In the radiant dawn of creation, Savitar, the divine inspirer, moved amongst the gods, bestowing upon them the highest gift—immortality itself. With his boundless generosity, he loosened the bonds that hold mortals, granting the blessing of life to all living beings. To him, the gods turned as the first and most worshipful, for from his hands came the power to release and to sustain. Yet, the hearts of mortals are frail, and in the company of gods and men alike, errors are made in weakness and unknowing. To Savitar, the supplicants lifted their voices, beseeching him to cleanse them of unconscious wrongs, to grant sinlessness and restore purity amidst the divine assembly. Savitar’s greatness could not be measured or surpassed. He upheld the entire world, bestowing upon it all the breadth of earth and the vastness of the sky. From the mighty, Indra-blessed mountains and the dwellings below, Savitar poured out prosperity upon every household. His impulses, steadfast and true, spread out like birds taking flight in all directions, ensuring the world’s harmony. Accompanying him were his swift companions, who, three times each day, brought good fortune, their blessings sought by all. May Indra, Heaven and Earth, the river Sindhu with her waters, and Aditi with the Adityas, grant shelter to those who call upon them. Among the Vasus, who is the giver of garments, who the protector? The supplicants called upon Heaven and Earth, upon Aditi, to keep them from fear. To mighty Varuna and Mitra, they asked: who among you grants mortals safe passage in the sacrifice? Those ancient ones, from the very beginning, established the eternal ordinances. When they ascend, these wise and unfailing deities uphold the everlasting laws, shining forth with righteous thoughts. With hymns, Aditi and the river Sindhu are praised for well-being and friendship, while Day and Night, undeceivable Ushas and Night, are invoked to act for the benefit of all. Aryaman and Varuna stretched out the paths for mortals, and Agni, the Lord of food, led them to good fortune. Indra and Vishnu, praised among men, are called to bring shelter and protection, to come swiftly to the aid of their devotees. From the mountains, the Maruts’ protection is sought, along with the saving grace of Bhaga. Mitra, the lord, is entreated to guard against harm, ensuring that none are oppressed among men. Heaven and Earth, with the serpent of the deep, are praised as goddesses with chosen offerings. Like rivers flowing together to the sea, may all the streams, full of warmth and sweetness, unite their waters. May Aditi, with all the gods, protect those who worship, and may the savior god come without delay. For none are worthy to transgress the commands of Mitra and Varuna, nor to stray from the path of Agni. Agni, lord of wealth and great good fortune, is asked to bestow his blessings, while Dawn is invoked to bring generous gifts, many prizes, and strength. May Savitar, Bhaga, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, and Indra come with their bounty, showering prosperity upon the people. Great Heaven and Earth are called to be present, supreme in radiance, shining with pure rays. When these two mighty powers measured out the wide spaces, the great bull spread them forth with his strength. The goddess, together with the worshipful gods, stands firm and unshaken, true to order and free from guile, daughters of the god, leaders of the sacrifice, shining with pure hymns. He alone, self-dependent among beings, begot Heaven and Earth, joining together the broad and deep realms, harmonizing them in their foundations through wisdom and might. Heaven and Earth are asked to grant great protection, united like loving spouses, eager to help and guard their devotees. With wisdom, may all be charioteers at the sacrifice, guided and protected. To Heaven and Earth, a great hymn of praise is offered, inviting them, the pure ones, to come near and be glorified. Renewing themselves in their own forms, they rule with inherent power, upholding order since ancient times. Mitra’s aid is great, upholding truth and encompassing the sacrifice, sitting around it in blessing. With the Lord of the field as ally, mortals are assured of victory, like warriors with a chariot. He, who nourishes cattle and horses, is asked to be gracious, pouring out sweet, abundant waves like a cow her milk. The lords of nectar are invoked to favor the people with honey-dripping, well-purified ghee. May the plants, the heavens, the waters, and the midspace all be sweet; may the Lord of the field be sweet to those who dwell upon him, and may they move without harm. May the oxen, the men, the plough, the yokes, and the goad all be auspicious as the earth is tilled. Śunāsīra is called to accept the words of praise, he who made the milk in the sky, and with it, to sprinkle the field. Sītā, the fortunate and fruitful one, is honored so that she may be gracious and yield abundance. May Indra take hold of Sītā, may Pūṣan settle her, so that she, rich in milk, brings forth harvest after harvest. May the ploughshares till the earth with good fortune, the ploughmen approach with auspiciousness, and the rain-clouds, together with Śunāsīra, bestow prosperity. From the ocean rises a honeyed wave, swelling with foam and bearing immortality. There, in that secret place, is the name of ghee—the tongue of the gods, the navel of nectar. The name of ghee is declared in sacrifice, upheld with reverence, as the inspired poet hears the hymn and the four-horned bull proclaims it. This bull has four horns, three feet, two heads, and seven hands; bound threefold, he bellows, the great god entering mortals. The gods discovered the ghee, hidden in the cow, divided threefold and guarded by hands. Indra generated one part, Sūrya another, and the third was shaped by Venā’s own power. From the heart, from the ocean, these streams flow a hundredfold, difficult to cross. The streams of ghee, with golden reeds in their midst, are beheld, flowing rightly like cows and rivers, purified in heart and mind. These waves of ghee rush forth, eager as wild beasts for their lair, roaring and swift as the wind, breaking barriers and swelling with waves. Together they flow, adorned and smiling upon Agni, kindling the sacred fires that Jātavedas joyfully accepts. Like maidens eager for a husband, anointed and adorned, they gather where Soma is pressed and the sacrifice is made, and the streams of ghee flow forth. May these streams, flowing with excellent praise, bring cattle and bestow auspicious wealth. May the gods lead the sacrifice, and may the streams of ghee flow with honeyed sweetness, blessing all creation.