As dawn breaks, the radiant sun rises high in the heavens, its brilliance lighting up the world. Harnessed to its ascent are the green-backed steeds, guided by the wisdom of those who bring the sun forth as one would ferry a boat across water. The listening waters, attentive and near, gather around this spectacle. For the gods, a thoughtful offering is placed in the luminous waters, the very thought by which the Navagvas completed their ten-month journey. It is this sacred thought that the seekers pray will protect them from adversity, granting the favor of the gods and safe passage through distress. Like a wise horse, unyoked and ready, the devotee prepares the harness for the helpful one, neither binding nor loosening, but trusting the leader who knows the path to guide straight ahead. With reverence, the devotee calls upon Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, and the host of gods—Maruts, Viṣṇu, the Aśvins, Rudra, Pūṣan, Bhaga, Sarasvatī—hoping to please them. The invocation continues, summoning Indra and Agni, Mitra and Varuṇa, Aditi, the Sun, Earth, Sky, Maruts, Mountains, Waters, and seeking the help and blessing of Viṣṇu, Pūṣan, Bṛhaspati, Bhaga, and Savitar. May Viṣṇu and Vāta grant wealth, Soma bring happiness, and the Ṛbhus, Aśvins, Tvaṣṭṛ, and Vibhvan favor the seekers with riches. The host of Maruts is invited to come, and the worshipful one dwelling in heaven is called to sit upon the sacred grass. Bṛhaspati, Pūṣan, Yama, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman are entreated for protection. The mountains, generous and well-disposed, and the rivers, guardians of all beings, are invoked to shield the devotees. Bhaga, the distributor, is called for strength and help, and wide-ranging Aditi is asked to heed the prayer. The radiant wives of the gods are sought for their favor, for success and victory in gaining strength. Those who dwell on earth and those who preside over the waters—gracious goddesses—are entreated for protection. Indrāṇī, Agnāyī, Aśvinī, Rāk, Varuṇānī of the two worlds, and the mothers of order are called to come and listen. As the ritual unfolds, the great mother sets forth, ascending the sky and awakening her daughter. The youthful one, full of thought, brings forth and calls to the fathers in their abode. Swiftly moving, the divine ones reach the navel of immortality, traversing endless paths together, heaven and earth united. The bull, the ocean, the splendid-winged, enters the womb of the former father, and in the midst of heaven, the spotted stone stretches out to the ends of the realms. Four bear it for safety, ten nurture the embryo for movement, and threefold are the highest cows, wandering around the ends of heaven. People move about within this form and dwelling, as the rivers and waters stand still. Two bear the mother, while others are born, twin-born with their kin. The waters spread their thoughts for the divine, weaving garments for their son as mothers do. Joyfully, the mighty ones approach the meeting place, and the brides follow the heavenly path. The prayer continues: may Mitra and Varuṇa, Agni, grant auspiciousness; may the seekers attain depth and a firm foundation, offering homage to the great heaven and its seat. Thoughts are directed to the beloved abode, the mighty power, the self-glorious, the great. When the wondrous one stretches out the waters from the sky, choosing them, the heroic extend the path throughout all realms. The waters flow together, others withdraw, and the divine people cross over with those who came before. With stones, days, and nights, the wondrous one wields the strongest bolt. Whether a hundred move in his house, they roll together, turning day and night. His course, like the edge of an axe, is turned against the foe, his might manifest. If, with a companion, he places treasure in the dwelling, it is for the one who brings offering. With a four-faced tongue, he moves swiftly, adorned in beauty, while Varuṇa restrains the foe. His manliness is unknown, from whom Bhaga and Savitṛ bestow the prize. Today, Savitṛ and Bhaga are sought, distributors of treasures and wealth. The Aśvins are called, day by day, as friends. Knowing the path of the mighty one, Savitṛ is praised with hymns, approached with reverence and understanding, as chief who divides treasures and wealth. With their bounty, Pūṣan, Bhaga, Aditi, Vasta, and Uṣas grant desirable gifts. Indra, Viṣṇu, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Agni bring forth auspicious days. May Savitṛ, free from harm, grant protection, and may the rivers flow their course. As the priest speaks, may wealth and prize-winning treasures be gained. Those who praise the Vasus and distant Mitra and Varuṇa with hymns are asked for a better path, and with the favor of Heaven and Earth, may joy be found. Let every mortal seek the friendship of the divine Guide, striving for wealth, choosing glory, and desiring prosperity. Those whom the divine Guide directs are wished for sharing in their wealth and unity. May favor be granted among men, guests, and wives, and may enmity and hostile paths be driven away. Where fire is kindled, cattle rush about in their troughs; among men, the heroic household prospers, like a wise one who brings gain. The divine Guide, lord of the chariot, bringer of blessings and wealth, is honored for prosperity and well-being. Agni is called to come with all the gods for the drinking of the pressed Soma. The one with true insight is invited to uphold the law and drink with Agni at the sacrifice. The inspired are summoned with the inspired, those who drive forth at dawn, to join the gods in drinking Soma. The Soma, pressed in the bowl, is poured out without measure, dear to Indra and Vāyu. Vāyu is invited to drink, gladly accepting the offering and seeking the prize. Indra and Vāyu are worthy of the pressed Somas, and may they, free from stain, gladly come for the prize. Somas, pressed for Indra and Vāyu with curd, flow like rivers to the lowland, seeking the prize. Together with all the gods, with the Aśvins and Uṣas, Agni is called to the offering pressed by the sons of Atri, for the contest. Thus, through prayer, invocation, and offering, the seekers call upon the gods, goddesses, and divine powers for protection, prosperity, guidance, and blessing, weaving together the sacred threads of devotion in the dawn-lit world.