The Somas, praised for their great strength, began to flow forth in streams of exhilarating power. Purified and mighty, the Soma flowed with vigor, circling ever victorious, seeking to win cattle and bestow prosperity. In this sacred moment, the singer raised his voice, calling upon all to join him in hymn and praise, together with Jamadagni, honoring the flowing streams of Soma. With devotion, a song was offered to the worthy Jātavedas, Agni, uniting their thoughts as one would yoke horses to a chariot. The assembly felt blessed, and they prayed that in the friendship of Agni, no harm would come to them. They brought fuel and prepared the offerings, arranging them at each sacred time, asking Agni to guide their thoughts safely across the river of life, protecting them from harm. The people prayed for the skill to kindle Agni well, so that through him, the gods would accept their oblations. They called upon Agni to bring the Ādityas to their sacrifice, their voices united in hope that his friendship would shield them from adversity. At sunrise, the people offered praise to the radiant Sun, to Mitra, Varuṇa, and Aryaman, the beneficent guardians of order and truth. Their thoughts shone like gold, dedicated to the mighty and wise, seeking insight and strength without injury. In humble prayer, they asked to belong to Varuṇa and Mitra, to be counted among the wise and to receive nourishment and well-being. They entreated the gods to break apart all hatreds, drive away obstacles, and strike down their foes, bestowing upon them the wealth they desired. They remembered that the gods had granted gifts to all humankind, and they prayed to receive a share of that desirable wealth. Whatever treasures lay hidden in lairs, strongholds, or within rocks, they called upon Indra to bring them forth. Indra and Agni, ever victorious in sacrifice and deed, were invoked as priests of the ritual, swift as thought and chariot-borne, slayers of Vṛtra, undefeated. The exhilarating draught, pressed with stones, was poured out for them, as the people invited Indra and Agni to partake. Soma, the sweetest, was bid to flow for Indra and the Maruts, finding its place in the womb of the chant. The wise, skilled in word and ritual, purified the mighty Soma, cleansing it with pressing stones. Mitra, Aryaman, and Varuṇa were invited to drink the essence of Soma, as were the Maruts, partaking of the flowing, life-bestowing juice. Purified and with good hands, Soma sought out speech in the ocean, rushing toward abundant and much-desired wealth. As a roaring bull, Soma purified himself in the unaging, lovely wood, adorned with cows, flowing forth to the seat of the gods. The tenfold Soma was cleansed, the offspring of the river, proclaimed by the rays of the sun. Pressed Soma, united with Indra and Vāyu, passed through the filter, glowing with the sun’s rays. It flowed for blessing, for Vāyu and Pūṣan, for Mitra and Varuṇa, sweet and lovely for all. Their gatherings with Indra were prayed to be rich in wealth and abundance, bringing joy and nourishment. They called upon the mighty one to come, yoked by his own power, swift as a chariot wheel, to fulfill the desires of the singers. Whenever their wishes were granted, it was as if a chariot rolled swiftly with divine power. For the sake of good form and beauty, Soma was offered as one milks a cow that gives sweet milk, shining in the heavens. The drinker of Soma was invited to the libations, to drink deeply, for the joy of the generous is found in the giving of cows. They prayed to know the limit of the gods’ good graces, asking that the gods remain close and not go beyond them. When Indra filled both heaven and earth, like the dawns, he was hailed as the great king of the mighty, the lord of peoples, born of the divine and blessed mother. Indra, bearing a long goad for guidance, was invoked as the wise and generous leader, whom they wished to follow, as Yama did, along the path of the ancestors. The divine mother, the blessed mother, had given birth to him. They asked Indra to remove from them the malice of mortals, to humble those who attacked them, casting down their enemies beneath their feet, for Indra was born of the divine mother. The resounding Soma, pressed on the mountain, flowed through the filter, pervading all with exhilaration. He was the inspired sage, sweet-born of the pressing, filling all things with joy. All the gods together drank of this divine draught, sharing in the exhilarating essence. Soma, the bringer of wealth and leader of riches, the lord of good dwellings, was pressed and offered. Indra, the Maruts, and Bhaga drank of him, and through him, the people acted with Mitra and Varuṇa, seeking Indra’s great help. The singers raised their voices for their friend, the purified one, delighting him with offerings as one would a child with praise. Like a calf with its mothers, the Soma drop was impelled and pressed forth, adorned by thoughts, made ready for the gods. Thus, the pressed Soma was prepared for skill, for strength, for delight, rich in sweetness and offered to the gods, fulfilling the sacred rites and bringing joy to all who partook.