In the ancient days, the sage Bharadvāja lifted his voice in praise to the mighty Maruts, the ever-glorious storm gods whose fame and undying glory are won by noble deeds. He sought their blessing, asking them to bestow their radiant renown upon him and his people—not just once, but twice over—with gifts that nourish all, like the cow that yields sustenance and food for everyone. Turning his hymn to Indra, Bharadvāja praised him as wise in counsel, akin to Varuṇa in skill, Aryaman in graciousness and generosity, and Viṣṇu as a steadfast leader. He invoked the fierce and roaring troop of the Maruts, together with Pūṣan the unconquered, to gather in great numbers for the benefit of the people, so that hidden treasures might appear among those who do good, and wealth be granted. Calling upon Pūṣan, the radiant guardian, Bharadvāja begged him to come swiftly, to listen to his praise, and to shield his people from harm by hostile men. He pleaded that Pūṣan not bring misfortune, for he is not a destroyer; neither the sun nor the birds bear such burdens as ill fate. He wished for unwavering friendship from Pūṣan, as steady as vision and as whole as a full vessel, never broken. Bharadvāja acknowledged Pūṣan’s divine nature—beyond mortals, equal to the gods in splendor—and asked him to shine forth in battle, to protect as he had done before. He prayed that Pūṣan’s gentle impulses would guide them on the right path, and that blessings from the Maruts, the gods, and those who strive would be with them. He marveled that even a moment’s praise for the gods reaches the sky, just as the sun ascends. The Maruts, fierce and strong, have earned a name worthy of worship, their greatest power shown in slaying Vṛtra. He recalled that heaven, earth, and the nourishing milk of Pṛśni were all born at once, with none coming after. Bharadvāja continued, praising the noble Mitra and Varuṇa, bringers of favor and good vows, with fresh hymns. He called upon Varuṇa, Mitra, and Agni, the upholders of excellent rule, wishing them to come and listen. Agni, the youthful, tireless child of heaven, the son of strength, the shining sign of sacrifice, was honored, and worship was offered to him. He spoke of the two daughters of the ruddy one—different in form, one adorned among women, the other, the sun, wandering apart. Both move together, shining, and Bharadvāja wished his hymn would reach them. He directed lofty thoughts to Vāyu, the chariot-bearing god, desiring abundant wealth and wisdom. Vāyu, with shining steeds, approached the wise and was worthy of worship. He invoked the wondrous, gold-adorned chariot of the Aśvins, yoked by their minds, which they use to travel the path for offspring and self. Bharadvāja prayed that this chariot would shelter him. He called upon Parjanya and Vāta, the bulls of the earth, to fill the waters and nourish the world, their hymns making both the moving and fixed things firm. He sought intelligence from Pāvīravī, the maiden of shining life, and Sarasvatī, wife of heroes, asking them and the goddesses to grant unbroken shelter and invincible protection to the singer. On every path, Pūṣan, as guardian, approached with radiance, and Bharadvāja prayed for abundant, shining gifts to fulfill his thoughts. Agni, the first to receive honor, possessor of glory, giver of strength, was praised as the priest, radiant and well-invoked, shining in the dwellings. Rudra, father of the world, lofty, ageless, and gracious, was magnified in the sky and in sacrifice, with prayers inspired by the sage. The Maruts, youthful and worshipful, were called to the singer’s praise, for they increase even the humble, following the path of the Angirases. Bharadvāja wished for a guardian like a herdsman, coming forth for the hero, mighty and swift, touching the summit of praise as rivers reach the height of speech. He remembered Viṣṇu, who measured the earthly realms three times for Manu, and prayed for joy in his shelter, with body and offspring, when wealth was bestowed. Ahibudhnya, the serpent of the deep, the Sun, the Mountain, Savitṛ, and the plants, Bhaga, and Puraṃdhi were all invoked to grant and incite wealth. Bharadvāja wished for wealth with chariots, renowned among men, rich in heroes and truth, that would grant undying dwelling among people, enable them to overcome the godless, enter the divine hosts, and partake of divinity. With reverence, he invoked Aditi for mercy, along with Varuṇa, Mitra, Agni, Aryaman, Savitṛ, and Bhaga, the protecting gods. He asked the Sun to lead their forefathers and bring the great gods, those twice-born, upholders of truth, possessing heaven, worshipful with tongues of fire. He prayed that Heaven and Earth, the wide and sheltering pair, would grant protection and a secure, harm-free home, their mighty chariot making a path for his people. The sons of Rudra, the Vasus, invincible, were invoked to bow to them, whether young or great; in distress, the Maruts, the gods, were called upon. He remembered that on the gods the two worlds depend, and there Pūṣan, the eager sacrificer, exerts himself. When the Maruts hear the call and come, the vast spaces tremble as paths open. Indra, beloved of song, was offered new praise, and Bharadvāja prayed that, being praised, Indra would grant riches. He called upon the Waters, mothers of men, pure and life-giving, to grant wellbeing for offspring and children, for they are the best physicians, creators of all that stands and moves, the origin of the world. Savitṛ, the protector with golden hands, was invoked to come generously, reveal the dawn, and bestow treasures. Agni, son of strength, was asked to be favorable in sacrifice, to make Bharadvāja strong in battle, always his companion. The Nāsatyas, the wise Aśvins, were called to rescue from distress, as they once released Atri from darkness. He prayed that the givers of wealth, shining and vigorous, would bestow riches renowned among men, and that the divine and earthly, born of the cow, would favor and be gracious. Rudra and Sarasvatī, united, were invoked for mercy, along with Viṣṇu, Vāyu, and the bountiful ones. Ṛbhukṣa, Parjanya, and Vāta were asked to fill them with nourishment. Bharadvāja wished for protection from Savitṛ, Bhaga, Dānu, and Tvaṣṭṛ, with the divine generations, Heaven and Earth, and the oceans. Ahibudhnya, the serpent of the deep, the one-footed, Earth, and Ocean were invoked, along with all the gods, upholders of truth, to protect the people as the hymns were recited. Thus, through his prayers and praises, Bharadvāja sought the favor, protection, and blessings of all the gods, weaving a tapestry of gratitude and devotion, yearning for their guidance, shelter, and the gifts that sustain both body and spirit.