Gathered in reverence, the worshippers invoke Agni, the mighty fire, to be their friend, to sit among them on the sacred grass, his radiant flame shining brightly in the company of the gods. They call upon his powers to rise, to break apart the demons, to drive away all who oppose them, for Agni, the stone-splitter, has struck down enemies at the meeting of chariots and at the contest for prizes. With fearless heart, he has protected them, and none can withstand the laws of this ever-flowing one. In battle, Agni breaks apart those who challenge him. The worshippers urge on the exhilarating, golden Soma, the swift horse among the rivers, the drop full of desire for Indra. Indra is called to come, riding his splendid horses adorned with peacock feathers, unhindered by any binders, arriving with the sure aim of an archer. Indra, destroyer of Vṛtra, breaks enclosures and shatters strongholds, born of water, charioteer of bay steeds, breaking even the firmest barriers. Indra fosters deep resolve like the ocean, grants rich pastures as cows do, and gathers abundance as rivers flow to a lake. Like a thirsty bull coming to water without turning away, Indra is invited to join the Kanvas, to drink with them, to be with their ancestors and themselves. The pressed Somas are offered to delight generous Indra, who drank the best Soma in the bowl and took strength. Among gods of great might, Indra alone is praised; he is the helper of mortals, and the worshippers speak these words to him. They pray that Indra’s gifts and aid never fail or diminish, asking him to measure out all human treasures for the peoples. Then, the shining daughter of heaven, the Dawn, is seen rising and spreading, the sun’s sister. Like a bright red horse, the mother of cows rich in milk, Dawn becomes the friend of the Aśvins, the divine twin horsemen. She is their friend, the mother of cows, and the mistress of wealth. A new Dawn shines forth, beloved of heaven, and the worshippers praise the great Aśvins for their beauty. The wondrous Aśvins, mothers of the river, bestowers of wealth, wise gods, knowers of riches through intelligence, are celebrated. Their praises resound across the broad earth, and their chariot is called to come with abundance. Dawn is asked to bring splendid wealth, endowed with swift horses, to sustain offspring and descendants. She is welcomed to the place rich in cattle and horses, to shine forth, bestowing glory and truthfulness. The worshippers ask Dawn to yoke her red horses to her strong chariot and bring all blessings. The Aśvins are invited to bring near their chariot filled with cows and gold, wondrous ones united in mind, for the journey ahead. The gods, bringers of delight, wondrous ones with golden wheels, are called to come swiftly to the pressing of Soma. The Aśvins, who made song and light for people from the sky, are asked to bring nourishment. Agni is considered the treasure to whom cows and swift horses come, always bringing strength and nourishment to the worshippers. Agni, friend of all people, gives strength to the tribe, goes to wealth that is self-created, and brings nourishment to the worshippers. The worshippers praise Agni as the treasure, to whom cows and swift, well-born horses gather, asking him to bring them nourishment. Dawn is called to awaken them to great wealth as she has before—in truthfulness, noble birth, horses, and fair speech. The daughter of the sky, who arises with good guidance and a shining chariot, is asked to arise with strength, truthfulness, noble birth, horses, and fair speech. May she, gracious and radiant, arise for them today, bestowing all these blessings. The most beloved chariot, the bull, the bringer of wealth, is adorned by the worshippers with hymns, and the Aśvins are asked to listen to their sweet invocation. The Aśvins are called to come swiftly, crossing all obstacles, wondrous ones with golden wheels, river-borne, listening to the invocation. Bearing treasures, the Aśvins, called Rudras with golden wheels, are asked to accept gifts of strength and listen to the sweet invocation. Agni awakens among people with the kindling, like a cow stretching forth to her calf. The Dawns, like strong young women, rise up, their rays streaming toward the sky. The priest awakens for the worship of the gods; upright Agni stands at dawn with goodwill, his shining power seen, the great god released from darkness. When Agni loosens the strap of the group, adorned with pure cows, the offering is joined with the right, the victorious one upright, taking the ladles. The most excellent light, the light of lights, has arisen; the wondrous, far-seeing one is born in manifold ways, as offspring from the impelling of the Sun. Thus, night and dawn have entered the same womb. The bright calves, the shining one, come with the white; the black one enters her own abodes. Sharing the same kin, the immortal and mortal move, Heaven and Earth displaying their colors. The path of the sisters, night and dawn, is the same, unending; they move by divine ordinance, never clashing nor standing still, of one mind but different forms. Agni shines forth with the face of dawn; the words of the inspired, devoted to the gods, arise. Now, the Aśvins are called to come on their chariot, bringing the warm libation, as the worshippers gather in praise and devotion.