May the sweet, honeyed drops of blessing descend upon us, we pray, as Indra is invoked to grant abundant wealth. Let him be seated as the priest in the proper order, offering worship to the gods and honoring them with the sacred offerings. In ancient times, the wise seer Arṣṭiṣeṇa assumed the priestly seat, his mind attuned to divine favor. Through his sacred actions, he sent forth the heavenly waters, abundant and life-giving, from the upper ocean to the lower, releasing the rains to nourish the earth. These waters, once held back by the gods, remained contained in the vast oceans above and below. But when Arṣṭiṣeṇa, prompted by the divine messenger, released them, they flowed forth freely, entering the nourishing streams that sustain all life. In another age, Devāpi, chosen as priest for King Shantanu, performed the rites with compassion and devotion. Pleased by his worship, Brihaspati, renowned among the gods, bestowed upon him the power of speech that brings the rains. O Agni, radiant Devāpi, and Arṣṭiṣeṇa, the human priest honored by all the gods—move Parjanya, the rain-bringer, to shower us with life-giving rain. You, whom the ancient sages approached with hymns, whom all invoke at the sacrifices—Rohidasva, much-invoked one—may you bring thousands of offerings to our ritual, come to our sacred assembly. For you, Agni, ninety-nine offerings and nine more have been prepared, and thousands besides. With these, grow strong in your mighty form, and bring us abundant rain from heaven. These ninety thousand offerings, Agni, send as a share to Indra, the powerful, and, knowing the proper path, place the divine portion among the gods in heaven. Agni, drive away all hostilities, scatter every obstacle, ward off evil and the demons. From the vast ocean of heaven, send down to us the abundance of waters and the riches of the earth. Who among the wise will make our offering splendid, will strengthen the broad-backed, swift horse for increase? Who, at dawn, will fashion the thunderbolt, the slayer of Vritra, with the might of the generous donor? He, radiant with brilliance and lightning, knows the sacred chant and dwells in the wide seat of divinity. With his companions, he overcomes the magic of his brother, the seventh. He brings the prize, overcoming obstacles as he circles the sun, granting both what is far and what is near, knowing all secrets, and destroying those gods who are hostile to fertility. 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 out the butter. Together with the Rudras, he wards off harm; he comes with the Ribhus, leaving behind the dwelling of death. He reveals the twin forms of the tender one, bringing food and stirring up what is hidden. He subdued the powerful Dasa, the three-headed, sharp-toothed lord. Trita, strengthened by his might, struck the boar in the waters with the foremost weapon. Among men, he stands upright, raising the weapon for the one who sees clearly. Most heroic, Nahusha, born among us, struck down the enemy and destroyed the hostile ones. Like a cloud, he brings fodder for our dwellings, knowing the path. When he sits near the moon, his body shining, the swift eagle strikes down the enemies. With his strength, he drove away Shushna for Kutsa and defeated the miserly one. He led the poet, the praiseworthy, and the one who brings gifts, as well as men. Delighting with the noble, he is gracious; powerful among the gods, like Varuna, skilled in magic. This youthful guardian of order measures the unknown and knows what moves on four feet. When praised by Rijishva, son of Ushij, he shattered the enclosure of Pipru with the bull. Drinking the Soma, he shone with song, advancing to the front in his splendid form. Thus, O mighty Asura, for greatness, the tender one approaches Indra, advancing to bring us well-being, strength, nourishment, and all prosperity. Indra, make our wealth firm; praised here, drink the Soma for our increase. May Savitar, together with the gods, protect us. We choose Aditi, the mother who grants all-surpassing blessings. Bring the portion for the bearer, offer it for the priest, let it go to Vayu, pure, for the cry of worship. He who has tasted the milk of the cow—we choose Aditi, who grants all-surpassing blessings. May Savitar inspire us, guiding the sacrificer who presses the soma along the straight path. As we adorn the gods like ripe fruit, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. May Indra be gracious to us, King Soma grant us prosperity. As Mitra and Dhiti unite their powers, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. Indra, with praise and might, spreads protection; Brihaspati prolongs our lives. Sacrifice, Manu, and wise counsel—our fathers—indeed, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. The divine strength of Indra’s good deeds, Agni in the house, the wise poet, and sacrifice, beautiful in the assembly—all these, thus, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. We have not done much evil in secret, nor committed acts hateful to the gods, O Vasus. Let not the gods reject us for falsehood; thus, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. May Savitar drive away disease and misfortune; let the waters repel what is harmful. Where the stone calls forth sweet soma, there we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. Let the stone rise upright, O Vasus, in the pressing; may it drive away all hatred and enmity. May Savitar, the god, be our praised guardian; thus, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. Let the cows drink rich grass and nourishment, those who dwell in the abode and vessel of truth. Let healing be for our bodies as for the body itself; thus, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. May the singer be endowed with enduring strength; may Indra’s favor and wise counsel be for those who press soma, whose heavenly vessel is full of libations. Thus, we choose the all-surpassing Aditi. Your brilliance is splendid, your strength brings fulfillment; there are helpers, swift and unassailable. With the best chariot, the praise of cattle, the singer circles the offering, seeking favor. Awaken, friends, with one mind! Kindle the fire, all gathered together. I call for help upon Dadhikrā, Agni, Ushas the goddess, and Indra. Let your thoughts be pleasant and extended; prepare the boat that crosses without harm. Prepare the channel, make ready the implements; friends, lead the sacrifice forward. Yoke the ploughs, stretch out the yokes; in the prepared furrow, sow the seed. Let the workers be ready with voice and effort; let the nearest field yield ripe produce. The poets yoke the ploughs, stretching out the yokes separately, the wise moving with favor toward the gods. Make the furrow, lay the yoke together; let us pour water into the channel, a well-watered, unbroken stream. Prepare the channel, water it well, make it fertile; pour into the furrow an unbroken stream. Feed the horses, win the prize; make the chariot that brings good fortune. Prepare the furrow, the stone wheel, fill the vessel, and pour for the leaders. Thus, in reverence and unity, the people perform the sacred rites, seeking the blessings of the gods, the abundance of rain, the flourishing of crops, and the well-being of all creation.