In the ancient times, when the fires of conflict blazed and the hearts of men yearned for victory, the spirit of Wrath was invoked. Like a mighty fire, Wrath was called forth—strong and radiant, summoned to lead as the general in battle, the peerless champion of his people. With fervor, Wrath was asked to vanquish the enemies, to divide the spoils justly, to measure his own strength, and to drive away all hostilities from the land. "O Wrath," the people prayed, "be steadfast against those who bear us ill-will. Break their ranks, crush their power, and utterly destroy our foes. Your fierce might has already been awakened; as a master commands his loyal followers, so do you lead us, standing alone in your supremacy." It was known that Wrath, though solitary, could triumph over multitudes. He was entreated to lead each host into battle, for with Wrath as their ally, the people spoke with honest voices and, through his strength, made their fame resound in victory. They praised Wrath, their indomitable lord, even as Indra is praised, the unconquerable winner of battles. They honored his beloved name and recognized the source from which his power had arisen. By his might, Wrath—born together with the thunderbolt and the arrow—held supreme, unconquered power. With unwavering resolve, he was invoked to come to their aid, to release great wealth and prosperity for those who called upon him. The blessings of united and complete wealth were bestowed upon them, granted by both Varuṇa and Manyu. Thus, may the enemies, filled with fear in their hearts, be overcome and forced to withdraw. Amidst these invocations, the eternal order of the cosmos was remembered. The earth stands firm, upheld by truth, while the sky is supported by the radiant sun. The Ādityas, the shining deities, abide by cosmic order, and the sacred Soma is established high in the heavens. By Soma's power, the Ādityas are mighty; by Soma, the great earth endures. Among the stars, Soma shines at their center. Yet, when men drink, thinking they have consumed Soma as they press the sacred plant, they do not truly partake of what the priests know as Soma—the true essence, which is beyond mortal reach. Soma, well-guarded and protected by sacred coverings and the Barhish grass, remains safe. Though the stones press and the people listen, no mortal truly partakes of Soma. When the gods drink Soma, he is replenished anew. Vāyu, the swift wind, is Soma’s guardian, and the months themselves are his form. In the midst of these cosmic mysteries, a divine wedding was celebrated. Raibhyā served as the bridesmaid, Nārāśaṃsī as the attendant, and Sūryā, the radiant daughter of the Sun, was adorned with a garment of auspicious song. Cittirā was her seat, Cakṣurā her ointment, and heaven and earth together formed the vessel for her union. The hymns themselves became the wedding responses, the Kurīra the covering, and sacred verses the bands that bound the couple. For Sūryā, the twin gods, the Aśvins, were the groomsmen, and Agni, the sacred fire, led the procession. Soma was the suitor, the Aśvins the groomsmen, and when Sūryā was given to her husband, Savitṛ, the inspirer, bestowed her with blessings. Her mind was the axle of the chariot, the sky its canopy, and shining oxen drew her as she entered her new home. The Ṛc and Sāman hymns yoked the two cows, and with song, her hearing was fashioned and the path set in the heavens. Her chariot’s shining wheel was made for her, breath set the axle in motion, and with a chariot shaped by her mind, Sūryā ascended, striving toward her husband. Savitṛ sent forth the yoke for Sūryā’s chariot, and the cows were struck among the unyoked, enclosed between the white ones. When the Aśvins, inquiring, arrived with Sūryā’s three-wheeled chariot, all the gods became aware, and Pūṣan, the nourisher, chose his parents. The Aśvins, lords of beauty, came seeking Sūryā as bride, and the mystery of the chariot’s one hidden wheel and the known two was pondered—only the wise understood the secret. To Sūryā, to the gods, to Mitra and Varuṇa, and to all the wise, homage was offered. Two children, moving forward and backward by their divine illusion, circled the sacrifice—one observing all worlds, the other arranging the seasons and being reborn. Ever new and ever renewed, the sign of days is born, coming first among the dawns, apportioning shares to the gods. The Moon, advancing, attains long life. Sūryā was invited to ascend the lovely, golden-hued silk-cotton tree, well-covered and with good wheels, to journey to the world of immortality and become agreeable for bearing to her husband. The call was given: “Rise up, go forth! For she is a wife.” With reverence, Viśvāvasu was praised and asked to seek another seat among the ancestors, for this was Sūryā’s rightful share by birth. Again, Viśvāvasu was invoked to rise, to seek another wide expanse, so that the wife might unite with her husband. The wish was made that the paths be straight and free from falsehood, so friends might find good spouses. Aryaman and Bhaga were called to bring the couple together, and the gods were asked to grant harmony in the household. Sūryā was released from the noose of Varuṇa, with which Savitṛ had graciously bound her, and placed unharmed in the seat of truth, in the world of good deeds, together with her husband. She was released, not to be taken away, but to be well-bound, so that, with Indra’s blessing, she might have good sons and fortune. Pūṣan was asked to lead her, holding her hand, the Aśvins to carry her in their chariot. She was welcomed into the house as its mistress, to preside and speak wisely in the assembly. She was blessed to prosper with offspring, to keep watch over the household fire, to unite with her husband, and to offer her wisdom in the gathering. It was acknowledged that harmful attachments would be revealed and set aside, that her relatives would increase, and her husband be steadfast. Discord was to be given away to the Brahmins, wealth was to be distributed, and the woman, now free from harm, would enter her husband’s home. If a husband strayed, desiring another with his wife’s garment, his own prosperity would fade. Any diseases that might follow the bride were invoked to be sent away by the gods, so that the couple might be protected as they journeyed through life, free from enemies and obstacles. The bride was declared auspicious, and all were invited to look upon her, to bestow blessings and then return to their homes. The knowledge of the Sūryā hymn was held sacred, and only the Brahmin who truly knew it was deemed worthy of the bride. Thus, with the blessings of the gods, the order of the cosmos, and the wisdom of the seers, the union was sanctified, and the path of household life was set upon with harmony, prosperity, and divine favor.