The sages gathered at dawn, their hearts full of devotion, and called upon the mighty Varuṇa and Mitra, inviting them to partake of the freshly pressed Soma. “Come, O Varuṇa and Mitra, you who are ever worshipped,” they intoned, “come to this sacred drink we have prepared in your honor.” As their songs rose up, echoing the ancient hymns once offered by the sage Atri, the worshippers laid out the sacred grass and entreated Mitra and Varuṇa to be seated among them, to share in the Soma and the sacrifice. “By your steadfast vows,” they praised, “you reside in secure abodes, upholding the cosmic order and guiding humankind. Accept our offering, sit with us, and let this sacrifice be pleasing to you.” Their voices then turned to the swift Aśvins, the divine twin horsemen. “Wherever you are today—whether far or near, in many places, or in the middle realm—O Aśvins, come to us! You, who are ever active and bear many aids, who protect in manifold ways, wondrous-yoked and swift, we call upon you for your favor.” The sages recalled the marvels the Aśvins had performed: “You have fashioned wondrous forms for the wondrous, yoked your chariot’s wheel, and with your great might, you speed through all realms, encircling the yokes of the two Nāhuṣas. All that you do, O Aśvins, is worthy of praise. Though of diverse birth and appearance, you have become our kin.” They remembered how, when Sūryā, the radiant daughter of the Sun, mounted the chariot of the Aśvins, the red birds flew around them and the rays of the sun shone forth. The night, too, is attentive to the Aśvins, who bring nourishing warmth, and their trumpet is heard far and wide, their team renowned among those who race. By their protection, the sage Atrī was restored. The Aśvins pour out sweet, honey-bearing draughts, nourishing and strong, and when they cross the sea, the foods prepared for them bring them strength. “Truly, O Aśvins,” the people sing, “you are bringers of joy. Your journeys, so eagerly invoked, are gracious and kind.” The sages, as chariot-makers, composed hymns for the Aśvins, praying that their songs, ever increasing, might be auspicious and pleasing. “Where are you today, O divine Aśvins?” they wondered. “From the sky, from the heavens, may you hear Atrī’s call. Among which people do you strive, with whom of the rivers do you associate? Whom do you help, whom do you visit, whose hymns delight you? May we be among those whom you favor.” They recalled the miracles of the Aśvins: “Even one cast out from the city, you restore to his home. You seize the thief like a lion in his lair. From Cyavāna, aged and infirm, you drove away weakness, releasing him as from a bond, making him youthful again and fulfilling the desire of his wife.” The sages declared, “We are your singers, seeking your vision and glory. Come to us with help, O famed ones, bestowers of strength. Who among mortals is most generous, most inspired, most victorious in sacrifice? May your foremost chariot come to us, for many stand with uplifted hands, longing for your presence.” They prayed, “May our praise, sweet as honey, be pleasing to you. With clear insight and generous gifts, come near, swift as a falcon. Whenever you hear our invocation, may your hands be filled with bounty.” With reverence, the singer adorned the Aśvins’ beloved, strong, wealth-bearing chariot with praise, calling them to hear his sweet invocation. “Come swiftly, O Aśvins, crossing all obstacles, delighting in your golden-wheeled chariot drawn by rivers. Bearing treasures, bestowers of wealth, may you accept our invitation.” The treasures of the Aśvins are set in their chariot and in the speech of the wise, and the spotted deer creates marvels for them. With awakened minds, eager for the chariot and attentive to the call, the Aśvins brought the fallen Chyavana to safety. Mind-yoked horses, moist with dew, come to them, and birds bring them for the drink, together with good thoughts. “Come, O Aśvins, do not delay,” the sages implored, “even across the hostile, come unhindered. In this sacrifice, the shining singer calls for your help, for you favor those who praise you. Dawn has come, Agni has been kindled as the priest, and your strong chariot has been yoked by the immortal.” With the dawn, Agni shines forth, and the inspired words of the priests arise. “Now, O Aśvins, come with your chariot, bringing the warm drink. No prepared path restrains you; turn back to the worshipper, gracious ones, and come for the drink by day and by night, at every gathering, at morning, midday, and sunrise.” “For this is your established place in the highest heaven, your home among the houses of the gods. Come to us from heaven, from the mountain, from the waters, bringing nourishment and strength. With your new favor, may we go safely, gaining wealth, heroes, and undying blessings.” The sages offered their first worship in the morning to the Aśvins, those who travel at dawn, that they might drink before the greedy and the angry. “In the morning, the sacrifice is set for you, O Aśvins, as the poets of old proclaimed. Perform the morning sacrifice, pour the offering, for in the evening there is no favor for the godless. Each worshipper before us was more worthy—may we, too, be worthy of your presence.” Thus, with devotion and longing, the sages called upon Varuṇa, Mitra, and the wondrous Aśvins, inviting them to the sacrifice, to the Soma, to the dawn, that their blessings might fill the world.