In reverent preparation for the sacred rite, honey is brought forth to delight the gods. Naraśaṃsa and Agni, radiant in the fire, are invoked; Savitar, well-worshipped and generous, is pleased by these offerings. Anointed with ghee and praised with respectful hymns, Agni moves with strength towards the shade, his presence glowing at the heart of the sacrifice. Those who honor Agni may partake in his greatness, for he is the most delightful, bestower of excellent gifts, and ever-active in granting wealth. All divine doors attend upon him, and the vows of the ritual are established for Agni, who spreads his domain wide and rules with authority. Two divine maidens, Uṣas and Naktā, guardians of dawn and night, are called to protect the sacrifice, watching over the ritual as mothers would over their offspring. The two divine Hotṛs are invoked to raise up the offering and praise Agni’s tongue, ensuring the oblation is placed with precision. Upon the sacred grass, the three goddesses—Iḍā, Sarasvatī, and Bhāratī—are invited to sit, honored and praised for their greatness. Tvaṣṭṛ, wondrous and skilled in many ways, is beseeched to grant extraordinary strength, abundance, and prosperity to those assembled. The Lord of the forest rejoices among the gods, and Agni, the appeaser, prepares the offering with joy. The invocation is made: “Agni, Svāhā! Jātavedas, carry our offering to Indra; may all the gods accept this oblation.” Agni, wise and radiant, moves with the hosts, adorned in splendor. United in mind, the men stand for Vāyu, accomplishing noble deeds. For wealth, the two worlds have given birth to him; for wealth, Dhiṣaṇā grants to the god. The hosts accompany Vāyu, and radiant Vasudhiti shines forth. When the mighty waters, bearing all, hold the embryo and give birth to Agni, from them arises the one lord of the gods. The question arises: to which god shall we offer our oblation? Who among the gods was the one above all others, holding skill and giving birth to sacrifice? To which god shall we offer? By whom do you go to the worshipper, accompanied by hosts, for Vāyu’s delight in the home? Grant us wealth that is easy to enjoy, heroic sons, cattle, horses, and gifts. Vāyu, come to us with your hosts—hundreds and thousands—to the sacrifice, approach the offering, rejoice in this pressing, and always protect us with blessings. Vāyu, radiant one, accompanied by hosts, is approached by those who press Soma. He is invited to enter the house and partake of the sweet drink, being foremost among those who dwell in heaven. Vāyu, leader pleased by sacrifice, attends the offering with auspicious hosts. Vāyu’s thousand chariots are called forth, accompanied by hosts, for the drinking of Soma. With one, with ten, with two, with twenty, with three, and with thirty hosts, Vāyu is asked to release his blessings here. The favors of Vāyu, Lord of the wind and wondrous son-in-law of Tvaṣṭṛ, are chosen. Indra, the hero, is praised as cows praise their unmilked calf; he is lord of both the moving and the steadfast worlds, shining in heaven. None other, celestial or earthly, born or to be born, is like Indra. He is called upon for horses, cattle, and wealth. Indra, giver of strength, is invoked by singers, lord among the slayers, called in the woods and among the horses. Mighty, with dazzling thunderbolt in hand, courageous and praised, he is the stone-breaker. Indra is beseeched to scatter cow, horse, chariot, and wealth for the devotees, so that none may defeat them. By what power did Indra become wondrous, ever-strengthening, and a friend? By what potent aid was he chosen? Among the true ones, who is most exhilarated by the draughts, who delights in the pressed soma? Even firm treasures he unlocks. Indra is asked to be a protector among friends for the singers, a hundredfold aid. Sacrifice after sacrifice is offered to Agni, voice after voice for skill, praising the immortal Jātavedas as one praises a beloved companion. Agni is invoked to guard with one, with a second, with threefold words, and with four, as giver of wealth and strength. To the Offspring of Strength, the bringer, offerings are made with devotion, seeking his protection in contests, his increase, and his salvation. The year, the cycle, the half-year, the season, the month, the fortnight, the day and night, and the dawns—all are prepared for the divine. The year is prepared, and having departed and returned, all move together. Even the Suparṇa is invoked, with the divine power of the Angiras, to take a firm seat. Now, at the place of Iḍā, at the navel of earth, the Hotṛ invokes Samidha-Indra. Indra blazes up from the expanse of heaven, mighty and victorious among peoples. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. Tanūnapāt, unconquered victor with his powers, is invoked. Indra, who knows the light and walks sweetest paths with the strength of men, is called. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. Indra, praised by Iḍā, immortal and mighty among gods, wielder of the thunderbolt and destroyer of cities, is invoked with the ladle. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. Indra is called to the sacred grass, to his seat as the bull among men. With Vasus, Rudras, and Ādityas, well-yoked, Indra is asked to sit on the sacred grass. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. The vigor, strength, might, and doors that have strengthened Indra are invoked. The well-guided doors, grown with truth, are asked to open wide in this sacrifice for gracious Indra. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. The nourishing cows of Indra, the two great mothers, ever-yielding, are invoked. Like swift winds, may they nourish Indra as a calf. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. Finally, the divine Hotṛs, the healers and friends, are invoked with offering to heal Indra. The wise gods, prudent and strong, grant strength to Indra. The Hotṛ offers clarified butter. Thus, the sacred ritual unfolds, invoking and honoring the great gods, seeking their blessings, strength, and protection for all who participate.