In the ancient days, the great gods—Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, and the shining Ādityas—established the unshaken and worshipful law, a mighty order that governs all creation. These deities hold the highest sovereignty, their authority supreme among gods and mortals alike. When Varuṇa and Mitra, sustainers of peoples, settle upon their golden seat, they dispense favor and blessings to all. All-knowing and ever-watchful, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman observe everything; like steadfast rulers, they protect mortals from harm, guiding them with wisdom. True to their nature, these gods uphold the sacred order in every generation. Righteous and benevolent, they are good guides and generous givers, creating wide spaces of relief even in times of distress. Who among men has truly praised Mitra or Varuṇa? Such thoughts turn toward the gods and toward the sage Atrī, whose devotion is renowned. Let us sing with exalted voices to Mitra and Varuṇa, for their sovereignty is great, their might and stature high. These kings, whose foundation is pure ghee, are famed among the gods, praised by the divine hosts. May they grant us the vast wealth of the earth and the riches of heaven, for their power is immense among the gods. With truth, they join truth; seeking strong insight, Mitra and Varuṇa, free from all deceit, grow ever stronger. Heaven and earth, givers of rain, and the lords of the waters, all seek the vast hollow of Dānumatī, the sacred reservoir. Varuṇa upholds three realms, three heavens; Mitra sustains three spaces. These two, ever-growing, guard the law of the ruler, protecting the unbroken order. The cows rich in refreshment belong to Varuṇa, while the honeyed rivers yield their bounty for Mitra. Three mighty bulls, bearers of seed, shine among the three seats, symbols of strength and fertility. At dawn, the goddess Aditi is invoked; at midday, when the sun rises high, prayers are offered to Mitra and Varuṇa for wealth, prosperity, and the well-being of offspring and descendants. The divine Ādityas support the shining realms of heaven and earth; their firm laws are unchallenged even by the immortal gods. Abundant help flows from these deities. Now, Varuṇa and Mitra, the people seek your favor, aspiring to become your Rudras—true and steadfast, seeking your protection. Guard us, O Rudras, with your mighty shields; deliver us with your saving help, so we may overcome our enemies with our own strength. Let us not partake, in body or spirit, of any wonder-working force that is not yours—neither by excess nor by wasting away. Come to us, Varuṇa and Mitra, delighting in praise; approach this lovely sacrifice. As wise rulers of all, grant us fullness of understanding, O lords. Come to our pressed Soma, you who are worshipped, to drink of its sacred essence. To Mitra and Varuṇa, the songs are offered, as Atrī once did; sit upon the sacred grass and drink the Soma. By your vow, you stand firm in secure abodes, upholding order and guiding men—come, sit upon the sacred grass and partake of the Soma, accepting our sacrifice for the sake of the offering. Now, wherever you are today, O Aśvins—whether far or near, in many places or in the midspace—come here. O ever-active ones, bearers of many aids and manifold protections, wondrous-yoked and swift, we call you for favor. You have created many wondrous forms for the wondrous, yoked the wheel of your chariot, speeding through the realms with great might, encircling the two Nāhuṣa's yokes. Whatever is done by your favor is worthy of praise; diverse in birth and appearance, you have become our kin. When Sūryā mounts your chariot, swift and easy to harness, the red birds circle around you and the rays of the sun shine forth. Your night is attentive, O men, with kindly mind; your nourishing warmth, O Nāsatyas, is enjoyed by all. Your strong trumpet is heard, your team renowned in the races; with your protections, O Aśvins, Atrī has returned. Sweet is the honey-bearing draught you pour, O Rudras; as you cross the sea, cooked foods bring you strength. Truly, O Aśvins, you are called bringers of joy; your journeys, eagerly invoked, are most gracious. May these hymns, increasing in number, be most auspicious for the Aśvins; those we have composed as chariot-makers, spoken with great reverence, are offered to you. Where are you, O divine Aśvins, today from the sky, O mindful ones? May you hear this, O mighty givers, as Atrī calls upon you. Where indeed are the famed ones in heaven, O Nāsatyas? Among which people do you strive, with whom among the rivers do you associate? Whom do you help, whom do you visit, to whom do you yoke your chariot? Whose hymns do you delight in? May we be those whom you favor. Even the city-dweller, though cast out, you restore to his city; you seize the thief like a lion in his lair. From Cyavāna, the aged sage, you drove away infirmity, releasing him as from a bond; you made him youthful again, fulfilling the desire of his wife. Indeed, you have here a singer; we are yours for vision and glory. Now, O famed ones, come to us with help, O bestowers of strength.