The Soma juices, radiant and pure, were prepared for the worshippers—flawless, self-sustaining drops, friendly and wise, who knew the path and the light. These Somas, purified and full of wisdom, bore the sacred head with heroic splendor, steadfast and victorious, shining amidst clarified butter. Pressed well by the stones, the Soma flowed across the shining hide of the cow, marked by its brilliance. From all sides, these streams brought nourishment and sought out wealth for those who honored them. Through the act of purification, the Soma was invoked to flow into abundance, to enter the lake and rush forth in streams, unhindered by the wind, guided by the thoughtful and wise. Again, by this sacred cleansing, Soma was urged toward the renowned place of fame, to shake out countless treasures—sixty thousand riches, like a laden tree, ready for the contest. His name, mighty as a bull, resounded in the pressing—whether in flesh, filter, or vessel. Hidden, yet powerful, Soma lulled to rest, moistened, drove away the unfriendly, and removed the senseless. To Agni, the nearest and dearest, the protector, the people turned, seeking his auspicious shelter and refuge. Agni, famed as the treasure of wealth, was invoked to come forth in radiance and grant abundant riches. To him, the most brilliant and shining one, the people sought favor for themselves and their friends. May Indra and all the gods be present in these worlds, seated among the worshippers. May Indra, together with the Ādityas, uphold the sacrifice, the bodies, and the offspring. May Indra, with the Ādityas and the Maruts, grant remedies and healing. A song was raised to Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, the inspired one, delighting in the hymn. The Maruts, radiant and youthful, joined in praise of Indra, famed among the gods. With sweetness, the worshippers approached Indra, longing for wealth and insight. Like Ushanas, who proclaimed wisdom, the god revealed the origins of the divine. The great-vowed, pure-banded, shining one—the boar—emerged, roaring as he strode forth. The swans, in threefold measure, went out with the powerful troop of bulls, and friends spoke together of the purifying, unconquerable, roaring one. He joined the course of the widely gloried one; the cows could not measure his playful wanderings. The sharp-horned, golden one circled—seen by day, cleansed by night. The resounding ones, swift as chariots, advanced as helpers, and the Somas reached out for wealth. Like chariots, urged and established in the hands, they bore their gifts like skilled artisans. The Somas, adorned like kings with cows and praises, were set in the sacrifice, arranged by seven. The resounding drops, full of delight, flowed with strength and song, streaming honey in their course. Those who drank the light awakened the wealth of dawn, and the strong spread abundance far and wide. The ancient doors of thought, active and swift, opened with the bull’s energy. The seven-born priests, united in purpose, sought the one path, desiring the single track. Just as the navel is set in the navel, so was it placed for the sun’s sight, drawing forth the offspring of the sage. To the beloved seat of heaven, hidden by the priests, the sun gazed with his eye. The drops flowed out on the path of truth, splendid in form, their arrangements yoked to the divine will. The foremost stream of honey, great and all-pervading, filled the waters; the offering was praised among all offerings. The bull, foremost in speech, bellowed in the yoked forest, and the true sacrifice found its home in the dwellings. When the sage, purified by his powers, moved among the works, he sought to win the world of light. The purifying one, like a king, sat among the peoples, overcoming foes as the wise urged him on. The dear golden one sat in the forests, surrounded by unfailing streams, praised by thought. He moved with the wind, Indra, and the Ashvins, in intoxication, striving with his own law. To Mitra, Varuna, and Bhaga, the honeyed waves flowed, arranged and empowered by the divine. May the two worlds grant wealth, sweetness, strength for victory, fame, and gathered treasures. To Agni, the source of delight and wisdom, the people chose their protector—far-reaching and sheltering. To the gentle, worthy, wise, and thoughtful one, they again chose a guardian. To the giver of wealth, of good counsel and noble deeds, they offered their devotion. The gods generated Agni, the universal, born from the head of heaven and the support of earth, the sage, the sovereign, the ever-near guest and vessel of offerings. All the immortal gods rejoiced in Agni, newborn like a child; by his powers, they attained immortality when he shone forth between his two parents.