At the sacred foot of Iḍā, at the very navel of the earth, the priests carefully establish Agni, the fire god, Jātavedas, to carry their offerings to the divine. With reverence, they praise this powerful one, radiant and born of the Angiras line, composing hymns and songs to honor his renowned presence. They offer great homage to Agni, the mighty one, through song and praise, recalling how the Angiras sages—their forefathers—discovered the cows through the power of their hymns. In their devotion, they turn to Indra, the delight of his friends, who long for him and press Soma, preparing their offerings. These devotees endure the reproach of others, knowing that none but Indra is truly wise. For Indra, the supreme one, no distance is too far. He is called to set forth with his two bay horses, wielding his mace. The pressing stones are yoked and ready at the fire for the steadfast Bull, prepared for the sacred pressing of Soma. Soma himself is invoked—unconquered in battle, victorious in war, the giver of light, the guardian of waters and people. The worshippers pray to follow him, for he brings prosperity, fame, and triumph in contests. Soma is the generous giver: he bestows cows, swift horses, and heroic, diligent men. To those who offer to him, he grants companions, wisdom, assemblies, and the praise of ancestors. Soma’s creative power is celebrated: he brought forth all plants, unleashed the waters, fashioned the cows, stretched out the wide midspace, and with his radiance drove away the darkness. The worshippers urge mighty Soma to contend for their share of wealth with a divine mind, vigilant against any who would deprive him, alert to both sides in the contest for the prize. The cosmic order is described: eight regions of earth, three desert distances, and seven rivers. Into this world arrives the golden-eyed god Savitar, bearing treasures and precious gifts for the devotee. Savitar, golden-handed and all-wise, traverses heaven and earth, driving away disease, approaching the sun, and covering the sky with his dark mantle. This gracious and benevolent god, the Asura Savitar, comes near with good guidance, dispelling demons and sorcerers. Every dawn, he stands guard, praised by singers. The worshippers call on Savitar to protect them along his ancient, dustless paths in the midspace, asking him to speak for them as their guardian. The Ashvins, too, are invoked to drink and grant protection, their aid unfailing. The supplicants ask the wondrous, mighty Ashvins for inspired speech and wisdom, calling upon them in need and contest to be their strength in the pursuit of victory. They pray for the Ashvins’ guardianship by day and night, for unharmed good fortune, and for the protection of Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky. Meanwhile, Savitar moves through the dark expanse, establishing both immortal and mortal beings, seeing all worlds from his golden chariot. Night herself spreads over the earth with her lights, standing firm in the abodes of heaven as her mighty darkness prevails. With hope, the worshippers call upon the Dawn to bring brilliant light, rich in horses, so that offspring and descendants may thrive. Each morning, they invoke Agni, Indra, Mitra, Varuna, the Ashvins, Bhaga, Pushan, Brahmanaspati, Soma, and Rudra, seeking their blessings at the break of day. They especially call upon Bhaga, the mighty son of Aditi, the generous giver. Even the strong, the swift, and the king acknowledge that Bhaga is the one to be enjoyed. They pray to Bhaga, the leader and true bestower, for insight, cattle, horses, and the strength to be men among men. With devotion, they ask to be blessed now, at the end, and in the midst of days, longing to be in the favor of the gods as Maghavan rises with the sun. They wish for Bhaga alone to be the possessor of blessings among the gods, calling to him with all desire to come before them. The dawns are seen bowing together at the sacrifice, just as Dadhikrā bows to the pure path. The bringers of wealth, led by Bhaga, are asked to draw the worshippers near, like horses pulling a chariot. May the dawns, rich in horses, cattle, and heroes, always rise auspiciously, milking ghee from all sides, bestowing well-being and protection. To Pūṣan, they pray for safety under his rule, declaring themselves his singers. Pūṣan, the guardian of the way, is called to approach the hymn with speech and desire, granting wisdom upon wisdom with his shining hands. Viṣṇu, too, is remembered for his three great strides, unassailable and protective, upholding the laws from that exalted place. The wise priests, vigilant and united, kindle the fire together, seeking the highest step of Viṣṇu. The earth is praised for her breadth, beauty, and richness, nourishing all beings. Heaven and earth, established firmly by Varuṇa’s law, are ageless and abundant in seed. The worshippers pray that their rivals may be driven away by Indra and Agni, and that the Vasus, Rudras, and Ādityas may render their foes powerless and subject to the king. The Ashvins are called again, along with the eleven gods, to partake of the honeyed offering, granting long life, removing obstacles, cleansing from sins, dispelling hatred, and uniting with the worshippers. Praise is offered to the Maruts and to noble Māndārya, seeking well-being for their bodies, knowledge of their people, and long-lived offspring. The seven divine sages, wise and united, follow the ancient path, grasping the reins like charioteers with united praise, meter, and measure. The worshippers pray for long life, brilliance, wealth, and the growth that comes from plants, asking that radiant gold may enter them for victory. They proclaim that neither demons nor spirits surpass the power of the gods—this is their primal strength. Whoever bears the Dakṣāyaṇa gold gains long life among gods and men. Remembering how the Dakṣāyaṇas, wishing well, bound gold for Śatānīka, the worshipper binds it for himself, wishing for a hundred autumns of life, aged yet strong. May Ahi Budhnya, the unborn, the one-footed, the earth, the ocean, and all the gods, upholders of truth, hear their prayers and protect them with wise words. Finally, the worshippers offer songs anointed with ghee to the Ādityas and the ancient kings, praying that Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, the mighty Varuṇa, Dakṣa, and Aṃśa may hear and bless them.