In the house of the mighty and exhilarating one, the stallion neighed eagerly, straining for the prize like a swift racer at the starting line. This great and nourishing being, full of vigor, had established a mighty power—his strength unmatched even among the exhilarating ones themselves. Across the vastness of heaven and earth, his greatness was ever exalted. With each new hymn of praise, he found delight, reveling in the devotion poured forth. The worshipper, yearning for revelation, called out to the lord: “Show us, O lord, the exhilarating dwelling of the cow, that sacred place for the worshipper, for the sun’s radiance!” To fulfill this desire, the people yoked their horses and brought the lord Indra, the tawny-maned, to his splendid chariot. Invited thus, Indra was urged to drink deeply of the mead offered in sacrifice—to accept the libation, surrounded by the ten priests gathered in sacred assembly. Of the Somas pressed in earlier rites, and now of this pressing, all was dedicated to the exhilarating one alone. The honeyed Soma was poured out for Indra, that he might drink with strength and vigor, the mighty draught filling him all at once. Turning then to the healing powers of nature, the hymn recalled the ancient plants—those born long ago, three ages before even the gods themselves. The singer declared their hundreds and their seven abodes, honoring their deep mystery. “O mothers, a hundred are your abodes, and a thousand are your forms,” the prayer continued. “Therefore, O you of a hundred powers, make my beloved free from disease.” The plants, rich with flowers and bearing fruit, were invoked to rejoice. Like swift horses, may these healing herbs carry the people safely across the sea of affliction. Addressed as goddesses and mothers, the plants were asked to grant blessings—a horse, a cow, clothing, and the spirit of vitality. Their seat, it was said, was under the ashvattha tree, their dwelling in the leaf. Some believed that when the plants brought forth a man, they were born from the cow itself. Wherever the plants gathered, like kings in a great assembly, the wise sage was called the healer—the guardian who drove away disease. All the plants, those possessing horses and Soma, bestowing strength and vigor, were entreated to come for complete protection. Their potent energies, guarded like cows in a pen, granted wealth to those who sought it, and renewed the spirit of humankind. The mother of the plants was named Iṣkṛtir, and the plants themselves were called Iṣkṛtis—sinewy and winged, ever driving away disease. The plants were praised for their power to overcome obstacles, just as a thief leaps over a pen; they shook off whatever impurity clung to the body. When one, seeking strength, took the plants in hand, the spirit of sickness departed, as if the snare of life itself were loosened. Wherever the plants spread, limb by limb, joint by joint, they were called upon to drive away disease—fiercely, like one with a powerful middle finger. They were urged to depart together with disease, with the screeching owl, with the wind’s blast, to perish with the departing darkness. The plants were to follow one another in unity, all together granting the wish of the supplicant. Whether bearing fruit or not, with or without flowers, all born of Brihaspati, were invoked to release humankind from affliction. May these plants free the people from curses, from Varuna’s wrath, from Yama’s fetters, and from every divine transgression. Whether the herbs fell to the ground or did not, whether they grew upon earth or in the sky, whoever was fed with them would not perish. Among all herbs ruled by Soma, abundant and wise in their hundreds, the highest was entreated to grant favorable desire and joy to the heart. These herbs, born of Brihaspati and established upon the earth, were asked to give their strength to the one in need. “Let none of you be harmed by my digging, O plants, for whom I dig you up; for all among us, both bipeds and quadrupeds, let there be freedom from illness.” The herbs, whether near or far, were called to gather together and give their strength to the chosen one. The plants spoke together with Soma, king of the gods; for whom the Brahman performed the rite, that person was delivered. “You are the highest among herbs; your roots are our foundation. Let that foundation be ours, a protection against all who assail us.” The hymn then turned to Brihaspati, invoking him to come with all his divinity—whether as Mitra, Varuna, Pushan, or with the Adityas, Vasus, and Maruts. Parjanya was asked to bring blessings for the offspring. A swift and wise divine messenger was summoned from the gods. The worshipper offered radiant speech as a seat, asking favor and turning of attention. “Place radiant speech in us, Brihaspati—speech free from disease and nourishing—by which we may obtain rain for our children, just as the honeyed drop from heaven enters the earth.” Indra was invoked to send honeyed drops, granting abundant wealth, presiding as the priest in due order, honoring the gods with offerings. The seer Arṣṭiṣeṇa, wise in divine favor, had once sat as the priest. He sent forth the heavenly waters from the upper to the lower ocean, making them abundant and rainy. In those times, the waters, restrained by the gods, had remained in the oceans, but released by Arṣṭiṣeṇa and the divine messenger, they flowed forth into the nourishing lands. When Devāpi, chosen as priest for Shantanu, compassionately performed the rites, Brihaspati—renowned among the gods—granted him speech that brought rain. Devāpi, shining with Agni’s light, and Arṣṭiṣeṇa, the human priest honored by all the gods, were called upon to move Parjanya to send rain. The ancient sages, with hymns, had approached the divine, invoking Rohidasva—much-invoked at sacrifices—to bring thousands of offerings to the ritual. For Agni, ninety-nine offerings, and nine more, and thousands besides, were placed. With these, Agni was asked to grow strong and to bring abundant rain from heaven. Agni was to send forth ninety thousand offerings as a share to Indra, the powerful one, placing the divine portion in heaven among the gods, knowing the proper path. Agni was called upon to drive away hostilities, scatter obstacles, and ward off evil and demons. From the vast ocean of heaven, he was asked to send the abundance of waters and earth. Finally, the question was raised: “Who, being wise, will make our offering splendid? Who will strengthen the broad-backed, swift horse for increase? Who, at dawn, will fashion the thunderbolt—the mighty weapon, slayer of Vritra—with the might of the generous donor?” Thus, the hymns flowed, weaving together praise for the exhilarating one, the healing power of plants, the blessings of rain, and the might of the gods—each invoked in their turn, each asked to bestow protection, abundance, and the flourishing of all life.