From the One, Virāj was born, and from Virāj emerged the Purusha. Once this Purusha came into being, he expanded, stretching beyond the earth—behind and before—encompassing all. In this vast creation, Heaven and Earth, boundlessly generous and joined together, spread out without limit. To them, we offer our reverence, asking that they stand firm for us and release us from sin. Indra, the mighty one, is praised by poets, men, and singers alike. His beards and steeds are tawny, and he is celebrated by all who honor his strength and generosity. We pray to be united with the radiance of gold, the radiance of cows, and the radiance of truth and sacred utterance—may that brilliance become one with us. Indra, lord of great power and wide vision, grant us might and wisdom, enduring strength, and valor. In battle, let us be victorious over our foes. With strong bulls and calves, the two divine cows rise, bearing all forms. May the vast world and the well-guarded waters be theirs. Agni, purify our lives, grant us swift strength and abundance, and drive far from us those with evil minds. Let the radiant one, the life-giving and delight-bearing lord of sacrifice, drink the great Soma. He, moved by the wind, protects by his own power, nourishes offspring, and shines in many forms. A wondrous form of the gods has arisen—the eye of Mitra, Varuna, and Agni. This eye fills heaven, earth, and the midspace; the sun is the soul of all that moves and stands still. The spotted cow steps forth, settling before her mother and approaching her father, longing for the dawn. Within, he moves, shining, drawing in and sending out breath—the great buffalo who reveals the heavens. In thirty abodes he radiates, and speech is set for the swift-winged one among the luminous beings in every place. As birds fly away, so these rays depart; like stars leaving with the night, they return to the sun, the all-seeing one. His signs are unseen, yet his rays spread among the people, shining like fires. O Sun, you are the swift one, all-seeing, the maker of light, illuminating all the shining realms. You turn back the hosts of gods and men, and all the world turns for the seeing of the sun. With pure vision, O Varuṇa, you behold all people as they move about. O Sun, you rise, measuring the wide expanse of the sky with your rays, observing the births. The sun has yoked seven swift mares, daughters of the chariot; with these, self-yoked, he journeys. Seven bright ones carry you in the chariot, O god Sun, with flaming hair, all-seeing. To the forested mountain, to the great ones, know, O bountiful one, the path of praise; direct the powers, Lord of strength, of those who came before, O much-desiring one. With these blessings and sweet food, the radiant and wise Indra is invoked for strength, never for want. Thus, O Śakra, for wealth and vigor, O wielder of the bolt, most mighty, come, drink, and rejoice, O most generous to men. Know, for wealth, the good heroism; be lord of vigor, master of riches, most generous, and mightiest among the strong. Indra, most generous among the bountiful, shines like the sun and is wise—may he lead us; let us praise him who knows. Śakra is the master of strength; we call upon the unconquered victor to scatter our haters, the great and true. We call upon Indra for wealth, the unconquered victor, to scatter our haters again and again. For your former pressed Soma, O stone-armed one, for exhilaration, place your favor upon us, O gracious one. Fulfillment is praised, most mighty; truly, Śakra, you now accept this new offering. Let us speak of the hero, the slayer of Vṛtra, who moves among men and cows as a gracious friend, without enmity. Now, the five purīṣa-steps: indeed, O Agni; indeed, O Indra; indeed, O Pūṣan; indeed, O gods. Om, indeed, O gods. Thus are the five purīṣa-steps, and the first half of the first uttara: Asita, Kāśyapa, or Devala. Gāyatrī. Soma, the purifier. O men, sing to the purifier, to Indu; the gods approach him. The Atharvāṇas have come to you with sweet milk, O god, for the divine one. Bring welfare to the cow, the people, the charioteer, the king, and the plants—purify for us. Kaśyapa, son of Marīci. Gāyatrī. Soma, the purifier. With flashing brilliance and resounding light, the bright Somas, the cow-headed ones, flow. Urged by the priests, the invigorator advances to the prize, like victorious men taking their seats. May Soma, having prospered, come together for our well-being, O wise one; purify yourself for the vision of the sun. A hundred Vaikhānasa-sages, Gāyatrī, Soma, the purifier. For you, O sage, the streams of the invigorator have flowed forth, like swift horses seeking fame. To the vessel flowing with honey, to the imperishable water, the hymns have hastened. Like cows to their stable, the drops have gone to the ocean; they have reached the womb of truth. Bharadvāja, son of Bṛhaspati. Gāyatrī. Agni. O Agni, come for the offering, praised, to receive the oblation; be seated as the Hotṛ on the sacred grass.