May all the plants, those swift as horses and rich with Soma’s essence, those that bestow strength and vigor, gather around us, shielding us with complete protection. The potent energy of these plants is carefully kept, like cows enclosed in a pen, ready to grant wealth to those who seek them, and to restore the spirit of humankind. The plants are known by the name Iṣkṛtir, the mother of all, and they themselves are the Iṣkṛtis—the sinews and the winged ones—who drive away disease. They have overcome every obstacle, leaping over all barriers as a thief leaps over a pen, shaking off every defilement from the body. When, desiring strength, I take these sacred plants in my hand, the spirit of sickness departs, as if the very snare of life is loosened. Wherever these plants extend—limb by limb, joint by joint—there they drive away disease, fierce and relentless in their healing power. Let disease depart together with the screeching owl; let it be swept away with the wind’s blast, perishing with the departing darkness. Let each plant follow the next, one after another, united in purpose, granting me the fulfillment of this utterance. Whether bearing fruit or not, whether adorned with blossoms or without, all these plants—born of Brihaspati—release us from affliction. May they free me from every curse, from the wrath of Varuna, from Yama’s fetters, and from every divine transgression. O plants, whether you fall or stand firm, whether upon the earth or in the sky, whoever partakes of your essence does not perish. Among the hundreds of herbs ruled by Soma, abundant and wise, you are the highest—grant us favorable desires and joy of heart. Those herbs, ruled by Soma and born of Brihaspati, established upon the earth, give their strength to this one. Let none of you be harmed by the digging, O plants, for whom I dig you up; let all bipeds and quadrupeds among us be free from illness. All herbs—those nearby and those far away—gather together and give your strength to this one. The herbs speak together with Soma the king; for whom the Brahman performs this rite, O king, we deliver him. You are the highest among the herbs; your roots are the foundation. Let that foundation be ours, a shield against any who would assail us. O Brihaspati, come to me with your divinity—whether as Mitra, Varuna, Pushan, or with the Adityas, Vasus, Maruts; let Parjanya bring blessings for our offspring. May the swift, wise divine messenger come to me from the gods; turn toward me, favor me, for I offer you radiant speech as a seat. Brihaspati, place radiant, nourishing, and disease-free speech within us, by which we may obtain rain for our offspring, as honeyed drops from heaven descend. May honeyed drops enter us, O Indra, and grant us abundant wealth; sit as the priest in due order, worship the gods, and honor them with offerings. The seer Arṣṭiṣeṇa, wise in divine favor, sat as priest and sent forth the heavenly waters, abundant and rainy, from the upper to the lower ocean. In these oceans, the waters, restrained by the gods, remained; but released by Arṣṭiṣeṇa, sent by the divine messenger, they flowed into the nourishing ones. When Devāpi, chosen as priest for Shantanu, compassionately performed the rites, Brihaspati—renowned among the gods—granted him speech that brings rain. You, Devāpi, shining, O Agni, and Arṣṭiṣeṇa, honored by all the gods, move Parjanya to send forth rain. You, whom ancient sages approached with hymns and whom all invoke at sacrifices—O Rohidasva, much-invoked one—bring thousands of offerings to us; come to our ritual. These ninety-nine offerings, Agni, and nine more, and thousands besides, have been placed for you; with these, grow strong in your form, mighty one, and bring us abundant rain from heaven. These ninety thousand offerings, Agni, send as a share to Indra, the powerful; knowing the proper path, place the divine portion in heaven among the gods. Agni, drive away hostilities, scatter obstacles, ward off evil and demons; from the vast ocean of heaven, send us the abundance of waters and earth. Who, being wise, will make our offering splendid and strengthen the broad-backed, swift horse for increase? Who, at dawn, will fashion the thunderbolt—the slayer of Vritra—with the might of the donor? He, radiant with brilliance and lightning, knows the sacred chant and sits in the wide seat of divinity. With his companions, he overpowers the magic of his brother, the seventh. Circling around the sun, he brings the prize, overcoming obstacles, granting what is far and near, knowing secrets, and destroying the gods hostile to fertility with his power. Youthful, he offers the earth and the cows, moving among the foremost in contests; where the yoked ones are footless and horseless, the trough-born horses draw the butter. Together with the Rudras, he warded off harm, came with the Ribhus, leaving behind the dwelling of death; he revealed the twin forms of the tender one, bringing food and stirring up the hidden. He subdued the powerful Dasa, the lord with sharp teeth and three heads; Trita, strengthened by his might, struck the boar in the waters with the foremost weapon. Upright among men, he raised the weapon for the one who sees clearly; most heroic, Nahusha, born among us, struck the enemy and destroyed the hostile ones. Like a cloud, he brings fodder for our dwelling, knowing the path; when he sits near the moon with his body, the eagle, swift, strikes down the enemies. With his strength, he drove away Shushna for Kutsa, defeated the miserly one; he led the poet, the praiseworthy, and the giver of gifts for himself and for men. Delighting with the noble, he is gracious; powerful among the gods like Varuna, skilled in magic; youthful guardian of order, he measures the unknown and knows all that moves on four feet. With his praises, Rijishva, son of Ushij, shattered the enclosure of Pipru with the bull; when he drank the Soma, he shone with song, advancing to the front in his glorious form. Thus, through the might of the herbs, the blessings of the gods, the wisdom of the priests, and the power of the divine, health, abundance, rain, and victory are granted to those who seek and honor the sacred order.