Vasiṣṭha, the sage, yearning for abundance, lifted his voice in praise of Agni, the mighty and all-encompassing fire. In his devotion, he acknowledged Agni’s power to spread forth food, wealth, and strength for his people, and humbly sought Agni’s constant protection and well-being. Turning to Heaven and Earth, Vasiṣṭha called upon all who are devoted to the gods to sing at the sacred sacrifices. With reverence, he invoked them for sustenance, recognizing their prayers as unmatched, spreading like the branches of great trees. He urged that the sacrifice proceed smoothly, like a well-yoked chariot, with minds united and clarified butter offered. The sacred grass was to be spread for the rite, and the divine flames were to be kept upright. As sons bearing gifts approach their mother, so Vasiṣṭha invited the gods to take their seats upon the sacred grass. He prayed that Agni, who knows all, would guide the rites, and asked that no enmity come near, but that the assembly remain harmonious. He invoked the ever-flowing streams of truth, wishing that they would yield their blessings freely. On that day, he called all to come together, united in mind, to strive for the greatest treasures. He entreated Agni to be gracious to his people, that with Agni’s might they would never be defeated. With wealth as a companion and unity in their assembly, Vasiṣṭha sought Agni’s protection and well-being. Calling upon the hosts of gods, Vasiṣṭha invoked Dadhikrā, the Ashvins, Ushas, the kindled Agni, Bhaga, Indra, Vishnu, Pūshan, Brahmanaspati, the Ādityas, Heaven and Earth, the Waters, and the realm of light for their favor. With reverence, he awakened Dadhikrā and advanced toward the sacrifice, seating the goddess Ilā upon the sacred grass, and invoking the wise Ashvins. Recognizing Dadhikrā, he addressed Agni, Ushas, Sūrya, and the sacred cows—the white, the brown, and the four of Varuṇa—asking them to drive away all misfortunes. Dadhikrā, the foremost, prize-winning steed, was praised as the leader among chariots, united with Ushas, Sūrya, the Ādityas, the Vasus, and the Angiras. Vasiṣṭha prayed that Dadhikrā would lead them on the right path, following the way of truth, and that Agni and all the mighty, immortal ones would hear their prayers. He then called upon Savitar, the god rich in gifts, to come to them, traversing the midspace, drawn by his horses, holding noble things in his hands, and bestowing abundance. Savitar’s arms, strong and broad, golden at their ends, stretched from heaven, and Vasiṣṭha wished his greatness to be manifest, with even the sun following his guidance. He prayed that Savitar, powerful and generous, would grant wealth and strength, and provide the food of mortals. The hymns praised Savitar’s beautiful tongue and radiant presence, seeking splendid vigor and the blessing of protection. Vasiṣṭha’s hymns then turned to Rudra, the god with firm bow and swift arrow, self-sustaining, mighty, enduring, and creative. He asked Rudra to hear them, to approach as protector, and to be gracious. Vasiṣṭha prayed that Rudra’s lightning, released from heaven, would shield them, and that his thousand healing remedies would soothe their ills, sparing their offspring and descendants. He begged Rudra not to strike or drive them away, nor let them fall under his wrath, but to grant favor in the sacrifice for the wish of life, and to always protect with blessings. Vasiṣṭha then addressed the Waters, those who first serve the gods and create the stream for Indra’s drink. He sought their pure, delightful, honey-sweet essence. He wished to attain their most sweet, swift-flowing stream, in which Indra delights with the Vasus, and prayed that, through worship, they might reach it that day. The divine waters, purified and rejoicing in their nature, followed their path without violating Indra’s laws. Vasiṣṭha offered oblations rich in ghee to the rivers, those spread by Sūrya’s rays and opened by Indra, asking for safe passage and protection. He rejoiced in the Ribhus, givers of wealth, and called upon them to let their noble intentions come forth. He asked to be with the mighty Ribhus, with strength upon strength, and for Vaja to protect them in gaining strength, with Indra as their ally to overcome foes. Even the ancient commands, he noted, remain effective, and Indra, the mighty, has shattered the enemy’s pride and established manly power. Vasiṣṭha asked the gods to make a broad path for them, to be united as helpers, and to grant wealth and protection. He praised the divine waters, born of the ocean, ever-purifying and never settling, sent forth by Indra. Whether heavenly or earthly, flowing or stagnant, dug or arising of themselves, all seeking the ocean, he prayed for their protection. Among them, Varuṇa is king, discerning truth and falsehood, and in them delight Soma and all the gods, with Agni Vaiśvānara within. Vasiṣṭha sought the protection of these pure, radiant, sweet-flowing waters. He then implored Mitra and Varuṇa to protect him, that neither clan nor people nor any being would bring harm. He sought to keep all dangers—bones, stones, thorns, or anything sharp—far away, and asked Agni to drive away all harm, especially the threat of serpents. He prayed for the removal of all poisons and dangers, whether in rivers or plants, by all the gods and Niriti, and for the rivers to be auspicious, divine, and harmless. Vasiṣṭha looked to the Ādityas for new favor, wishing to partake of their peaceful shelter, and asked that, in the freedom and innocence of Aditi, the mighty ones would accept their offering. He wished for the Ādityas—Mitra, Aryaman, Varuṇa—and Aditi herself to gladden and guard them, to drink the Soma for their aid. He invoked all the Ādityas, Maruts, gods, Rbhus, Indra, Agni, and the Ashvins for their blessings and protection. He prayed for the protection of the Ādityas and Aditi, of the Vasus, in both the world of the gods and mortals, seeking victory with Mitra and Varuṇa, and prosperity with Heaven and Earth. He asked Mitra and Varuṇa not to bring harm, and for the guardians to shelter their children and descendants. He prayed that they would not suffer for any ancestral sin, nor commit anything displeasing to the Vasus. Thus, through these sacred invocations and humble prayers, Vasiṣṭha sought the favor, protection, and blessings of the divine powers, for himself, his people, and all creation.