With hearts full of praise and reverence, the sages turned their thoughts to Heaven and Earth, the steadfast Father and Mother of all, beseeching them for strength. Sweet-spoken and skillful-handed, these divine parents were invoked to grant glory in every sacred offering. The priests, having prepared the sweet libations, brought forth the bright, radiant Soma to Vayu, the wind god. Like a vigilant first Hotar, Vayu was called to protect the worshippers from harm and to let them delight in the honeyed draught. Ten fingers, deft and strong, worked in harmony, pressing the Soma upon the stone. The skillful ones, their fingers shining, drew forth the pure, luminous juice from the mountain-dwelling plant. This Soma, freshly pressed, was offered to Indra, who delights in its strength and exhilaration. The worshippers invited Indra’s two bay steeds, well-yoked to his chariot, to draw near, hoping that the great god would become dear to them when invoked. To Agni, the fire god, they prayed: “Bring to us the great, generous, and wise goddess—gracious and worthy of offerings—together with the divine wives, for the joy of the sweet draught, along the paths of the gods.” The inspired ones anointed and magnified the Soma, adorned and kindled by Agni as a father loves his son. The hot drink, now consecrated, sat down, kindling the immortal Agni. A lofty, auspicious hymn was sent forth as a messenger to the Ashvins, inviting them with joy to come near and bring treasure, just as the navel supports the axle. The singer proclaimed the praise of swift, mighty Pusan and Vayu—givers of gifts and thoughts, bestowers of wealth, strength, and self-power. With their many names, the Maruts were summoned by the priest, Jatavedas, to the sacrifice. All forms of the Maruts were called to the singer’s good praise, that they might bring every help. From the great heaven and lofty mountain, Sarasvati, worthy of worship, was invoked to the sacrifice. Clothed in ghee, the goddess was invited to accept the offering and hear the strong, uplifting words of the worshippers. The wise, dark-backed, mighty Brihaspati was brought to his dwelling and seated in his proper place—radiant, golden-hued, and fiery—revered by all. Dharṇasi, resounding through the vast heavens, came with all the gods, invoked by hymns, clothed in light, nourishing plants, unfailing, the bull with three-peaked horns, the giver of life. At the mother’s threshold, in the highest shining realm, the radiant ones, rich in gifts, arrived. Worthy of worship, they were honored with reverence, as young ones are cleansed by their mothers at home. Great in strength, Agni was invoked by the wise, who united their thoughts for him. The godly were asked to be gracious, and Mother Earth was beseeched not to place the worshippers in misfortune. “May we dwell unhindered, O gods, in your vastness,” the sages prayed. With the new favor of the Ashvins, they sought joy and guidance, hoping for wealth, heroes, and all immortal blessings. They sang of that ancient, foremost, all-encompassing one—the eldest, seat-dwelling, light-knowing, approachable, provider, victorious—who is nurtured with song and grows among the worshippers. The beautiful ones of the upper realm shone for splendor, illuminating the heavens. The wise guardian, supreme in wonders, was praised as Truth itself. The offering sought the swift, true priest, the strong bearer, who moved without harm. Flowing along the altar, the youthful bull, ever young, was set free and established in the midst. Well-yoked ones went forth on their journey, righteous and humble, for the truthful one who grew in order. With good guides and strong helpers, the clever one proclaimed names at the place of praise. Resounding with trees, the well-born, the womb of offspring, the wise with beautiful voices, shone in flowing streams with straight songs. They grew, and their wives lived in the sacrifice. As one appeared, so he was spoken of; together with his shadow, they were placed with swift waters. The worshippers prayed for vast, wide, great strength, abundant heroic power, and unfailing might. He was the first-born, the originator, surpassing rivals, noble-minded, the sun, the sage. He guarded the home, circled all, and was asked to grant shelter and good wealth. The greater one, marked by the sacrifice, moved among the worshippers, bearing their names. As he was placed, so he was seen in darkness, carrying out good deeds. The foremost stood at the ocean’s edge, never failing in the offering where the paths converge. In the heart, the fire’s flame trembled, where pure and bound thought was found. By powers of dominion and mind, he spoke for the worshipper, the companion. With the songs of the calf, the worshippers sought to fill the strongest prize, the mighty wealth, even for the wise. The eagle, the mother, the joy, the power of the all-protecting, worshipful, wondrous one—each sought the other for attainment. They knew the horns and came to the flowing drink. The ever-generous worshipper destroyed enemies, praised by many, famed for knowledge. Blessings approached and shone forth when he shared the group with good guidance. He who supported the sacrificer, the true lord, unwavering among all, the awakener of thoughts—like a cow rich in milk—poured forth nourishing juice, reciting the hymn, advancing without sleep. He who kept vigil was desired by hymns and chants; to him, Soma said, “I am yours in friendship, dwelling with you.” Agni, ever wakeful, was the one whom hymns and chants sought. To him, too, Soma declared, “I am yours in friendship, dwelling with you.” The worshippers recognized the sky, shining with the rays of dawn, scattering darkness with beams. The god opened barriers from the high heaven and drove away human obstacles. The sun, wise like a mother of cows, spread light and dispelled darkness; rivers, shining, flowed with roaring sound, while firm heaven stood like a well-set pillar. For this hymn, the mountain’s embryo, for the ancient birth of the great ones, the mountain opened wide and heaven accomplished their purpose, making the earth resound. With hymns and words pleasing to the gods, Indra and Agni were called for help. The wise, skilled in sacrifice, invoked the Maruts with their songs. “Now let us become wise today; let us remove all evil and attain greatness. Let us drive away hatred, burn it away, and go forward toward the sacrificer.” Together, friends created the thought by which their mother found the cow’s stall, by which Manu conquered the many-colored one, and the merchant found hidden treasure. With ten months’ effort, the Navagvas pressed with their hands and praised the mountain. Saramā, seeking truth, found the cows, and the Angirases accomplished all true deeds. At her shining, in her great power, all the gods gathered as the Angirases moved with the cows. The fountain of these was in the highest seat; Saramā, by the path of truth, found the cows. Let the sun, yoked with seven horses, go forth, measuring the field with his long path. The swift hawk flies straight, the young sage shines as he goes among the cows. Thus, through praise, sacrifice, wisdom, and the blessings of the gods, the sages sought strength, guidance, and the fulfillment of all good things.