The Vasiṣṭhas, with hearts full of devotion, lifted their voices in praise to Heaven and Earth, calling upon Varuṇa, Mitra, and Agni—the steadfast upholders of truth. With reverence, they entreated these great deities to grant them a radiant and supreme hymn, and to ever watch over them with well-being. As the sacred rite commenced, the people invoked the power of hearing and understanding, seeking unity of mind in their worship. They set forth to honor the mighty ones, wishing to partake in the treasures that the god Savitar would bestow that day. They prayed for a share of heaven from Mitra, Varuṇa, and the two worlds, and asked Indra and Aryaman to grant their blessings. They sought the favor of the nurturing goddess Aditi, and hoped for the gifts prepared by Vāyu and Bhaga. The Maruts, mighty and swift, were invoked for their strength and protection, for those mortals shielded by them are aided by Agni and Sarasvatī as well, and none surpass them in wealth. The people recognized Varuṇa as the leader of truth, supported by Mitra, Aryaman, and the noble kings. They looked to Aditi, easy to invoke and unerring, to guide them safely past all distress. With devotion, they sought to partake in the generous offerings of Viṣṇu, the mighty, at the sacred distribution. They prayed for Rudra to reveal his Rudra-like greatness, and for the two Aśvins to lead them along a path of prosperity. They called upon Pūṣan, the radiant one, upon the motherly goddess and the givers of gifts, to grant their blessings. They asked for the kindly horses to guard them, and for the encircling wind to bring nourishing rain. Again, the Vasiṣṭhas praised Heaven and Earth and called upon Varuṇa, Mitra, and Agni, requesting a shining hymn and their constant protection. At dawn, the people invoked Agni and Indra, Mitra and Varuṇa, and the swift Ashvins. They called upon Bhaga, Pūṣan, Brahmanaspati, Soma, and Rudra, seeking their favor at the break of day. They especially sought Bhaga, mighty and victorious son of Aditi, the generous distributor. Even those who felt deprived, the swift and the king alike, yearned for Bhaga’s share and blessings. To Bhaga they prayed: “Guide us, bestower of true gifts, raise our thoughts and grant us cattle, horses, and the strength to be men among men.” They wished to be endowed with Bhaga’s favor throughout the day, and hoped that, when the sun rose, they would be in the gods’ good graces. They called for Bhaga alone to be their benefactor, asking all the gods to make them rich in his blessings, and for Bhaga to be their leader. The dawns, bringers of sacrifice, were likened to Dadhikravan, swift upon his shining path, bringing Bhaga near as swift horses draw a chariot. They prayed that the dawns, rich in horses, cattle, and heroes, would always rise auspiciously, showering them with ghee and well-being. The Angirases, the ancient singers, set forth their chants so that their voices might reach the sky. They wished for cows with full udders to stream forth, and for the pressing stones to be yoked for the beauty of the sacrifice. Agni, of good guidance, was invoked to lead them on the right path, to yoke the tawny and red steeds at the pressing, and to call forth the births of the gods, seated and radiant. With united voices, the people magnified the sacrifice, asking the gracious Hotar to shine forth and to worship the worthy gods, seeking the favor of the immortal mind. When the wealthy hero, the honored guest, was welcomed into the home with kindness, Agni, well-pleased and kindled, bestowed desirable wealth upon the family. They offered their sacrifice to Agni, asking him, along with the Maruts and Indra, to make them renowned. They invited Night and Dawn to sit upon the sacred grass and called Mitra and Varuṇa to join them. Vasiṣṭha himself, desiring wealth, praised mighty Agni, who had spread forth food, riches, and strength for the people, and asked for protection and well-being. With devotion, the people sang to Heaven and Earth at their sacrifices, seeking sustenance from the wise ones whose prayers spread everywhere, like the branches of trees. They urged the sacrifice to proceed smoothly, like a well-yoked chariot, and prepared the sacred grass, wishing for the divine flames to stand upright. As sons approach their mother with gifts, they invited the gods to sit upon the sacred grass, asking all-knowing Agni to guide their rites and to keep enmity far from them. They prayed for the streams of truth to flow freely, bringing them to the greatest treasures, and for unity of mind in their striving. They asked Agni to be gracious to their people, to keep them undefeated, and to let wealth accompany them in harmonious assembly, ever protecting them with well-being. In their prayers, they called upon Dadhikrā, the Ashvins, Ushas, the kindled Agni, and Bhaga for favor. They invoked Indra, Viṣṇu, Pūṣan, Brahmanaspati, the Ādityas, Heaven and Earth, the Waters, and the realm of light. With reverence, they awakened Dadhikrā, advanced toward the sacrifice, and seated the goddess Ilā upon the sacred grass, inviting the wise and ready Ashvins. They recognized Dadhikrā and called upon Agni, Ushas, Sūrya, and the cow, as well as the white one, the brown one, and the four of Varuṇa, to drive away all misfortunes. Dadhikrā, the foremost and prize-winning steed, was celebrated as first among chariots, united with Ushas, Sūrya, the Ādityas, the Vasus, and the Angiras. They asked Dadhikrā to lead them on the right path, to follow the way of truth, and prayed that Agni and all the mighty immortals would hear them. They called upon Savitar, the god rich in gifts, to come to them, traversing the midspace, drawn by horses and bearing noble things, to establish and bestow abundance. His strong, broad, golden arms stretched from heaven, and the people wished for his greatness to be manifest, so that even the sun would follow his guidance for their sake. They prayed that Savitar, powerful and generous, would grant them wealth and food, distributing wide-reaching strength. Their hymns praised Savitar’s radiant, full-handed nature, asking for splendid vigor and greatness, and for his blessings to always protect them. Then they turned to Rudra, the god with firm bow and swift arrow, self-sustaining and mighty, enduring and creative, sharp-armed and divine. They called upon him to listen, for he rules over earth and heaven. They asked him to approach, protecting them from harm, and to be gracious among them. They prayed that Rudra’s lightning, released from heaven, would move over the earth as a shield, and that his thousand healing remedies would soothe them, sparing their offspring and descendants. They pleaded that Rudra not strike them or drive them away, nor let them fall into the path of his wrath, but to grant them favor in their sacrifices and protect them always with blessings. Finally, they turned to the Waters, first to serve the gods, who create the stream for Indra’s drink. They sought these pure, delightful, ghee-sprinkled, honey-sweet waters, calling upon them for sustenance and blessing. Thus, in reverence, unity, and hope, the people offered their hymns and prayers to the gods, seeking protection, abundance, and the favor of the divine at every dawn and in every sacred rite.