In the sacred ritual, the two oxen are yoked to the ceremonial cart, their spirits uplifted by sacred knowledge, unwearied and without tears. Guided by the blessings of the rite, they journey to the house of the sacrificer, bringing well-being with every step. The Lord of Speech is invoked with reverence—auspicious and radiant, moving forth to all abodes. May none who encircle or obstruct him, nor wolves or evildoers, recognize his presence. He is urged to take flight like a hawk, soaring to the sacrificer’s house, marking the fulfillment of the ritual. Homage is offered to the eye of Mitra and Varuṇa, to the great god whose truth is worshipped. The far-seeing, god-born sign—the son of heaven, Sūrya—is praised for his brilliance and divine vision. The support and foundation of Varuṇa are established, forming the seat of truth. The sacrificer is urged to sit in this seat, honoring Varuṇa’s truth and upholding righteousness. All the abodes worshipped with oblations are called to encompass Soma, the broad-backed, strong, and steadfast one. Soma is invoked to traverse difficult places, destroying the weak and granting passage through challenges. The ritual continues, consecrating offerings as the body of Agni for Viṣṇu, the body of Soma for Viṣṇu, and the hospitality for the guest for Viṣṇu. The eagle, bearer of Soma, is appointed for Viṣṇu, as is Agni for the increase of wealth. The origin of Agni is acknowledged, along with the two vigorous ones, Urvaśī, life, and Purūravas. The Gāyatrī, Triṣṭubh, and Jagatī metres are used to churn and energize the offerings, invoking the divine rhythms of creation. A prayer is made for unity and purity of mind—may both aspects of Agni be conscious and unstained, causing no harm to the sacrifice or its lord, Jātavedas. May auspiciousness bless the ritual today. Within Agni, another Agni moves, the son of seers and protector from curses. May he be gentle, well-invoked, and carry the oblation flawlessly to the gods. Svāhā. The offerings are taken for approach, for surrounding, for the guardian of the body, for Śākvara, for the most powerful. Invincible and unconquered among the gods, the strength and protector from curses is invoked, seeking the true path and requesting not to be placed among the pale ones. Agni is hailed as the guardian of vows. The unity between the sacrificer and Agni is affirmed: “This body of yours is mine, and this body of mine is yours.” Together, they follow the vows, and the lords of consecration and austerity are called to acknowledge the sacrificer’s dedication. The divine Soma is prayed to increase for Indra, the sole possessor of wealth. May Indra and Soma mutually strengthen each other, and may they increase the sacrificer and his companions in wisdom and well-being. Soma is requested to be sweet in the pressing, and desired wealth is sought for distribution, good fortune, and truth, especially for those who speak truth. Homage to Heaven and Earth. Three bodies of Agni are invoked: the one in iron, the one in the atmosphere, and the one in gold. For each, the prayer is to drive away fierce and sharp speech. Svāhā. Agni is recognized as heated and known, requested to protect from abandonment and distress. Agni knows the name Nabhas, and is called as descendant of Aṅgiras with the name Āyu. Wherever Agni resides—on the first, second, or third earth—he is established with his unconquered, sacrificial name. The sacrificer follows Agni for the gods’ favor. The offering is hailed as a lioness, subduer of rivals, fit, purified, and shining for the gods. Indra’s voice, with the Vasus, is asked to protect in front; Pracetas, with the Rudras, to protect behind; Manojava, with the Fathers, on the right; and Viśvakarman, with the Ādityas, on the left. Heated water is poured out, removing it from the sacrifice. The offering is again called a lioness, protection of the Ādityas, Brahman, and Kṣatra, bringer of good offspring, protector of wealth and prosperity. She is asked to bring the gods to the sacrificer and is appointed for all beings. Firmness is invoked: the offering is firm, and is asked to make the earth, atmosphere, and heaven firm. It is the moisture of Agni. The wise yoke the mind and thoughts, appointing the two Hotṛs who know the rites. The great praise of the god Savitṛ is recited. Svāhā. Viṣṇu is praised for measuring out the world, establishing the threefold step, and spreading his dust everywhere. Svāhā. The earth is prayed to be rich in refreshment, cows, and good things, granting favor to Manu. Viṣṇu, with his rays, supports the two worlds and holds the earth all around. Svāhā. The divine voices are called to resound among the gods, preparing the sacrifice and leading the offering upward. They are urged not to falter, to speak of their own abode in difficult places, and not to cut off life or offspring. May they dwell in the expanse of the earth. The mighty deeds of Viṣṇu are proclaimed: he measures out the earthly regions, establishes the upper abode without support, and strides widely three times for the sake of the mighty. Viṣṇu is called upon to fill both hands with riches from sky, earth, and the vastness between, granting them from right and left. Offerings are dedicated to Viṣṇu. Viṣṇu is praised for his strength, likened to a fierce wild beast roaming the mountains, and in his three wide strides all worlds dwell. The offering is named as the delight, offspring, bond, and steadfastness of Viṣṇu, and dedicated to him. Through the impulse of divine Savitar, with the arms of the Ashvins and hands of Pushan, the offering is placed. It is a woman, and here the necks of demons are cut. She is great and swift, speaking a mighty word for Indra. The destroyer of demons and breaker of obstacles, belonging to Viṣṇu, is invoked to cast away all obstacles—those buried by enemies, rivals, equals, unequals, kin, strangers, born or unborn. Sorcery is also cast away. The lord of heaven, sacrifice, people, and all, slayer and destroyer of rivals, adversaries, demons, and enemies, is invoked. The destroyer of demons and breaker of obstacles, belonging to Viṣṇu, is sprinkled, led down, spread out, placed, and carried around. The offering is repeatedly affirmed as belonging to Viṣṇu. Again, through Savitar’s impulse, with the Ashvins’ arms and Pushan’s hands, the offering is placed. It is a woman, and demon necks are cut. It is barley, driving away hatred and enemies. Dedicated for sky, atmosphere, and earth, may the worlds and ancestral seats be purified. The offering is the ancestral seat. The sky is raised, the atmosphere filled, and the earth strengthened. May the shining Maruts measure, and Mitra and Varuṇa uphold steadfast law. The offering is carried for Brahman, Kshatra, wealth, and nourishment; these are all strengthened—life and progeny too. Steadfastness is affirmed for the sacrificer in his abode, wishing for increase in offspring and cattle. May heaven and earth be filled with ghee. The offering is Indra’s shelter and the shade for all people. Songs surround the singer, elders follow elders, and the favored follow the favored. The offering is Indra’s bond and steadfastness, belonging to Indra and all the gods. It is Vibhū, the flowing one; fire, the carrier of offerings; swift and wise; praised, knower of all. It is inspired, poet, swift-footed, strong, helper, giver of good, purifier, cat-like, sovereign, thin-flamed, to be surrounded, purifying, sky, spreader, cleansed, destroyer of offerings, abode of truth, and light of heaven. It is the ocean, all-pervading, unborn, single-footed, serpent of the deep, speech, Indra’s, the seat. The two doors of truth are invoked; the prayer is to avoid affliction and to be led safely on the divine path. The fires are called to look upon the sacrificer with the eye of Mitra. They are with the ocean, with Rudra, with Anika. The fires are asked to protect, preserve, and guard the sacrificer, who salutes them and requests not to be harmed. The offering is the light, of all forms, assembled among all the gods. Soma is the protector from harm and other evils, the wide shield. Svāhā. May the one who accepts clarified butter be pleased. Svāhā. Thus, the ritual unfolds, weaving together the powers of the gods, the elements, and the sacred offerings, invoking protection, prosperity, truth, and fulfillment for the sacrificer and all beings.