With reverence and ancient invocation, the seekers gather, calling upon the noble deities: Bhaga, Mitra, Aditi, Daksha who never fails, Aryaman, Varuna, Soma, and the Ashvins. They pray that Sarasvati, the gracious one, may grant happiness and well-being. They entreat Vata, the wind, to bring healing and joy, and invoke Mother Earth and Father Sky for their blessings. Even the pressing stones, born of Soma, are called to bring happiness, and the mighty Ashvins are asked to hear these prayers. Turning to the Lord who governs all that moves and stands still, the master who inspires understanding, the seekers ask for help. They call upon Pūṣan, the knower of all paths, to be their protector and guardian, unfailing in his care. May Indra, renowned for his glory, grant well-being; may Pūṣan, ever-knowing, bestow his blessings; may Tārkṣya, whose wheel is never broken, grant well-being; and may Bṛhaspati, wise among the gods, bring well-being. The Maruts, with their spotted steeds, children of Pṛśni, bring blessings and are praised in assemblies. The men with tongues of fire, whose eye is the sun, are called, and all the gods are invited to come forth with their help. The seekers wish to hear what is auspicious with their ears, to see what is auspicious with their eyes. With firm limbs and bodies, they praise the gods and hope to live out the life allotted to them. May they see a hundred autumns, their bodies not growing old, where sons become fathers, and their lives are not cut short in the middle. Aditi is the sky, Aditi is the midspace; she is mother, father, and son. All the gods are Aditi, and the five peoples are Aditi. She is what is born, and she is the birth-giver. May Varuṇa, with upright guidance, lead them; may Mitra, knowing, lead them; may Aryaman, together with the gods, guide them. These deities are givers of wealth, unfailing, mighty with great powers, always protecting the ordinances. The immortal gods are asked to grant shelter from harm, to distinguish the seekers from mortals, and to drive away hatred. Indra, the Maruts, Pūṣan, Bhaga, and the worthy ones are called to open up paths for prosperity. Pūṣan, who leads the cows, and the swift-moving rays are invoked to make thoughts fruitful for Viṣṇu, bringing well-being. Sweetness is wished for: the winds bring sweetness for the righteous; the rivers pour out sweetness; may the plants be sweet for all. Sweet is the night and the dawn, sweet is the earthly realm, sweet is the sky, the father. Sweetness be in the forest tree, sweetness be the sun; may the cows be sweet. May Mitra, Varuṇa, and Aryaman be gracious; may Indra, Bṛhaspati, and Viṣṇu of wide stride be gracious too. The focus turns to Soma, wise in understanding, who leads on the straightest path. By Soma’s guidance, the forefathers, wise among the gods, obtained the treasure. Soma is wise with powers, skillful, all-knowing; a bull among bulls, glorious among the glorious, seeing among men. The ordinances of King Varuṇa belong to Soma; his domain is vast and deep. Soma is pure, dear as Mitra, skillful as Aryaman. The powers of Soma are everywhere: in the sky, on earth, in the mountains, in plants, and in waters. With all these, Soma is asked, as king, to approach the offerings with a gracious mind and accept them. Soma is the true master, king and slayer of the foe. He is noble, he is wisdom. Soma is the strength of the seekers; they pray to live and not perish. The beloved one, praised, is lord of plants. Soma grants great fortune, gives youth for righteousness, and bestows skill for life. He is asked to protect everywhere from harm, for no friend of Soma suffers loss. Soma’s joyful supports are for the worshippers; with them, he is asked to be protector. He is invited to the sacrifice, to the words, delighting in them, to be the source of growth. With songs, Soma is increased, knowing the words; he is called to bring gentle favor. Soma expands life, removes distress, gives wealth, increases prosperity, and is asked to be a good friend. Soma is called to delight hearts as cows in fresh pasture, as a young man in his own home. Whoever delights in Soma’s friendship, that mortal, the wise, is joined by skill. Soma is asked to drive far all curses, to protect from harm, to be a friend and bring good fortune. Soma is called to expand, to let his strength gather from all sides, to be the source of vigor. Soma, most exhilarating, is called to expand with all his streams, to be the most renowned friend for growth. His nourishing powers and strengths are asked to come together, his vigor and ability to overcome foes to unite. As Soma expands for immortality, he is asked to place the highest fame in heaven. The powers of Soma, worshipped with offerings, are asked to surround the sacrifice. Soma, expanding life, crossing over, strong and heroic, is called to drive away misfortune. Soma gives the cow, Soma gives the swift horse, Soma gives the heroic man of action. He gives what is beneficial, what is to be known, what is to be discussed, and ancestral fame to those who worship him. In battle and contests, Soma is mighty; he is the lord of light, guardian of waters, protector of people. In struggle, he brings good dwelling and renowned victory; the seekers rejoice in Soma. Soma has generated all these plants, produced the waters, created the cows. He has stretched out the wide midspace, and with his light, driven away darkness. With divine mind, Soma is asked to contend for the seekers’ share of wealth, not to let his strength be diminished in the contest for the prize. Thus, in reverence and gratitude, the seekers call upon the gods and Soma, praying for sweetness, well-being, guidance, and prosperity, so that their lives may be long, their hearts joyful, and their fame reach the highest heaven.