The sages gathered at dawn, their hearts filled with yearning, and raised their voices to Bhaga, the generous bestower. “O Bhaga,” they prayed, “guide us on the right path. Lift our thoughts, grant us your gifts, and bless us with cattle and horses. Let us stand as true men among men, distinguished by your favor.” With reverence, they invoked Bhaga’s presence at every moment—at the day’s beginning and in its midst, as the sun ascends the sky. “May we be endowed with Bhaga,” they pleaded, “and dwell in the company of the gods. Let Bhaga alone be our giver; let all the gods unite to bestow his blessings. O Bhaga, to you all call—be our leader here and now.” As the dawns approached, radiant and bearing the sacrificial offering, they bowed low like swift Dadhikravan racing along his shining path. The sages prayed, “May these dawns bring Bhaga, the giver of wealth, near to us, as swift horses draw a chariot. May the dawns, rich in horses, cattle, and heroes, always rise auspiciously for us, pouring forth ghee and protecting us with well-being.” The Angirases, the ancient singers, began their chants, their voices resounding to the sky. The cows, heavy with milk, streamed forth, and the pressing stones were yoked for the beauty of the sacrifice. “O Agni, wise guide,” they called, “lead us on the path. Harness your tawny and red steeds at the pressing. We invoke the births of the gods, seated and radiant, to bear our offerings.” With united hearts, they magnified the sacrifice, inviting the gracious Hotar to shine at the approach of the gods. “O Agni, you of many forms, worship the worthy deities and win for us the immortal mind’s favor. When Agni, the wealthy hero and honored guest, is welcomed with kindness and well-kindled in the home, he bestows desirable wealth upon the family.” “Accept our sacrifice, O Agni. With the Maruts and Indra, make us renowned. May Night and Dawn be seated upon the sacred grass, and may Mitra and Varuna, invited, come to our rite.” Thus Vasistha, desiring wealth, praised Agni the mighty, who spreads forth food, strength, and prosperity, and prayed for continued protection and well-being. Then, with devotion, the sages sang to Heaven and Earth at the sacrifice, honoring them for sustenance. Their prayers, unmatched, spread like the branches of great trees. “Let the sacrifice proceed like a yoked chariot,” they declared, “with clarified butter, sacred grass, and upright flames.” As sons bearing gifts approach their mother, so did the gods take their places on the sacred grass. “Let all-knowing Agni guide our rites, and may enmity never draw near.” They called for the streams of truth to flow willingly, bringing the greatest treasures as they strove together, united in mind. “O Agni, be gracious to our people,” they prayed. “With you, O mighty one, may we never be defeated. With wealth in harmonious assembly, may you always protect us with well-being.” The sages then invoked a host of deities: Dadhikrā, the Ashvins, Ushas, Agni, Bhaga, Indra, Vishnu, Pūshan, Brahmanaspati, the Ādityas, Heaven and Earth, the Waters, and the realm of light. They awakened Dadhikrā with reverence, seated the goddess Ilā upon the sacred grass, and called upon the wise, swift Ashvins. Recognizing Dadhikrā, they addressed Agni, Ushas, Sūrya, and the sacred cow, as well as the white, the brown, and the four of Varuṇa, asking them to drive away all misfortunes. Dadhikrā, foremost and prize-winning, led the chariots, united with Ushas, Sūrya, the Ādityas, the Vasus, and the Angiras. “May Dadhikrā lead us on the right path, following the way of truth,” they prayed. “May Agni and all the mighty, immortal ones hear our call.” They turned to Savitar, the god rich in gifts, traversing the midspace drawn by horses, holding noble things in his hands, establishing and bestowing abundance. “May Savitar’s greatness be manifest, his strong, golden arms stretching from heaven. May even the sun follow his guidance for us. O Savitar, grant us wealth and strength, the food of mortals, splendid vigor, and greatness. May you always protect us with blessings.” Their hymns then honored Rudra, the divine archer with firm bow and swift arrow, mighty and creative, self-sustaining and enduring. “O Rudra, hear us and approach with grace. Rule gently over earth and heaven, and shield us with your remedies. Let your lightning, released from heaven, protect us. Do not harm our offspring or descendants. Do not strike us nor drive us away. Grant us your favor in the sacrifice for long life, and ever protect us with blessings.” Turning to the waters, the sages sang: “O waters, first to serve the gods, create the stream for Indra’s drink. We seek you, pure and delightful, sweet with honey and sprinkled with ghee. May we attain your swift, sweet flow, in which Indra delights with the Vasus. May we, worshipping, reach it today.” The divine waters, purified a hundred times, rejoiced in their nature, following their path and never violating Indra’s laws. Offerings rich in ghee were made to the rivers, those spread by Sūrya’s rays, opened by Indra’s might. “Grant us passage, O rivers, and always protect us with blessings.” The Ribhus, givers of wealth, were also praised. “Rejoice for us, O generous ones, in the Soma. May your noble intentions come to us, and may your skillful chariot turn our way. May we be with you, O Rbhu, with strength upon strength. May Vaja, bestower of strength, protect us in gaining power, and with Indra as our ally, may we overcome foes.” They remembered that the ancient commands and decrees of the Arya endure, and that Indra, the mighty, with the Ribhus and Vaja, has shattered the enemy’s pride and established manly power. “O gods, make a broad path for us. United, be our helpers. Grant us wealth, O Vasus, and ever protect us with well-being.” Finally, the sages honored the divine waters, born of the ocean and sent forth by Indra, the thunder-wielding bull. “Whether heavenly or earthly, flowing or arising by themselves, seeking the ocean, pure and radiant—may these divine waters here protect me. Among them, Varuṇa is king, discerning truth and falsehood among men. May these pure, sweet-flowing waters always protect us.” Thus, with devotion, gratitude, and hope, the sages called upon the deities, the dawns, the elements, and the powers of the cosmos, seeking blessings, guidance, and protection for themselves and all their people.