In the house where skill and wisdom flourish, among the offspring of poets, there dwell the devourers—those who consume and transform the sacred offerings. Into this abode, the divine priests arrive, their chariot radiant like the sun. They anoint the sacrifice with honey, renewing it with sweetness and vigor, for this is Vena, the ever-renewing force. The rays of their presence stretch across the worlds, slanting above and below. They are the bearers of seed and power, mighty in their essence; inherent strength lies beneath, while aspiration soars above. When this force was born, it filled the two worlds and ascended to heaven, sustained by the waters. Led around the sacrifice like a prize-winning horse, the sage moves with purpose. With hymns, even those slow of speech praise the slayer of Vṛtra, summoning him with gestures and intent. Let the sons of immortality hear these songs and be gracious to the supplicants. Prayers, thoughts, pressed Soma, and vigor rise up; the stones pour forth their offerings. The hymns stir and summon the divine, and the two steeds bring them swiftly. Maghavan, none surpasses you; no deity is equal to your greatness. Neither the newborn nor the born perishes in your presence. Whatever you will to do, accomplish it, O greatly grown one. From you arose the greatest among beings—the fierce, splendid, heroic one. Newly born, he drives away enemies, and all powers delight in him. Purūvasa, may these radiant, pure, and wise songs increase your glory; they approach you with heartfelt praises. Wealth is offered to you, for whom both Aryan and Dāsa, benevolent lord and enemy—even those who cry out in anger—bring their gifts. With a thousand sages empowered by their strength, he spreads like the ocean. True is his greatness; his might is praised in sacrifice and among the wise. Savitar, protect our dwelling today with guardians who cannot be deceived, with auspicious ones. Golden-tongued, guard us for new prosperity; let no evil-wisher rule over us. Vāyu, come to our sacrifice that reaches the sky, bringing good thoughts. Purified within and adorned above, I shine as I approach you. Indra and Vāyu, of beautiful form, we call you here with good invocation. May all people be free from harm, and may we meet together with good minds. Thus, mortals rejoice in divine worship, seeking Mitra and Varuṇa for the offering and the giving of oblations. Come, Aśvins, adorn yourselves and drink the honey. The milk has been drawn for you, mighty and noble givers; do not harm us, but come to our sacrifice. Let the Lord of Speech advance and the goddess Truth come forward. Let the gods lead our sacrifice to the heroic, noble provider of abundance. The Moon moves among the waters; the swift-winged one runs in the sky. Tawny, abundant, many-nourishing wealth approaches, roaring as it comes. To each god we call for help and favor, for the gaining of strength, praising them with divine thought. Agni, Vaiśvānara, has shone forth in the vast sky. Growing strong on earth, he dispels darkness with his light. Indra and Agni, a being came without feet from the lotus-stalks; leaving its head behind, it spoke with its tongue, moved, and stepped thirty steps. The gods, united in purpose for Manu, act together with one intent. May they today and tomorrow be for us, and may they be knowers of the path. Indra has removed the curses, becoming glorious as the destroyer of evil. The gods have chosen Indra for friendship, radiant among the host of Maruts. For mighty Indra, let the Maruts praise with hymns. The slayer of Vṛtra, hundred-powered, strikes with a thunderbolt of a hundred joints. Indra’s strength has grown, his bull-like power delights in the pressed Soma. Today, his greatness is praised by the sons, as before. There is that which rises far, divine even while awake, and likewise goes forth when asleep—the light of lights, traversing distances. May my mind be endowed with auspicious resolve. By this, the wise and thoughtful perform actions and sacrifices, steadfast in assemblies. This unprecedented, mysterious presence within beings—may my mind be endowed with auspicious resolve. It is discernment, consciousness, and fortitude; the immortal light within creatures, without which nothing is done. May my mind be endowed with auspicious resolve. By this, all existence, the world, and what will be, are embraced by immortality. By this, the seven priests sustain the sacrifice. May my mind be endowed with auspicious resolve. In this, the Ṛc, Sāma, and Yajus verses are established, like spokes in the hub of a wheel. In this, the consciousness of all beings is woven. May my mind be endowed with auspicious resolve. Like a skilled charioteer guiding horses, it directs men with reins, swift and restless, established in the heart. May my mind be endowed with auspicious resolve. Now, I praise the mighty, righteous father whose strength, like that of Trita, shattered the many-headed Vṛtra. With Anumati’s favor, may you grant us well-being, inspire us for resolve and skill, and lead us across the span of life. May Anumati accept our sacrifice among the gods today, and may Agni, bearer of offerings, bring delight to the worshipper. Sinīvālī, broad-hipped sister among the gods, accept the offered oblation and grant us offspring. Five rivers, along with Sarasvatī, flow together with their currents; Sarasvatī, in fivefold form, became a river in that land. Agni, you were the first among the Angiras sages, divine among gods, auspicious friend. By your command, poets and wise ones were born, and the Maruts with shining vision. Protect us, Agni, with your divine guardianship; safeguard our bodies worthy of praise. Be the protector of children, offspring, and cattle, watchful in your vow. On the outstretched earth, the wise one quickly gave birth to the vigorous bull. The reddish pillar, shining in his strength, was born as the son of Iḍā, in skill.