each day, swiftly brought good fortune. Indra, Heaven and Earth, the river Sindhu with the waters, and Aditi with the Adityas were invoked for shelter. The singer then called upon the Vasus, wondering who among them was the giver of garments and protector. Heaven and Earth, and Aditi, were invoked to keep the people from fear. Mighty Varuna and Mitra were asked who granted passage at the sacrifice for mortals. Those who, from the beginning, set forth the ancient ordinances, ascended as unfailing ones, establishing everlasting laws. The wondrous ones shone with righteous thoughts. With hymns, Aditi and the river Sindhu were praised for well-being and friendship. As Day and Night fell upon the people, the undeceivable Ushas and Night were invoked to act for their benefit. Aryaman and Varuna stretched out the paths, and Agni, Lord of food, led to good fortune. Indra and Vishnu, praised among men, were asked to bring shelter and protection, and to come to aid. From the mountain, the protections of the Maruts and Bhaga the savior were sought. Mitra, the lord, was invoked to guard from harm born among men, and to prevent oppression. Thus, through the blessings of gods and goddesses, the people lived, guided by light, protected by divine ordinances, and sustained by the gifts of dawn, day, and night.