In ancient times, the wise one, longing to be revealed, released the seven sisters—the rivers that rush forth with honeyed sweetness. His quest led him to discover the ancient enclosure, hidden in the midst of the vast space, the secret abode of Pūṣan. Poets, inspired by this mystery, fashioned seven boundaries, setting one apart as especially difficult to cross. There, a pillar of iron stands deep within the foundation, amidst the expanse of many paths and supports. At the dawn of creation, both the existent and the non-existent dwelled in the highest heaven, within the womb of Aditi, at the birth of Dakṣa. Among them, Agni emerged as the first-born of cosmic order, revered as the ancient bull and cow. This Agni, in whose shelter the singer grows strong, is praised anew. Surrounded by the radiant lights of the seers, he moves, shining brightly. He shines forth with his rays, ever true with the gods, tirelessly spreading friendship among friends, swift like a racer among horses. Agni rules over all divine aid and all life at the dawn. Into him, offerings are placed with mindful intent; he is the most excellent charioteer, upholding the cosmic order with his powers. Strengthened and rejoicing in hymns, Agni swiftly approaches the gods, eager for the offering. As the gentle Hotṛ, most worthy of sacrifice, he mingles with the gods and tastes the offerings. Honor Agni with reverent words, as one honors Indra the victorious. To him, whom the wise praise with their thoughts, the knower of all births, the strong one with the offering, all treasures have gathered, as horses with seven reins in a contest. Agni, grant us the most Indra-like and Vāta-like aids; bring them near. By his greatness, Agni, sitting down, became the offering as soon as he was born. The gods followed his sign, and the first mothers increased him. Grant us well-being, Agni, from heaven and earth; bestow all life for the sacrifice. May we unite with your wondrous insights and be made spacious by your wide blessings. The thoughts born for Agni praise him, seeking reward in cattle and horses. When a mortal partakes of Agni’s enjoyment, supporting with thoughts, Agni, the well-born, is gracious. Agni is considered as father, mother, brother, and constant friend. The face of Agni, great, bright, and adorable, is worshipped like the sun in heaven. May our thoughts be successful, Agni, for us—the protector who guards the house as the eternal Hotṛ. True to order, with red horses, much-praised, may he bring us good fortune with shining days. Like a friend set in shining days, Agni, the ancient officiant and spouse of the sacrifice, is generated by the priests and seated as Hotṛ among the clans. Offer the sacrifice yourself, Agni, god among gods, in heaven; what can the unwise cooking do for you? Sacrifice to the gods in the proper seasons, Agni; thus, offer yourself, well-born one. Be our protector and guardian, Agni; make us youthful and grant long life. Bestow upon us the gift of offerings, protect us, and let not our bodies fail. With great radiance, Agni advances; the bull roars between heaven and earth. Even at the ends of heaven, the mighty buffalo has grown in the lap of the waters. The embryo, the bull, rejoiced, bearing a hump; the shining calf, full of strength, bellowed. He makes the divine powers rise up, prevailing first in his own abodes. He took hold of the head of his parents, the mighty one, established in the sacrifice. The red mares with horse-yoked chariots delighted in his descent, in the womb of truth, in their own bodies. The Vasus came forth first at dawn, becoming the light among the twins. For truth, they set seven steps, creating Mitra for themselves. Agni is the eye of existence, the guardian of truth; he is Varuṇa when moving for truth. He is the offspring of the waters, Jātavedas, the messenger who delights in offerings. He leads sacrifice and the realm, joining with auspicious helpers. In the sky, Agni has set his head, shining, and made his tongue the bearer of offerings. Trita, by his will, chose the middle space, seeking the shelter of his father and the distant one. Seeking alliance in the lap of his parents, the kinsman wields the ancestral weapons, speaking. Knowing these weapons and urged by Indra, the descendant of Āpti fought, striking down the three-headed, seven-rayed one, and releasing the cows of Tvaṣṭṛ. Indra, with abundant strength, overcame the one who thought himself most powerful; the good lord struck him down. Even Tvaṣṭṛ, the all-shaped one, lost the cows and had his three heads cut off. The waters are called to come, bringers of delight, granting nourishment and vision for great contests. Their most auspicious essence is to be shared, like loving mothers. Therefore, we approach them, inspired by their dwelling; may the waters generate us anew. May the divine waters, rich in blessings, flow for our drinking, bringing well-being. Mistresses of treasures, sustaining peoples, the waters are asked for healing remedies. In the waters, Soma speaks: within them are all remedies, and Agni, the bringer of all blessings. May the waters fill us with healing and protection for our bodies, granting us long life to see the sun. May they carry away whatever evil is within us—wrongdoings, falsehoods, or curses. Today, we have come among the waters, mingling with their essence. Agni, full of milk, grant us radiance; do not take it away. Let us choose friendship with a companion, crossing even a vast sea. May the wise one place the grandson of the father here, shining, on earth as a bridge. Yet, no friend desires such friendship when forms diverge. Sons of the great, heroes of the Asura, sustainers of the vast expanse, are renowned throughout the wide world. The immortals praise this, even regarding a single mortal born on earth. May your mind not be set upon us; may you not, desiring, enter into our bodies. Let us not repeat past actions; let us not, speaking untruth, commit falsehood, O immortals. The Gandharva is in the waters, and the maiden as well; she is our navel, our highest kinship. In the womb, our creator made us a couple—Kardama, Tvaṣṭṛ, Savitṛ of manifold forms. None transgresses his ordinances; both earth and heaven know the vessel of his wisdom. Thus, from the release of the honeyed rivers to the mysteries of creation, from the praise of Agni to the healing power of waters, and the bonds of kinship and truth, the ancient story unfolds, reverently honoring the divine order and the cosmic forces that sustain all.