In the ancient dawn, the worshipper turns his heart and voice to the divine, invoking the presence and power of the gods upon whom the two worlds depend. There, Pūṣan, ever eager in sacrifice, exerts himself with devotion. When the Maruts hear the call and arrive, the vast spaces tremble, opening the path for their descent. To Indra, the heroic lord beloved of hymns, the singer offers fresh praise, hoping that Indra, hearing the invocation and being glorified, will grant riches to his devotees. The Waters, mothers of humanity and purest healers, are entreated for well-being, for offspring and children; as the creators and sustainers of all that stands and moves, they are the origin of the world. The worshipper calls upon Savitṛ, the golden-handed protector, generous and radiant, who reveals the face of dawn and bestows treasures to the faithful. Agni, son of strength, is implored to be favorable in the sacrifice, to make the worshipper his companion in battle, lending his strength. The wise Nāsatyas are summoned, their thoughts ever alert, to rescue the worshipper from distress, just as they once freed Atri from great darkness. The shining givers of wealth, full of vigor, are asked to bestow riches renowned among men; the divine and earthly, born of the cow, are entreated to favor and be gracious. Rudra and Sarasvatī, united, are invoked for grace; Viṣṇu, Vāyu, and the bountiful ones for mercy; Ṛbhukṣa, the divine strength and arranger, Parjanya and Vāta for nourishment. Savitṛ, Bhaga, and Dānu, son of the waters, are called to protect; Tvaṣṭṛ, with the divine generations, and Heaven with the gods, Earth with the oceans, are asked to preserve. Ahibudhnya, serpent of the deep, the one-footed, Earth and Ocean, and all the gods upholding truth are invoked to protect, their wisdom and praised hymns honored. The descendants of Bharadvāja honor the divine with thoughts and hymns, recognizing the Hotars, the Vasus, and the invincible ones as worthy of worship. Now, the great unfailing eye of Mitra and Varuṇa rises, beloved and pure, shining beautifully like a golden ornament blazing forth from the sky. The wise one who knows the three assemblies of the gods, born again and again, sees straight and crooked among mortals; the sun, like Aryaman, surveys all. The worshipper praises the great guardians of truth: Aditi, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aryaman, and Bhaga, whose unwavering thoughts bring prosperity. The Ādityas, destroyers of falsehood, true lords, youthful and strong rulers of the sky, are approached with reverence. Heaven is called father, Earth mother, steadfast, and Agni brother; the Vasus are asked to be gracious. All Ādityas, together with Aditi, are implored to grant wide protection. The wolf and she-wolf are asked not to harm, nor the worshipful ones to bring misfortune, for the gods are charioteers and guardians, upholders of wise speech. Let not the worshipper suffer for another’s offense, nor for any deed the Vasus may have done; for the gods rule over all, and may the enemy not harm the devotee. Homage is proclaimed to the mighty, to him who upholds earth and sky, to the gods and their lord; forgiveness is sought even for offenses. To the charioteers of truth, pure in wisdom and unwavering, dwelling in the home of truth, the worshipper bows in reverence; to all the far-seeing, great, worshipful men, homage is given. For these gods, of highest splendor, lead across difficulties; Varuṇa, Mitra, Agni, true in thought and steadfast in truth, are kings by right. Indra, Earth, Pūṣan, Bhaga, Aditi, and the five peoples are called to be strong defenders and good guardians, possessing good protection and guidance. Bharadvāja, as priest, seeks the divine abode, attaining the favor of the gods; the worshipper prospers, offering praise and desiring divine wealth. Agni is implored to drive away the sinner, foe, and thief, the bringer of distress, making the path easy for the good. Soma, whose pressing stones long for friendship, is asked to strike down the greedy Paṇi, likened to a wolf. For the gods are generous, powerful, victorious like Indra; they are guardians of the home, making paths easy. May the worshippers find a path to well-being, free from harm, casting away enemies and finding wealth. Yet, the worshipper reflects that neither by day nor by earth, nor by sacrifice or sacred grass, can one reach the ultimate; let the mighty mountains help, and the worshiper of excessive sacrifice be humbled. Whoever, O Maruts, thinks himself beyond, or seeks to obstruct prayer, let hardships and misfortune befall him; let the sky itself burn against the hater of prayer. Soma, protector of prayer, is called upon to aim his scorching weapon at those who revile and hate prayer. The worshipper seeks protection from those who are being born, from swelling rivers, steadfast mountains, and the ancestral fathers honored by the gods. May minds be always good, may the sun be seen rising, and may the lord of treasures, best helper, come with the gods’ favor. Indra is called for nearest help; Sarasvati, swelling with rivers; Parjanya, bringing joy with plants; Agni, well-praised and fatherly. All gods are invited to listen to the invocation, to be seated on the sacred grass. Whoever among the gods is honored with a rich offering, all are asked to approach together. The divine sons, immortal, are implored to hear the songs and be gracious. All gods, grown strong through truth, hearing invocations at the right times, are asked to enjoy the fitting offering. Indra, the host of Maruts, Tvashtar, Mitra, and Aryaman are called to accept these offerings. Agni, as Hotar, is asked to skillfully perform the sacrifice, understanding the divine race. All gods, whether in the midspace or nearest in heaven, those with tongues of fire or worthy of sacrifice, are invited to be seated on the sacred grass and rejoice. Thus, the story unfolds as a tapestry of reverence, invocation, and praise, weaving together the worshipper’s heartfelt calls to the many gods, seeking protection, prosperity, and the path of truth.