In the beginning, Heaven and Earth, following the cosmic order, brought forth the waters, the plants, and the forest trees—each worthy of sacrifice. The gods themselves spread out the shining midspace as a firm support and shaped the forms of their own bodies. The Ṛbhus, skillful and righteous, upheld the heavens, while the winds and Parjanya, the thunderer, moved mightily. May the waters and plants carry our hymns to the divine; may Bhaga, the generous giver, and the strong respond to our call. The ocean, the flowing rivers, the vast regions, and the midspace; the mysterious one-footed offspring, the thunderer, and the floods—all are invoked. May Ahi Budhnya, the serpent of the deep, listen to these words, along with all the gods and noble ones. Descendants of Manu, let us seek divine favor and be guided on the right path in our sacrifices. Adityas, Rudras, and Vasus—great givers—may you inspire these hymns as we recite them. We follow the divine Hotars, the first priests, with pure intent, walking the path of truth. Seeking the lord of the field and the friendly neighbor, may all the immortal gods bestow their gifts upon us. Like the ancient Vasishthas, who composed sacred speech, may we praise the gods who, desiring worship, grant well-being. O gods, as kinsmen pleased and desires fulfilled, drive away misfortune from us. Vasishtha has honored the immortal gods, those who stretch across all worlds. May they grant us broad protection today and always guard us with their blessings. The Father discovered a lofty insight, seven-headed and born of truth, and from him arose a fourth, universal offspring—out of whom was born the hymn of praise for Indra. The sons of heaven, the Angirases, shining and proclaiming truth, upheld the wise one's path, keeping the first abode of sacrifice in their minds. Like swans, speaking together, they broke through stone enclosures. Bṛhaspati roared aloud, sending forth a song; the wise one sang high. Two barriers opened while one remained beyond, and the cows stood hidden at the wall of untruth. Bṛhaspati, seeking light in the darkness, brought forth the three dawns and revealed them. He split the stronghold lying in the west, cutting through three together from the ocean. Bṛhaspati, thundering like the sky, discovered the dawn, the sun, the cows, and the light. Indra struck Vala, the guardian of the cows, with his mighty roar, desiring the butter-clad wealth. He made the Panis weep and released the cows. With shining allies, Indra shattered the iron fortress with his power. Brahmanaspati, with chosen bulls and companions, distributed the wealth, sweating with effort. With true minds, they sought the lord of the cows, striving together in thought; Bṛhaspati, with mutual praise, released the dawns yoked to their own chariots. Exalting him with auspicious thoughts, roaring like a lion in the assembly, we honor Bṛhaspati, the mighty and victorious in every contest. When he gained the all-formed prize, he made the upper realms of heaven resound. Exalting Bṛhaspati, the mighty and diverse, they claimed the light as their own. Grant us true blessings for long life, O gods; you help even the singer with your gifts. May all hostilities be left behind; may heaven and earth hear all our desires. Indra, by his greatness, thundered over the great serpent and slew the dragon, releasing the seven rivers. With the gods, heaven and earth protected us. Like birds rising up, protecting themselves, their voices resounded like those of the weak. Born from the mountain, the roaring hymns, exulting, approached Bṛhaspati. The Angirases, striving with cows, led him like Bhaga leads to Aryaman. In the assembly, Mitra unites like a couple; O Bṛhaspati, grant us strength in the contest, O swift one. The sacrificial wives, honored guests, radiant and flawless, were driven out by Bṛhaspati from the mountains, as one winnows barley from its chaff. Pouring forth, he cast down the honeyed source of truth; the Sun hurled a flame as if from the sky. Bṛhaspati, lifting the cows from the stone, split the earth’s skin as water splits a covering. With light, he dispelled the darkness in the midspace, as wind drives a shepherd from the water; Bṛhaspati scattered Vala as the wind scatters a cloud and brought forth the cows. When Bṛhaspati, with the heat of fire and hymns, broke the stronghold of greedy Vala, he seized the encircled wealth, revealing the hidden treasures of the dawns. Bṛhaspati alone knew the names of the singers, hidden in their dwelling; like breaking the shell of a bird’s egg, he brought forth the dawns from the mountain by his power. They saw the honey, enclosed and guarded, like a fish helpless in the water; Bṛhaspati, with a roar, broke it out as one shakes a ladle from a tree. He found the light and the fire, driving away darkness with his hymn; Bṛhaspati seized the marrow from the body of Vala the cow, as one takes the joint from a limb. As frost strips leaves from trees, so Bṛhaspati, unpitying, stripped Vala of the cows; he made what was not to be repeated, as the Sun and Dawn rise apart. As fathers adorn the sky with stars, like a dark horse with white markings, they set darkness in the night and light in the day; Bṛhaspati split the rock and revealed the cows. This deed, a homage to the mighty one who follows the ancient path anew—Bṛhaspati, with cows, horses, heroes, and men—grant us long life. Auspicious is the guidance of Agni, of Vadhryaśva, pleasing and full of blessings. When the friendly clans kindle him at the fore, summoned with ghee, he shines, never failing. Ghee is the growth of Agni, his food, his strength and delight; kindled with ghee, he spreads wide, his stream of clarified butter shining like the Sun. What Manu, Anīka, and Sumitra offered in the kindling—may this be renewed, Agni. Shine forth with wealth, accept our songs, and grant us strength and fame. Whom Vadhryaśva of old invoked in the kindling, Agni, accept this offering; be our protector and guardian, preserving among us the gift that is yours. Be glorious, O Vadhryaśva, and a steadfast guardian; let not the enmity of men overcome you. Like a bold hero, ever advancing, O Sumitra, I now proclaim the name of Vadhryaśva. With the noble mountain, you have won treasures, conquering Dasa and Arya foes; like a bold hero, ever advancing among men, Agni, you are the leader in battle. Agni, long-threaded, abundant, a thousandfold, with a hundred guides, shines among the shining, purified by men, blazing among the Sumitras and those who worship the gods. In you, O Jātavedas, the cow yields sweet milk, as if united with a bellowing calf; you are kindled by generous men, by the Sumitras, by those who worship the gods. The immortal gods, O Jātavedas, declared your greatness, O Vadhryaśva. When you inquire, let the human clans come, for you have conquered with men strong in you.