Let us now contemplate the sacred union of Heaven and Earth, honored as revered goddesses, and the serpent of the deep who dwells in the hidden waters. With offerings chosen in devotion, we praise them, just as rivers, warm and sweet, merge and journey together to the sea, their streams uniting in harmonious flow. May the goddess Aditi, accompanied by the gods, shield us with her protection. May the divine savior swiftly deliver us, for it is not for us to stray from the commands of Mitra and Varuna, nor to forsake the holy path of Agni. Agni, lord of wealth and fortune, may you bestow your treasures upon us. O radiant Dawn, bring us your generous gifts and abundant prizes, strong and gracious, filling our days with blessings. Let Savitar, Bhaga, Varuna, Mitra, Aryaman, and mighty Indra come to us, their bounty overflowing. Great Heaven and Earth, shine here in your supreme glory, your pure rays illuminating all. In the beginning, vast and mighty, you measured out the wide spaces, and the powerful bull spread them forth with his strength. The goddess, steadfast and unshaken, stands honored among the gods, receiving the sacrifices due to her. She is true to the cosmic order, free from deceit, a daughter of the god, leading the sacrifice and shining with pure hymns. He alone, self-born and wise, begot these Heaven and Earth, joining together the broad and deep realms, harmonizing them in their very foundations. Heaven and Earth, united like devoted spouses, grant us your great protection and eagerness to help. Worshipped by all, guard us, and by your wisdom, may we always be charioteers—guiding the sacrifice with skill and devotion. To you both, we offer our hymn of praise; pure ones, draw near and be glorified. Renewing yourselves in your own forms, you rule by your inherent power, upholding the eternal order since time immemorial. The support of Mitra is great, upholding truth and crossing over all obstacles; you have encompassed the sacrifice and seated yourselves around it. With the Lord of the field as our ally, we shall prevail as with a chariot in battle. May he, the nourisher of cattle and horses, be gracious to us. O Lord of the field, pour out for us a sweet, abundant wave, like a cow giving her milk. May the lords of nectar favor us with honey-dripping, purified ghee. Let the plants be sweet, the heavens and waters sweet, and may the midspace be filled with sweetness. May the Lord of the field be sweet to us, and may we walk upon him without harm. May the oxen, the men, and the plough be auspicious; may the yokes be tied with good fortune, and the goad be lifted in blessing. O Śunāsīra, accept our words, you who made the milk flow in the sky; with that celestial milk, sprinkle this field. Come near, O fortunate Sītā, we honor you; be gracious to us, fruitful and generous. May Indra take hold of Sītā, may Pūṣan settle her, and may she, rich in milk, yield us harvest after harvest. May our ploughshares till the earth with good fortune, and may the ploughmen approach in auspiciousness. May the rain-cloud, with honey and milk, and Śunāsīra, grant us prosperity. From the ocean arises a wave of honey, swelling with foam, carrying immortality. There lies the secret name of ghee—the tongue of the gods, the navel of nectar. We proclaim this sacred name in sacrifice, upholding it with reverence. The inspired poet hears the hymn recited; the four-horned bull has declared this mystery. This bull has four horns, three feet, two heads, and seven hands; bound threefold, he bellows, and the great god enters mortals. The gods discovered the ghee, hidden in the cow, divided thrice and guarded by hands. Indra created one part, Sūrya another, and Venā shaped the third by his own power. Streams flow from the heart, from the ocean, a hundredfold and difficult to cross. I behold these streams of ghee, golden reeds among them. They flow rightly, like cows, rivers purified in heart and mind. These waves of ghee rush forth like wild beasts seeking their lair. Like a river in flood, swift as the wind, the mighty streams of ghee surge; like a red stallion, they break all barriers, swelling with waves. They flow together, adorned like women, smiling upon Agni. The streams of ghee kindle the sacred fires, which Jātavedas joyfully receives. Like eager maidens, anointed and adorned, I see them where Soma is pressed, where the sacrifice is—there the streams of ghee flow. Flow forth with excellent praise, bringing cattle, bestowing auspicious wealth. Lead our sacrifice, O gods, as the streams of ghee flow with honeyed sweetness. All the worlds are established in their abode, resting within the ocean, within the heart and breath of life. In the waters, in the assembly, among those sustained, let us approach that wave, rich with sweetness, O dark one. Agni, the sacred fire, has awakened among the people, kindled like a cow stretching to her calf, like young birds rising. His rays stream towards the sky. The priest has awakened for the gods’ worship; upright, Agni stands at dawn with gracious mind. His flame’s brilliance is seen, the great god dispelling darkness. When the company is belted, pure Agni is adorned with pure cows. The right-hand offering is yoked to the victorious; upright, he stands with the ladles. Let the minds of worshippers turn to Agni, as eyes to the sun. When breathed upon by the dawns, the white steed is born at day’s beginning. For he is born at the start of days, set in his place, bright in the woods. Bearing seven treasures, Agni the priest sits, most worthy of worship. He settles in the fragrant mother’s lap, young and wise, established in many places, upholding the peoples. Now, with reverence, they praise Agni, the inspired priest at the sacrifices. He who stretches the two worlds with truth, they cleanse with ghee. The house-born is cleansed in his abode, praised by poets, the guest, auspicious for us. With a thousand horns, the bull, that strength—O Agni, with your might, you surpass all others. Indeed, O Agni, you outshine all; you are most beautiful for us, worthy of praise, wondrous, shining, beloved guest of all peoples.