The sage, purified by his inner powers, moves among the works of the world, seeking to attain the radiant realm of light. Like a king seated among his people, he becomes a purifying force, overcoming all obstacles as the wise encourage him onward. This beloved golden presence dwells deep within the forests, encircled by ever-flowing streams; his mighty roar is praised by the mind. He journeys with the wind, with Indra, and the Ashvins, accompanied by the ecstasy of Soma, ever upholding his own law. To Mitra, Varuna, and Bhaga, the honeyed waves of offering flow, arranged and empowered by his will. May the two worlds—earth and heaven—grant us wealth, sweetness, strength to win, lasting fame, and abundant treasures. To you, O Fire, source of delight and wisdom, we choose you today as our protector, far-reaching and sheltering. Gentle, worthy, wise, and thoughtful one, you are our chosen guardian. Giver of wealth, counselor in noble deeds, we seek your shelter and protection. The gods themselves brought forth Agni, the universal one, born from the head of heaven and the support of the earth—a sage, a sovereign, the ever-present guest of humankind, and the vessel of all offerings. All the immortal gods delight in you, newborn Agni, as in a radiant child; by your powers, O universal one, they attained immortality when you shone forth between your two parents. The gods generated you, the navel of sacrifice, the seat of riches, the great and mighty charioteer of rites, the sign of every holy act. Let us sing to Mitra and Varuna with inspired song, honoring their vast and splendid rule. These two sovereigns, whose origin is in ghee, are praised as divine among divinities by all the gods. May your power, great upon earth and in the heavens, be strong for us; great indeed is your rule among the gods. Indra, come to us with your shining light! These pressed drinks are purified for you by our hands, prepared in small measures. Come, inspired by our prayers, accompanied by the wise, to the Soma pressed for you, to the hymns of your singers. Eagerly, O tawny Indra, come to our hymns; place our pressed Soma for our benefit. Praise him whose flame embraces all things, who with his tongue makes the dark things bright. He who, when kindled, calls for Indra’s favor, finds abundant waters and glory. May those swift, prize-bringing gifts carry us and our horses safely on our journey, O Indra and Agni. The Soma drop hastens to Indra’s dwelling; just as a friend does not abandon a friend, as a youth delights in maidens, so Soma rushes in the vessel along a hundredfold path. Your delightful, skillful, praiseworthy thoughts have advanced in the gatherings; they have sought the tawny one at play, and the hymns have surrounded him as cows gather around milk. O Soma, come to us, flowing with nourishing essence; pour forth, purified, in waves. May that which is drawn for us three times daily bring fertile land, wealth, honeyed strength, and heroic power. No act is wasted nor does it perish; every deed is fruitful, mighty, and unassailable, like Indra through his sacrifices. He is firm, fierce, victorious in battles, in whom great powers are set free. When he is born, the cows gather, and heaven and earth unite without obstruction. Friends, sit down for the purification; sing forth! Like a child adorned by sacrifice, surround him for glory. Release him, like a calf to its mothers, for the attainment of life. In divine intoxication, let him be praised among the twice-born. Purify that which accomplishes skill, as for the band, for prosperity; as for Mitra and Varuna, for peace. The mighty one, with a thousand streams, flows through the filter, ever fresh and pure, adorned with cows, shining forth, cleansed with waters. O Soma, go forth to Indra’s belly, pressed by men with stones, prepared for drinking. Those Somas pressed in distant lands, those pressed here, and those in the land of chariots; those in the Arjika rituals, those in the midst of dwellings, and those among the five peoples—may all these divine Somas pour down rain for us, bringing heroic strength. To you, O calf, the mind ascends from the highest abode; Agni, I seek you with my song. For you are harmonious everywhere, master of all directions; in battles, we call upon you. In contests, we seek your help, Agni, who grants splendid gifts and victory. Indra, bring us strength and heroism, O mighty and wise one, victorious in battle; grant us a warrior who conquers in war. You are our father, O lord; you are our mother, O mighty one. Therefore, we seek your favor. To you, powerful, much-invoked, victorious one, I speak—grant us heroic strength!