At the rising of the Sun, the devotee turns to the gods with a heartfelt plea: “O divine ones, free us from misfortune and blame today. May Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven spare us from harm.” As the Sun ascends, Savitṛ, the radiant god, moves through the dark firmament, establishing both immortals and mortals. He surveys all the worlds from his golden chariot, illuminating creation. The sacrificial grass is carefully spread, preparing the sacred seat for the gods. As dawn’s first call echoes, Vayu and Pushan, accompanied by their chariots, approach for the well-being of all. The devotee invokes Indra and Vayu, Brihaspati, Mitra, Agni, Pushan, Bhaga, the Adityas, and the host of Maruts, seeking their presence and favor. “May Varuṇa protect us, and Mitra, with all their aids, grant us divine favor,” the prayer continues. Offerings are made to Indra, Vishnu, their kin, the Maruts, Ashvins, the ancient ones, Vena, and all the gods, inviting them to partake in the Soma honey, accompanied by the sacred Ida offerings. The devotee calls upon Agni, Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, the hosts of gods, Maruts, Vishnu, both Ashvins, Rudra, the goddesses, Pushan, Bhaga, and Sarasvati, asking them to accept the offering. Indra and Agni, Mitra and Varuṇa, Aditi, the heavens, earth, Maruts, mountains, waters, Vishnu, Pushan, Brahmanaspati, Bhaga, and Savitar are all invoked for aid. The mighty Rudras and the mountains, united in the slaying of Vritra and the invocation, are asked to protect, and those who praise and sing are defended by the gods led by Indra. With reverence, the devotee approaches the gods, inviting them to come near today. “Protect us from the wolf, protect us from the doer of harm,” they beseech. May all the Maruts, all the fires kindled, and all the gods come with help, granting wealth and strength. The invocation reaches all gods—those in the midspace, those upon the heavens, those with Agni’s tongue, and those who are worshipful—inviting them to sit upon the sacrificial grass and rejoice. For the foremost gods, worthy of sacrifice, immortality and the highest share are granted. Savitar spreads out the gift, bestowing life upon mortals. The devotee directs lofty thoughts to Vayu, seeking abundant wealth, universal protection, and mastery of chariots, acknowledging that Vayu leads the poet and the shining ones. Indra and Vayu are invited to enjoy the pressed offerings, as the Soma streams delight them. Mitra, pure in wisdom, and Varuṇa, the righteous, are called, for they accomplish clarified and luminous thought. The Ashvins, wondrous and youthful, are invited to partake of the pressed offerings upon the well-prepared grass, coming by the path of Rudra, along with the ancient ones and Vena. The story recalls Sarama, who found the broken mountain path—the great ancient way. Who was her companion? She led the foremost, the well-footed of the words, singing the first cry and knowing its secret. None else knew the track except from Vaishvanara, the ancient path of Agni. The immortals strengthened Vaishvanara for the conquest of the realm. Indra and Agni, fierce and destroyers of foes, are invoked for their graciousness. Men sing to the purifier, to Indu, approaching the gods. Those who strengthened Maghavan (Indra) in the slaying, those in the battle of Shambara, the wielder of tawny steeds, those in the contest for the cows, and the priests who approve him are invited to drink Soma with the Maruts, his companions. Indra, born mighty, fierce for strength and speed, delightful and most vigorous, full of pride, was increased even by the Maruts when his mother placed the hero in the womb. The devotee calls Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, to their portion, seeking his mighty aids. Indra is victorious in every contest, destroys hostility, creates universal victory, and overcomes all challengers. The earths follow Indra’s force, rushing like mothers after a child; all adversaries are subdued in anger when Indra conquers Vṛtra. The sacrifice approaches the favor of the gods, and the Ādityas are asked to be gracious, to grant benevolence, and to remove distress. Savitar, with unfailing guardians and auspicious ones, is called upon to protect life today. Golden-tongued, for fresh prosperity, he is asked to guard, letting no evil speaker rule. The pure ones stream forth with vigor, with the priests and sweet Soma juices. Vāyu is invited to bring his teams and drink the pressed Soma for delight. The cows come near, great givers of sacrificial riches, their ears golden. Among the offspring of poets, in the house of skill and wisdom, the devourers are seated in the abode. Divine priests are invited to come with their chariot shining like the sun, to anoint the sacrifice with honey and renew it, for this is Vena. Their ray stretches across, slanting; it was below and above, seed-bearers and mighty, with inherent power below and aspiration above. He fills the two worlds and reaches heaven; when born, the waters sustain him. He is led around the sacrifice, the sage, like a horse harnessed for the prize. With hymns, the slayer of Vṛtra is praised, even by those slow with speech; with gestures, he is called forth. The sons of immortality are asked to hear the songs and be gracious. The devotee’s prayers, thoughts, pressed Soma, and vigor rise; the stone pours forth, summoned and stirred by hymns. Let the two steeds bring the gods. Maghavan (Indra) is unrivaled; no deity is his equal. Neither the newborn nor the born perishes; whatever he wills, he accomplishes, greatly grown. Among beings, the greatest was born, the fierce, splendid, heroic one. Newly born, he immediately drives away enemies; all powers delight in him. Finally, the devotee addresses Purūvasa: “May these songs of mine increase you—radiant, pure, wise; they have approached you with praises.” And thus, the sacred story flows, weaving invocation, praise, and offering, as the gods are called to bless, protect, and delight in the sacrifice.