Golden-handed Savitar, all-wise and radiant, journeys across heaven and earth. With his luminous touch, he dispels disease and nears the sun itself, drawing his dark mantle over the sky to bring the world into gentle night. This gracious and benevolent god, the Asura, approaches with good guidance, warding off demons and sorcerers. At every dawn, Savitar stands vigilant, praised by singers for his protection. O Savitar, your ancient, dustless, and skillfully made paths stretch across the midspace. Guard us today along those easy roads; speak for us as our guardian and keep us safe. And you, Ashvins, come and drink—bestow upon us your steadfast protection, your unfailing aid and support. Grant us inspired speech, O wondrous Ashvins, and bestow wisdom upon us. In moments of need and contest, we call upon you—may your strength lead us to victory. Watch over us by day and by night, O Ashvins, and keep our fortune unharmed. May Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky all shield us from harm. Savitar, riding his golden chariot, moves through the dark expanse, establishing both immortal and mortal beings. With his all-seeing gaze, he beholds the worlds. Night, meanwhile, spreads her lights over the earth, standing in the great abodes of heaven, and her mighty darkness prevails. O Dawn, bring us your radiant light, rich in horses, that we may nurture our children and their descendants. In the morning, we call to Agni, to Indra, to Mitra and Varuna, to the Ashvins; we invoke Bhaga, Pushan, Brahmanaspati, Soma, and Rudra. At dawn, we praise mighty Bhaga, son of Aditi, the generous giver. Even the strong, the swift, and the king declare, “Bhaga is the one to be enjoyed.” O Bhaga, leader and true bestower, grant us insight. Give us cattle and horses; may we be distinguished among men. May we be blessed now, at day’s end, and throughout our days. Maghavan, arisen with the sun, may we remain in the gods’ favor. Let Bhaga alone possess all blessings among the gods—by him may we be blessed. To you, Bhaga, with all our desire, we call; be present before us. The dawns bow at the sacrifice, as Dadhikra bows to the pure path; let the bringers of wealth, O Bhaga, draw us near, like horses drawing a chariot. May the dawns, rich in horses, cattle, and heroes, always rise auspiciously. As they pour forth ghee from all sides, may they ever protect us with well-being. O Pushan, under your rule, may we never suffer harm; we are your singers here. Along the paths, Pushan, guardian of the way, comes close with speech and desire to the hymn. May he, attentive and radiant, grant us wisdom upon wisdom. Vishnu, the protector, strode three mighty steps; from there, he upholds the laws unassailable. The wise, vigilant priests together kindle the sacred fire, seeking the highest step of Vishnu. The earth, broad and beautiful, rich with ghee and nourishing all beings, stands firm with the heavens by Varuna’s law—ageless and abundant in seed. May Indra and Agni drive away our rivals; Vasus, Rudras, and Adityas, touch them from above, make them powerless, and subject them to the king. Come, Ashvins, with the eleven gods, to partake of the honeyed offering. Grant us long life, remove obstacles, cleanse us from sins, drive away hatred, and be united with us. This praise is for the Maruts, this song for noble Mandarya. May these blessings come to our bodies; may we know our people and attain long-lived offspring. With united praise, meter, and measure, the seven divine sages follow the ancient path, wise as charioteers who grasp the reins. May long life, brilliance, wealth, and the growth of plants, may radiant gold, enter into me for victory. Neither demons nor spirits surpass the strength of the gods—this is their primal power. Whoever bears the Dakshayana gold gains long life among gods and men. When the Dakshayans, wishing well, bound gold for Shatanika, so do I bind it for myself for a hundred autumns of life, aged yet strong as before. May Ahi Budhnya hear us; may the unborn, the one-footed, the earth, the ocean, and all the gods, upholders of truth whom we invoke, protect us with praised hymns and wise words. These songs, anointed with ghee, I offer to the Adityas, to the ancient kings with my tongue; may Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, mighty Varuna, Daksha, and Amsha hear us. Seven sages are established in the body; seven ever guard against negligence. Seven energies traverse the world of sleep, where two gods, ever wakeful and presiding over sacrifice, are not born of sleep. Arise, O Lord of the Sacred Word! We invoke you with devotion. Let the generous Maruts come, and Indra, be swift and join us. Now, the Lord of the Sacred Word utters a hymn-worthy chant, in which Indra, Varuna, Mitra, and Aryaman have established their abodes. O Lord of the Sacred Word, you are the guide of this hymn; awaken its offspring and make it prosper. May all that is auspicious, protected by the gods, be ours; may we speak greatly in the assembly, blessed with good sons. He who encompasses all, maker of all, our father—O Lord of food, grant us sustenance. Let the evil ones, the unfriendly, depart far from the gods’ favor. This world belongs to the one who has performed the rite. By days, nights, and twilights, may Yama assign him his resting place. May Savitr grant you a place on earth from your bodies; let the cows be yoked for him. May Vayu purify; may Savitr purify; by Agni’s brilliance and Surya’s radiance, let the cows be released. Your seat is under the ashvattha tree, your dwelling upon its leaf. You are nourished by cows, it is said, when you renew the person. May Savitr draw your bodies back to the mother’s lap; O Earth, be gracious to him. In Prajapati, in the divine realm, in the world with water, I place you. May the waters wash away our sin.