In the sacred rites honoring the gods, the three divine goddesses—Bhāratī, Sarasvatī, and Iḍā—each in their own time, bestowed their blessings and power, thereby increasing the might of their lord, Indra. Bhāratī reached up and touched the very sky, while Sarasvatī and Iḍā, in the company of the Rudras, sanctified the sacrifice itself. Vasumatī, the earth, graced the homes with her presence. Thus, the wise are counseled—let the sacrificer seek the wealth that belongs to the truly wealthy. Indra, the king of the gods, was further strengthened by the presence of Narāśaṃsa, who protected and bound him in threefold ways, ensuring his growth. Surrounded by a hundred white-backed horses and proceeding with a thousand, Indra’s greatness was celebrated by Mitra and Varuṇa as priests, Bṛhaspati as the singer of hymns, and the Aśvins as the ritual Adhvaryus. To those who seek prosperity, the message is clear: pursue the wealth of the prosperous through sacrifice. A divine tree, golden-leaved and honey-branched, bearing the best of fruits, stood among the gods. Its top touched the heavens, its strength supported both the earth and the atmosphere, and through its virtue, Indra’s power grew. The sacred grass, born of the waters, was gathered—some placed close to Indra, others spread out—each blade contributing to his increase. Agni, god of fire and pure offerings, played his part in Indra’s glorification. The priests prayed that Agni would make the offering right, so that the sacrifice might be accepted and the sacrificer find true wealth. On this day, the sacrificer chose Agni as the priest, who cooked the sacred foods, prepared the sacrificial cake, and bound the goat for Indra. The divine tree became the stand for the soup, the fat was cooked, and the sacrificial cake completed the offering. The sacrificer, seeking favor among the gods, prayed for the gifts they bestow and called upon the priest to recite hymns of praise. The priest was then instructed to worship Tanūnapāt, the sprouting one, pure Indra, bestower of strength, whom Aditi bore. With the Gāyatrī meter, the Indriya, a three-year-old cow, and strength, he sought clarified butter for the offering. In turn, with the Uṣṇih meter and a two-year-old cow, with the Anuṣṭubh meter and a five-year-old cow, with the Bṛhatī meter and a three-year-old cow, and with the Paṅkti meter and a four-year-old cow, the priest offered clarified butter, each time invoking Indra’s strength. The priest also worshipped Indra as the slayer of Vṛtra, praised with Iḍā and Soma, and as the immortal lord seated upon the sacred grass. The shining, golden doors of the gods were honored, as were the great forms of Night and Dawn—unseen yet all-pervading. With each meter—Triṣṭubh, Jagati, Virāj, Dvipadā, and Kakubh—the priest sought to increase Indra’s power and to secure the clarified butter. The Hotar, the chief priest, was called to invoke the gods with wisdom, bringing Indra, the lord of strength, with the highest glory. The radiant goddesses—Bharati, Bṛhati, and Mahī—were invited, as was Tvaṣṭar, the shaper of forms and increaser of nourishment. The lord of the forest, the golden-leaved singer, was honored, as were the forms of Svāhā, Agni, Varuṇa, and the mighty Indra. The divine Barhis, the sacred grass, and the shining doors all contributed to Indra’s increase. The dawns and nights, the divine milker, the offering of nourishment, the Hotars—all these, through different meters, sense-powers, and symbolic offerings, strengthened Indra and brought forth the wealth of the gods. On this day, the sacrificer again chose Agni as the Hotar, preparing the offerings and binding the goat for Indra. The lord of the forest became the offering, and the fat, cooked and combined with the sacrificial cake, was presented. The sacrificer, a descendant of seers, sought the favor of the assembled gods, calling upon them to bestow their gifts and to be praised with hymns. As the fire was kindled, Agni shone as the ornament of thoughts, rich with ghee and sweetness, bearing the prize and bringing the beloved seat of the gods. The paths to the gods were anointed with ghee, the swift horse approached, and the seven directions accompanied the offering. The sacred grass was spread, broad and well-arranged, and Aditi, with the gods, placed it as a pleasant seat. The divine doors, adorned and uplifted, became splendid passages. The Dawns, golden and skillful, were seated at the heart of truth. The first, golden charioteers, who see all the worlds, inspired the priests to distribute light to every direction. Bhāratī, with the Ādityas, blessed the sacrifice; Sarasvatī, with the Rudras, offered protection; and Iḍā, with the Vasus, placed the sacrifice among the immortals. Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine craftsman, begot a heroic son—the swift horse—and created the world itself. The anointed horse was brought to the gods, and the divine tree carried the offerings with Agni. Agni, strengthened by Prajāpati’s austerity and newly born, took up the sacrifice, leading it forward with the sacred cry of svāhā, so that the Sādhyas and all the gods might partake of the oblation. Thus, through these sacred actions, prayers, and offerings, the sacrificer sought to increase Indra’s power, to secure the wealth and blessings of the gods, and to maintain the harmony between heaven and earth.