Let us recall the ancient beginnings, the birth of the primal Father, as the tongue of Soma moves forward, radiant with vision. When the singer lifts his voice to seek Indra, then the noble names of the gods are firmly established, honored in their rightful place. For the sake of glory, the divine ones measure themselves with beams of light; with their rays and with hymns, they bring delight to the world. Banners raised, armed and courageous, they have found the beloved dwelling of the Maruts, the storm gods. Come, O Maruts, ride forth in your shining chariots, laden with lightning and drawn by adorned horses. With spears in hand, fly like skillful birds, bringing the richest nourishment. With your ruddy, tawny steeds, you move in splendor; your chariots, adorned like ornaments of gold, strike the earth with sharpened axes as their wheels turn. For glory, your bands are arrayed upon your bodies; like wise ones, you stand upright and resolute. You, Maruts, noble and mighty, are those who shatter the rock. Yet greedy ones have tried to encircle your days, but this divine inspiration, this thought, is yours, O gods. The Gotamas, with hymns and prayers, have raised the well for drinking, invoking your favor. Your yoking, O Maruts, has reached its goal as Gotama has sung your praises, beholding your golden-wheeled, iron-toothed, swift forms, boar-like in their might. Your follower sings in your honor, his voice like a skilled singer, praising your power with both hands, following your nature. May auspicious thoughts come to us from every side—thoughts that are flawless, unimpeded, and ever-springing. May the gods be our constant protectors, granting us growth and long life, day by day. May the favor of the gods be straight before us, their generosity turned toward us. May we draw near to their friendship, and may they grant us life to live. With the ancient invocation, we call upon Bhaga, Mitra, Aditi, the steadfast Daksha, Aryaman, Varuna, Soma, the Ashvins, and may Sarasvati grant us happiness and well-being. May Vata, the wind, bring us joy and healing; may Mother Earth and Father Sky do so as well. May the pressing stones, born of Soma, bring us happiness, and may the mighty Ashvins hear our call. We call upon that Lord, master of all that moves and stands still, who inspires understanding, for help. May Pūṣan, who knows all the ways, be our unfailing protector and guardian. May Indra, famed for his glory, grant us well-being; may Pūṣan, the all-knower, do the same; may Tārkṣya, whose wheel never breaks, and Bṛhaspati, grant us well-being. May the Maruts, with their spotted steeds, children of Pṛśni, bring blessings as they are praised in assemblies. May those with tongues of fire, whose eye is the sun, and all the gods come here to help us. May we hear what is auspicious with our ears, O gods, and see what is auspicious with our eyes, O worshipful ones. With firm limbs and bodies, praising you, may we live out the life the gods have allotted us. May we see a hundred autumns, O gods, with bodies that do not grow old, where sons become fathers, and our lives are not cut short in their midst. Aditi is the sky, Aditi is the midspace, Aditi is mother, father, and son; all the gods are Aditi, all peoples are Aditi; Aditi is what is born and the birth-giver. May Varuṇa, with upright guidance, lead us; may Mitra, who knows the way, and Aryaman, together with the gods, lead us onward. For they are givers of wealth, unfailing and mighty, always upholding the ordinances. May they, immortal, grant us shelter from harm, distinguishing us from the mortal, driving away hatred. May Indra, the Maruts, Pūṣan, Bhaga, and the worthy ones open the paths to our prosperity. And may Pūṣan, leader of the cows, and the swift-moving rays, make our thoughts fruitful for Viṣṇu, bringing us well-being. Sweetness the winds bring for the righteous; sweetness the rivers pour out; may the plants be sweet for us. Sweet is the night and the dawn; sweet is the earth; sweet is the sky, our father. May sweetness dwell in the forest trees, may the sun be sweet for us, and may our cows be sweet as well. May Mitra be gracious to us, may Varuṇa be gracious, may Aryaman, Indra, Bṛhaspati, and Viṣṇu of the wide stride be gracious to us. You, Soma, are wise in understanding, leading us on the straightest path. By your guidance, O Indu, our wise forefathers among the gods obtained the treasure. You, Soma, are wise in your powers, skillful in your abilities, all-knowing; a bull among bulls, glorious among the glorious, seeing among men. The ordinances of King Varuṇa are yours; your domain, Soma, is vast and deep. You are pure, dear as Mitra, skillful as Aryaman, O Soma. Your powers are in the sky, on earth, in the mountains, in plants, and in waters—by all these, Soma, with gracious mind, O king, approach our offerings and accept them. You are Soma, the true master; king and slayer of the foe, noble and wise. You are our strength; let us live and not perish, O beloved one, praised and lord of plants. You grant us great fortune, bestow youth for righteousness, and give skill for life. Protect us everywhere, O king, from harm; no friend of yours suffers loss. Those joyful supports of yours, Soma, are for the worshipper; with them, be our protector. Come to this sacrifice, to these words, delighting in them. Be our growth, Soma. With our songs we increase you, knowing the sacred words. Come to us, bring gentle favor. Expanding life, remover of distress, giver of wealth, increaser of prosperity—be our good friend, Soma. Delight our hearts as cows in fresh pasture, as a young man rejoices in his own home.