As the night receded, the radiant goddess Dawn began to shine upon the world, casting her most splendid rays across the sky. Like a nurturing woman who prolongs the lives of her children, she bestowed her abundant gifts—wealth overflowing with cattle, horses, and chariots—upon all who beheld her. The noble Vasiṣṭhas raised their hymns in her honor, exalting the well-born Dawn, and in return, she granted them lofty riches and enveloped them always in her protective blessings. The first beams of Dawn pierced the darkness, her shining rays stretching upward. She approached in her magnificent, radiant chariot, bringing with her favor and a flood of light. In response to her coming, Agni was kindled, and the inspired ones lifted their voices in praise. The goddess advanced, her brilliance dispelling all darkness and misfortune. Each day, the Dawns appeared, glowing with light, chasing away the night’s gloom. They brought forth the Sun, ignited the sacrificial fires, and awakened Agni, banishing all that was unwelcome. The generous daughter of heaven awoke, visible to all, mounting her self-yoked chariot drawn by well-harnessed horses. On this day, the generous and the grateful alike greeted her with good thoughts, asking her and her shining sisters to scatter the darkness and ever shield them with blessings. With her coming, Dawn opened the paths for all people, rousing the five tribes of men from their slumber. With her well-seeing oxen, she brought forth the light, while the Sun, with his all-encompassing vision, filled heaven and earth. She revealed the changing seasons at the edges of the sky, and like yoked women, the Dawns strove together. Her cows turned back the darkness, and as Savitar stretched out his arms, light spread everywhere. Dawn became as mighty and generous as Indra himself, bestowing fame and good fortune and showering riches upon the pious Angiras. To those who praised her with the roar of the bull, she granted wealth, breaking open the strong doors of the clouds to release her gifts. She inspired the gods to grant boons and urged mortals toward truth. As she shone, she offered wisdom for prosperity and continued to protect her devotees with blessings. It was with hymns that the inspired Vasiṣṭhas first awakened the Dawn, who turned the two realms and revealed all the worlds. Bearing new life, she arose from darkness into light, a youthful and unashamed maiden who went before all, kindling the Sun, the sacrifice, and Agni. Each day, the Dawns—rich in horses, cattle, and heroes—rose for their worshippers, pouring forth blessings as ghee from every side. She appeared again, the shining daughter of heaven, dispelling the great darkness and making light for all to see. The Sun rose with his rays, the star ascending, and at the dawning of both Sun and Dawn, people prepared to go forth and take their share of the day’s gifts. The worshippers approached the aged daughter of heaven, for she bore wondrous treasures dearly desired. To her, the radiant goddess who performed renowned deeds and bestowed treasures, they prayed as children to their mother, seeking her favor. They asked her to bring them the most renowned and far-reaching gifts, granting them the bounty fit for mortals to enjoy. Upon the inspired ones, she bestowed immortal fame and wealth, and upon all, the prize rich in cattle. Encouraging generosity, she rose up, ever dispelling the darkness. Then, turning their prayers to Indra and Varuṇa, the people sought great protection for their sacrifices and their communities. They called upon these mighty sovereigns, lords of light and great givers of wealth, in whom all the gods in the highest heaven had united their strength. With their power, Indra and Varuṇa had hollowed out the beds of the waters and set the Sun in the sky. In the exhilaration of their wondrous deeds, they inspired the thoughts of the wise. In battles, Indra and Varuṇa were like fires, the source of safety, lords of both material and spiritual wealth. The people invoked them, knowing that by their power, all beings and all that is born were made. Mitra, with Varuṇa, brought security, and the mighty one, with the Maruts, advanced with good fortune. The strength of Varuṇa was measured and firm, rewarding the righteous and surpassing the weak, while ever choosing what was greater. For those whom Indra and Varuṇa led at the sacrifice, no harm or evil could befall them, for the gods shielded them from suffering and error. The people were called to come near with divine aid, to listen and receive the friendship and favor of these mighty gods. In every battle, Indra and Varuṇa were invoked as leaders, to decide the contests for offspring and descendants, and to grant glory, protection, and honor to the light of Aditi and the praise of Savitar. The story of Sudās was recalled: Indra and Varuṇa, seeing the ancient friendship, went forth to the east with great armies, seeking cattle. They aided Sudās against the Dāsas, the Vṛtras, and even the Aryas, ensuring his victory. Where men gathered with banners raised, and where fear gripped even the shining ones, Indra and Varuṇa spoke on behalf of their devotees. They had seen the ends of the earth, covered in darkness, and their sound rose to the sky. They did not let their enemies stand firm, but came near with their help. With invincible weapons, they broke through and protected Sudās, listening to the prayers of the priests, for the priesthood of the Tṛtsus was true. Though hostile enemies oppressed the noble, Indra and Varuṇa, rulers of all wealth, protected their people from the highest heaven. They were invoked in every battle, especially when Sudās was surrounded by ten kings; together with the Tṛtsus, they ensured his triumph. Those ten kings, who did not offer sacrifices, could not overcome Sudās, for the true praise of men became their offering to the gods. For the son of Daśa, beset on all sides, Indra and Varuṇa gave strength to Sudās. The wise and devoted Tṛtsus, with their white-crested helmets, triumphed through reverence and thought. One of the gods slew adversaries in battle, while the other upheld vows. The people called upon Indra and Varuṇa with splendid praises, asking always for their protection. Thus, the Dawns, the gods, and the mighty protectors watched over their people, bringing light, wealth, wisdom, and victory, as the hymns of the faithful rose with the coming of each new day.