Hear now the sacred tale, woven from the invocations and hymns of the seers. Shyavashva, the noble sage of the Atris, pressed the Soma and called upon Indra and Agni to partake in its drinking. With earnest voice, he summoned them for aid, just as the wise have always done before him, desiring their presence at the sacred feast. He invoked not only Indra and Agni, but also sought the favor of Sarasvati, by whose grace the Gayatri is sung, and in whose presence the hymns rise to the heavens. With devotion, the worshipper turned his praise to Agni. He honored Agni with hymns and worship, seeking the favor of the gods, for Agni, the sage, moves between both divine and human assemblies as a messenger, urging all others to silence in reverence. With fresh words, he praised Agni for the well-being of the people, desiring that all the Aryas, united and free from hostility, might join with Agni in harmony, while others kept silent. Thoughts and offerings, as pure as clarified butter, were poured out to Agni, so that he might make them known among the gods. Ancient and gracious, Agni, messenger of Vivasvan, was honored as the one who established strength and vigor according to need, and who brought joy and delight to the invocations of all the gods. Agni’s perception was praised as greater than all, his actions splendid. He stood as priest at perpetual rites, adorned with gifts, bringing prosperity to those who honored him. Among gods and mortals, Agni knew what was to be attained. He was the giver of wealth and opener of doors, always responding to offerings with renewed favor. Agni dwelled among the gods, worthy in sacrifice, nourishing the wise with gladness, as the earth nourishes all. He was honored among the gods for sacrifice, and established among men as the seventh, present in all the rivers, the threefold one, destroyer of foes, ancient and foremost in sacrifice. He abided in three triple places, the sage among assemblies, worshipping and gladdening the people, the inspired priest, adorned as a messenger. Agni was for his devotees in life, ancient among the gods, ruler of wealth, approached by the flowing waters as their own lord. Turning again to Indra and Agni, the prayer rose: “May you both be strong for us, may you grant us wealth, so that we may overcome even the firmest in battle, as Agni conquers the forest and the wind sweeps all before it.” The worshippers declared their exclusive devotion to Indra, the most powerful among men, invoking him to come with his team whenever strength and wisdom were needed. Indra and Agni were hailed as masters among those who bear offerings, wise and friendly when questioned. The people sought that their hymn might reach these great ones, just as it had with Nabhāka, who worshipped Indra and Agni with sacrifice and song, knowing that they upheld the world, heaven and earth, with wealth gathered in their great lap. The hymns, as in Nabhāka’s time, were directed to Indra and Agni, who with seven streams cleared the crooked barrier and filled the ocean, Indra ruling with might. The people asked that, as in ancient times, the strength of the enemy be cut down, the foe confounded, and that they might share in the gathered wealth with Indra. Whenever the people were challenged with words, they prayed to Indra and Agni for victory in battle, to conquer the hostile and not be hindered in assembly. The two bright ones, rising in the sky with the days, were seen as releasing the bonds of the rivers, following their ordinance. Many were the likenesses and praises of Indra, the golden one, son of the charger, and his gifts strengthened the thoughts of the people. They strengthened Indra with fair praises, the mighty and heroic, swift to shatter the strongholds of Shushna, so that the waters rich in sunlight might flow. The true sacrificer, mighty and proper, was also strengthened so that, by his might, the strongholds of Shushna were broken, and the sunlit waters released. Thus, with Indra and Agni, as the fathers did, as Mandhātṛ and the Angirases before them, the people prayed for triple shelter and to become lords of riches. Now, seeking abundance, the song turned to Varuṇa and the Maruts, praised with song by those who know and excel. Varuṇa, like a herdsman, guarded the cattle, watching over all. United in voice and thought, as the fathers and Nabhāka had done, the people praised Varuṇa, who stood as the middle one among the seven sisters at the coming of the rivers. He, by his power, encompassed the nights and set the dawns in their places, establishing all things to be seen. The three dawns grew, following his ordinance. He fixed the supports and pillars of the earth, treading the ancient path, guarding as a herdsman does. He upheld the worlds, knowing the hidden names of the bright ones, fostering many forms like the sky. All works were established in him, as spokes on a nave. Trita worshipped him as a charioteer, and within his enclosure, cows and horses were yoked. In his own abode, he surveyed all creatures, measured Varuṇa’s dwellings, and led the way before the cities, all gods following his ordinance. He flowed like the ocean, rising as if to the sky when the sacrificial formula was established, ascending heaven with radiant, mysterious steps. His three white, perceptive realms traversed the fixed abode of Varuṇa, rejoicing among the seven. He made the white ones pure, followed the black ones in order, claimed the ancient domain, and with his pillar supported both worlds, sustaining the sky like the unborn one. The mighty, all-knowing Varuṇa upheld the sky and measured the earth’s expanse. Seated as sovereign, all the worlds assembled before him, for all these were the ordinances of Varuṇa. The people honored and revered Varuṇa, the exalted, the wise guardian of immortality, praying for triple-shielded protection, and for Heaven and Earth to guard them in their embrace. They sought wisdom, resolve, and skill from Varuṇa, so that with these gifts, they might cross all misfortunes and ascend the well-constructed boat of safety. Finally, the stones and prayers called forth the Aśvins, the wise Nāsatyas, for the drinking of Soma, just as the priest had once summoned them with songs. The worshippers rejoiced, for the divine twins had come to the sacred feast. Thus, the story unfolds, a tapestry of praise and invocation, where gods and mortals meet in worship, seeking protection, wisdom, and abundance, their voices united in reverence and joy.