At the break of dawn, the sages and devotees gathered to invoke the mighty Bhaga, son of Aditi, the generous giver. Even the powerful, the swift, and the king himself declared, “Bhaga is the one to be enjoyed.” With reverence, they called upon Bhaga, the leader and true bestower, praying, “Grant us insight, O Bhaga. Generate for us cattle and horses, and let us stand as men among men.” Their prayers continued: “May blessings be upon us now, at the end, and throughout the days. O Maghavan, who rises with the sun, may we remain in the gods’ favor.” They wished that among all the gods, Bhaga alone might be the possessor of blessings, and that through him, they too might be blessed. With heartfelt longing, they called out, “Bhaga, appear before us, fulfill our desires!” As the dawns arrived, they bowed together at the sacrifice, just as Dadhikrā bows to the pure path. The devotees prayed that Bhaga, the bringer of wealth, would draw them near, like swift horses pulling a chariot. They wished the dawns to always rise auspiciously—rich in horses, cattle, and heroes—bestowing well-being and milking ghee from all sides for their protection. Turning to Pūṣan, they sought his guardianship: “May we never suffer harm under your rule, for we are your singers here.” Pūṣan, the guardian of the way, approached the hymn with speech and desire. The devotees prayed that he, attentive and radiant, would grant them wisdom upon wisdom. They remembered Viṣṇu, the unassailable protector, who strode three great steps and from that exalted place upheld the laws. The wise priests, vigilant and united, kindled the sacred fire, ever seeking to reach Viṣṇu’s highest step. The earth, broad, beautiful, and rich with ghee, nourished all beings. Heaven and earth, firmly established by Varuṇa’s law, stood ageless and abundant in seed. The devotees then prayed that Indra and Agni would drive away their rivals, and that the Vasus, Rudras, and Ādityas would subdue their enemies, making them powerless and subject to the king. They called upon the Aśvins, along with the eleven gods, to partake of the honeyed offering. “Grant us long life, remove obstacles, cleanse us from sins, drive away hatred, and unite with us,” they prayed. Their praise was also offered to the Maruts and to the noble Māndārya, wishing for health, knowledge of their people, and long-lived offspring. The seven divine sages, wise and following the path of the ancients, united their praise, meter, and measure, grasping the reins like skilled charioteers. The people prayed for long life, brilliance, wealth, and growth from plants, and for radiant gold to enter them as a sign of victory. They acknowledged that neither demons nor spirits could surpass the gods’ strength, for this was the gods’ first-born power. Whoever bore the Dakṣāyaṇa gold would gain long life among gods and men. Remembering the Dakṣāyaṇas who, wishing well, bound gold for Śatānīka, the devotee now bound it for himself, praying for a hundred autumns of life—aged, yet strong as before. They invoked Ahi Budhnya, the unborn one-footed one, the earth, and the ocean, as well as all the gods who uphold truth, asking that their hymns and wise words might protect them. Anointed with ghee, their songs were offered to the Ādityas and the ancient kings: “May Mitra, Aryaman, Bhaga, mighty Varuṇa, Dakṣa, and Aṃśa hear us.” Within the body, seven sages were established, ever vigilant against negligence. Seven energies traversed the world of sleep, and there, awake, were the two gods presiding over the sacrifice, not born of sleep. With devotion, they called: “Arise, O Lord of the Sacred Word! Let the generous Maruts and swift Indra come to us.” The Lord of the Sacred Word now uttered a hymn-worthy chant, where Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, and Aryaman had established their abodes. As the guide of the hymn, the Lord was asked to awaken its offspring and make it prosper, so that all auspiciousness protected by the gods might be theirs, and that they might speak greatly in the assembly, blessed with good sons. “He who encompasses all, the maker of all, our father—O Lord of food, grant us sustenance,” they prayed. Turning to the world of men, they wished that evil ones and the unfriendly would depart far from the gods’ favor, for the world belongs to those who perform the rite. By days, nights, and twilights, may Yama clearly assign each their resting place. Savitṛ was asked to grant a place on earth for each body, and to let the cows be yoked for the departed. They prayed for purification by Vāyu and Savitṛ, and for the brilliance of Agni and the radiance of Sūrya to release the cows. They acknowledged the seat under the aśvattha tree, dwelling on its leaf, nourished by cows, which renews the person. Savitṛ was called upon to draw the bodies back to the mother’s lap, and the earth was asked to be gracious. The devotee placed the departed in Prajāpati’s realm, in the world with water, praying that the waters would wash away all sin. They addressed Death: “Go far, O Death, follow your own path, not the one leading to the gods. Do not harm our offspring or our heroes!” They wished for peace from the wind, from radiance, from bricks, and from the earthly fires, praying that none would harm them. May all directions, waters, and rivers be auspicious and favorable; may the midspace and all directions be well prepared. As the stone-laden one moved onward, the people strove together, urging each other to arise and cross over, casting away the inauspicious and carrying their prizes to victory. “Away with sin, guilt, evil, and misfortune!” they cried. “O remover of impurities, drive away evil dreams.” They wished for friendship from the waters and plants, and for enmity only towards those who hated them. Taking hold of the bull, the fragrant one, for well-being, they prayed: “O Fire, like Indra among the gods, be our guide across.” Emerging from darkness, they rejoiced in seeing the higher light, reaching the god among gods, the Sun—the highest light. A boundary was set for the living: “Let none cross it for their own purpose. May they live a hundred autumns, full and plentiful, placing death far away, as if behind a mountain.” Finally, they prayed to Agni: “Purify our lifespans, bring us to radiant light, strength, and nourishment. Drive far from us all evil and misfortune.” Thus, with hearts full of devotion and hope, the people honored the gods, sought blessings, and aspired for long life, prosperity, and the eternal light.