In the heart of the sacred forest, the divine Lord of the Forest stood radiant, his golden leaves shimmering, surrounded by the gods. With him were the Aśvins and Sarasvatī, all well-fruited and full of sweetness, prepared as honey for Indra. Their vigor and speed, their bull-like strength and shining brilliance, were invoked so that the Lord of the Forest might grant powers to those who possessed wealth and sought its gain. The gods were invited to enjoy these offerings. Upon the altar, the sacred grass was spread, its softness likened to wool, forming a pleasant seat for the gods, the Aśvins, Sarasvatī, and Indra. For the queen and for mastery, this grass bestowed power on the possessor of wealth, aiding the pursuit of prosperity. Again, the gods were called to partake and enjoy. Agni, the divine fire, acted as the maker of proper offerings, worshipping the gods as was fitting. The Hotṛ priests, Indra, the Aśvins, and Sarasvatī joined in, their speech echoing speech, their praise directed to Agni, Soma, Savitṛ, Varuṇa the healer, and the desired Lord of the Forest. The gods who drink clarified butter were honored, and Agni, serving as Hotṛ, placed fame, nourishment, honor, and self-power before the sacrificer, inviting the gods to enjoy. On this day, the sacrificer chose Agni as the Hotṛ, preparing the portions and sacrificial cakes. The goat was bound for the Aśvins, the sheep for Sarasvatī, and the bull for Indra. Sura and Soma were pressed for the Aśvins, Sarasvatī, and Indra, the well-knowing. Now, the divine Lord of the Forest was made ready for offering: a goat for the Aśvins, a ram for Sarasvatī, a bull for Indra. The portions of fat were accepted and cooked well. The gods grasped them, growing strong with sacrificial cakes. The Aśvins, Sarasvatī, Indra, and all the Soma-drinking gods filled the offerings. The Ṛṣa, offspring of Ṛṣis, was chosen by the sacrificer among the many assembled, declaring, “This is my precious wealth among the gods.” The gods were beseeched to grant divine gifts, to instruct and protect. The Hotṛ, inspired by the Guru, was sent forth for auspicious speech, reciting the sacred hymns. Brilliance, pure and immortal, the giver of life, was invoked for protection. The offerings were placed by the impulse of Savitṛ, by the arms of the Aśvins, and by the hands of Pūṣan. The wise assemblies grasped the ancient cord of truth. She, who had become theirs in the pressed Soma, was invited to be the companion of truth, running with Saramā. “You are speech, you are the world, you are the guide, you are the supporter,” the invocation continued. Agni Vaiśvānara was called to spread forth, invoked with svāhā. For the gods and for Prajāpati, the ritual horse was broken and bound for sacrifice, with prayers for prosperity. Whoever wished harm upon the horse would be struck down by Varuṇa, whether mortal or dog. Offerings were made to Agni, Soma, the joy of the waters, Savitṛ, Vāyu, Viṣṇu, Indra, Bṛhaspati, Mitra, and Varuṇa. The ritual honored all aspects of existence: those who make the hiṅkāra sound, those who respond, those who cry and answer, those who bellow and answer, fragrance and the one who smells, those who sit, who sit near, assemble, leap, sit, lie down, sleep, wake, call, awaken, stretch, move, gather, are present, go, and set out. Further, svāhā was offered to those who go, run, drive away, leap up, root and are rooted, sit down, rise, are swift and strong, turn and have turned, shake and are shaken, listen and hear, look and are seen, are observed, blink, eat, drink, urinate, do, and have done. The radiant Savitṛ, the god, was meditated upon, his inspiration sought for the thoughts of all. Savitṛ, with golden hands, was called for prosperity, for he knows the path of the gods. His great understanding and generous bounty were invoked, and his favor, well-praised and knowing of thoughts, was sought. Savitṛ, lord of gifts, was called for abundance and the drink that leads to the gods. All-divine wisdom, drink, and blessing were desired with thought. Agni, immortal and kindled, was awakened with praise, bearing offerings among the gods. As the swift messenger, Agni fulfilled prayers with thought. Placed at the forefront, Agni was called to bring the gods to the sacrifice. The Purifying One was praised for generating the sun, distributing the waters, delighting in the cows, and rejoicing with Purandhi. The horse, mighty by its mother and father, was praised as a steed, charger, swift stallion, leader among men, traveler, and child. The Ādityas and the guardians of the quarters were called to protect this horse, sprinkled for sacrifice. Joy, delight, firmness, and self-firmness were established. Offerings continued: to Kāya, Kasmai, Katamasmai, the one who ascended, Mind, Prajāpati, Consciousness, the Knower, Āditya, the great and gracious Āditya, Sarasvatī in her brightness and vastness, Pūṣan the path-finder and leader, Tvaṣṭṛ the strong and of many forms, Viṣṇu the all-pervading and radiant. May every mortal seek the friendship of the divine leader, strive for wealth, and choose glory for prosperity. May a Brāhmaṇa with Vedic brilliance be born in the Brāhmaṇa lineage; may a heroic, skilled charioteer arise in the royal class; may cows, bulls, swift horses, chariot-driving women, victorious youths, champions in the assembly, and strong sons be born to the sacrificer. May rain fall as desired, plants ripen, and welfare and sustenance be secured. Offerings were made to Prāṇa, Apāna, Vyāna, sight, hearing, speech, and mind. The directions were honored: east, south-east, south, south-west, west, north-west, north, north-east, upward, and downward. The waters were praised: flowing, standing, still, streaming, well waters, spring waters, holding waters, ocean, sea, and river. The wind, smoke, cloud, rain-cloud, flashing one, thunderer, resounding one, the one who rains, ceases to rain, rains fiercely and swiftly, gathers up and is gathered up, sprinkles and drizzles, sprinklers, resounding ones, and mist—all were honored. Agni, Soma, Indra, earth, atmosphere, sky, quarters, intermediate directions, broad earth, and south-western direction received offerings. The stars, lords of the stars, day and night, half-months, months, seasons, seasonal periods, year, heaven and earth, moon, sun, rays, Vasus, Rudras, Ādityas, Maruts, all gods, roots, branches, trees, flowers, fruits, and herbs were honored. Earth, atmosphere, sky, sun, moon, stars, waters, herbs, trees, floating ones, moving and unmoving, and reptiles received offerings. Asu, Vasu, Vibhu, Vivasvat, glory of the hosts, Gaṇapati, Abhibhu, Adhipati, Śūṣa, Saṃsarpa, moon, light, Malimluc, lord of the day—all were honored. Madhava, Mādhava, Śukra, Śuci, Nabhas, Nabhasya, Heṣa, Ūrja, Saha, Sahasya, Tapas, Tapasya, Aṃhaspati received offerings. Vāja, Prasava, Apijā, Kratu, Svaḥ, summit, all-pervading, end, Bhuvana, lord of the world, overlord, and Prajāpati were honored. Sacrifice established life, prāṇa, apāna, vyāna, udāna, samāna, sight, hearing, speech, mind, self, Brahman, light, heaven, back, and sacrifice itself. Finally, offerings were made to the one, the two, the hundred, the one hundred, the dawn, and heaven. Thus, through these sacred acts and invocations, the sacrificer, the gods, and all beings were united in the great ritual, seeking prosperity, protection, wisdom, and the blessings of the divine.