In the ancient times, there was one radiant with brilliance and lightning, who knew the sacred chant and had settled in the vast seat of divinity. With his companions, he overcame the magic of his brother, the seventh, displaying his supremacy. Circling around the sun, he brought forth the prize, overcoming every obstacle in his path. He granted both what was near and what was far, understanding all secrets, and with his power, destroyed those gods who were hostile to fertility. Ever youthful, he offered the earth and the cows and moved among the foremost in contests. In realms where the yoked ones had neither feet nor horses, trough-born horses drew forth the butter, nourishing all. Together with the Rudras, he warded off harm and journeyed with the Ribhus, leaving behind the dwelling of death. It was he who revealed the twin forms of the tender one, bringing food and stirring up what was hidden. He subdued the mighty Dasa, a lord with sharp teeth and three heads. Trita, strengthened by his might, struck the boar in the waters with the foremost weapon, demonstrating their combined prowess. Among men, he stood upright, raising his weapon for the one who sees clearly; the most heroic Nahusha, born among us, struck down the enemy and destroyed the hostile ones. Like a cloud, he brought fodder to our dwelling, knowing the path. When he sat near the moon with his body, the swift eagle struck 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 brought gifts for him and for men. Delighting in the company of the noble, he was gracious, powerful among the gods like Varuna, skilled in magic. This youthful guardian of order measured the unknown and knew all that moved 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 with his form. Thus, O mighty Asura, for greatness, the tender one approached Indra with his feet. Advancing, he brought us well-being, strength, nourishment, and all prosperity. In those days, the people prayed: “Indra, make firm our wealth; praised here, drink the Soma for our increase. May Savitar, together with the gods, protect us. We choose Aditi, who grants all-surpassing blessings.” They brought the portion for the bearer, offered it for the priest, and let it go to Vayu, pure, with the cry of worship. Having tasted the milk of the cow, again they chose Aditi, who bestows blessings beyond compare. They invoked Savitar to inspire them, guiding the sacrificer who presses the soma along the straight path. As they adorned the gods like ripe fruit, again they chose Aditi, the all-surpassing. May Indra be gracious, may king Soma grant prosperity. As Mitra and Dhiti unite their powers, they chose Aditi, the source of all blessings. Indra, with praise and might, spread protection; Brihaspati prolonged life. Sacrifice, Manu, and wise counsel—their fathers—guided them, and they chose Aditi. The divine strength of Indra’s good deeds, Agni in the house, the wise poet, and the beautiful sacrifice in the assembly—all these led them to choose Aditi. They declared, “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 Aditi.” May Savitar drive away disease and misfortune; may the waters repel what is harmful. Where the stone calls forth sweet soma, there they chose Aditi. Let the stone rise upright, O Vasus, in the pressing; may it drive away hatred and enmity. May Savitar be their praised guardian; thus they chose Aditi. Let the cows drink rich grass and nourishment, dwelling in the abode and vessel of truth. Let healing be for their bodies as for the body itself; thus they chose 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 they chose Aditi. Her brilliance was splendid, her strength brought fulfillment, with helpers swift and unassailable. With the best chariot, the praise of cattle, the singer circled the offering, seeking favor. Then, the people gathered and called to one another: “Awaken, friends, with one mind; kindle the fire, many gathered together. We call for help upon Dadhikrā, Agni, Ushas the goddess, and Indra.” They made their thoughts pleasant, extended them, prepared the boat that crosses without harm, readied the channel, and made ready the implements, leading the sacrifice forward. They yoked the ploughs, stretched out the yokes, and sowed the seed in the prepared furrow. With voice and effort, the workers readied themselves, hoping the nearest field would yield ripe produce. The poets yoked the ploughs, stretched out the yokes separately; the wise, with favor, turned toward the gods. They made the furrow, laid the yoke together, poured water into the channel, a well-watered, unbroken stream. They prepared the channel, watered it well, made it fertile, pouring into the furrow an unbroken stream. They fed the horses, sought the prize, made the chariot that brings good fortune, prepared the furrow, the stone wheel, filled the vessel, and poured for the leaders. They made the enclosure for their leaders, sewed the armor broad and thick, made the fort of iron, unassailable, and prayed that their well-formed vessel would not be broken by the enemy. To the gods, they turned their sacred thought for help, worshipping the divine goddess, hoping she would yield abundance for their sustenance, like a cow with a thousand streams of milk. They poured the golden-hued offering into the vessel, shaped it with axes and tools of stone, embraced it with ten bands, yoked both yokes, and set the fire in its place. The fire, drinking from both yokes, moved within as a double-born being, as if in the womb. They set the wooden post in the wood, placed it down, and hollowed out the well. Calling to one another, they raised the well-known, renowned one, urged on, and dug for the prize of strength. The one with the staff set the child in motion, and they called Indra to drink Soma with the assembly. In the contests and battles that followed, Indra guarded their well-matched chariot with his might. In the battle for fame and wealth, he protected them. The wind blew forth, his garment upon the chariot, when he won a thousand. Mudgalānī became a charioteer in the contest for cattle; Indra’s host scattered the enemy in battle. Indra held back the weapon of those who sought to harm, whether Dāsa or Arya, destroying the enemy’s weapon. He drank the water of the deep pool, roaring, broke the stronghold, and overcame the foe. Desiring fame, he bore the heavy load with his swift arms, striving for victory. They came, bellowing, surrounding him, urinating like a bull in the midst of the herd. With that strength, Mudgala won in battle, claiming a hundred, a thousand cattle in the contest. Thus, through divine brilliance, sacrifice, and unity, the people flourished, protected by the gods, nourished by the earth, and victorious in their endeavors.