In the sacred times of the Rig Veda, the seekers raised their voices in praise, yearning for blessings and abundance. They called upon the generous ones, longing for the wealth of Sanatśāśva, for cattle, for a hundredfold prosperity, remembering those who had been praised by Śyāvāśva. The arms of the divine, ever open, promised gifts to those who honored them. Among these invocations, the hymn turned to the woman, whose virtue and desirability surpassed even that of men, so long as her heart remained unswayed by the godless and the irreverent. She, wise and discerning, saw through the cunning and the thirsting, those who desired without devotion. Her mind, steadfast, was drawn towards the divine, away from the deceitful. Yet, there were those who, despite lacking praise, boasted, "I am a man." Such a one was a Pani, ever the adversary, unchanged in his opposition. The youthful, eager woman had not approached the speaker; her path had shifted towards Śyāvā, and the red ones—those radiant beings—had chosen the sage renowned through ages, the one much invoked. There, a generous soul who had bestowed a hundred cows, as if giving ten times over, stood out in greatness, crossing over obstacles with ease. Those who carried the woman swiftly, drinking the exhilarating mead, had attained fame in this world. For them, the heavens and earth shone with splendor, their chariots gleaming like gold in the sky. The host of the Maruts, young and mighty, rode their unassailable, shining chariots, unopposed in their strength. Who truly knows where these impelled ones—born of truth and unstained—find their joy? The wise ones, hearing the calls at sacrifice, guided mortals with insight, leading them rightly. To these destroyers of foes, worthy of sacrifice, the hymn pleaded: "Grant us desirable riches, shining before us." The praise was carried, like a charioteer, to Dārbhya, son of Urmya, by the goddess herself. The seeker called upon Aditi, asking her to speak at the pressing of Soma and at the chariot race, for his desire remained ever present. In the rich meadows, sheltered by the mountains, dwelled the charioteer—the generous one—among abundance. By truth, the truth was concealed in a firm place, where the horses of the sun were released. There, ten hundreds stood together, and the greatest in splendor among the gods was seen. This greatness belonged to Mitra and Varuṇa. By day, the standing ones drew forth their power. They made the cows of their stream swell, and their chariot axle revolved ceaselessly. As kings, Mitra and Varuṇa supported earth and sky, nourishing plants and cattle, sending rain, bestowing long life. Their swift-footed horses, well-yoked, drew their chariot close. Channels of ghee were prepared, rivers flowed from the sky to greet them. Following renowned, unfailing wisdom, protected by sacred utterance, holding firm skill, Mitra and Varuṇa dwelt in the depths, together with Ilā. Without cruelty, with righteous hands, they protected those who honored them, upholding the thousand-pillared order as unassailable kings. The golden channel and pillar shone forth, like a chariot drawn by celestial horses. In the good, flourishing field, the honey of their favor was sought. At dawn, the golden form and pillar of the sun were raised. Mitra and Varuṇa ascended from the depths, beholding both Aditi and Diti. With unfailing, generous protection, guardians of the world, they shielded the seekers, so that striving, they might live and prosper. As guardians of truth, Mitra and Varuṇa stood upon their chariot, upholding righteous order in the highest heaven. For those favored, sweet rain poured from the sky. Sovereign kings of all beings, shining in the assembly with insight, they were sought for rain, bounty, and immortality; their thunders moved through heaven and earth. Mighty, bull-like lords of heaven and earth, wise among men, they made wondrous clouds resound and rained upon the sky by the power of the Asura. Their power was established in heaven; the sun moved with shining weapon. They covered him with cloud and rain, and honeyed drops of Parjanya streamed forth. The Maruts yoked their splendid chariot, bright thunders moved through the spaces, and the sovereigns rained from the sky, milking its riches. Parjanya spoke with radiant voice, the Maruts dwelled in the clouds by Mitra and Varuṇa’s power, raining upon the spotless, ruddy sky. With discernment, Mitra and Varuṇa upheld the laws, protecting order by the Asura’s power. By truth, they ruled all worlds, placing the sun—the wondrous chariot—in the sky. With hymns, the seekers called upon Varuṇa the chastiser and Mitra, moving within the embrace of strong arms, seeking the light. Those arms, guided by wisdom, were praised, for their favor was sought among all peoples. The path of Mitra was desired, his shelter a place for harmonious abiding. With Mitra and Varuṇa, the hymn was placed fittingly, for in their house, the generous and the singers were renowned. May Mitra, with gracious aids, and Varuṇa, come to the assembly; in their house, for the generous and for friends, they brought increase. Varuṇa and Mitra, bearers of mighty sovereignty, made wide space for the gaining of strength, wealth, and well-being. At bright dawn, worshipful ones of divine power, with the white cow, rushed to the seeker, bearing the pressed Soma, faces shining with praise. He who perceives, he is truly wise; let him speak in the assembly of the gods—he whose words Varuṇa or Mitra, the clear-seeing, accept. For they, the kings of splendid radiance and far-reaching fame, true lords and upholders of order, remain righteous in every generation. Thus, the hymns flowed, weaving the story of generosity, wisdom, and divine guardianship, calling upon the luminous powers to bless, protect, and guide all who seek the truth.