In a time of solemn transition and sacred invocation, the sages gathered and addressed Death itself: “Go far from us, O Death, and follow your own path, which is not the way of the gods. You who see and hear, do not harm our children or our heroes; let them be safe and untouched by your hand.” They invoked peace from every corner of existence: “May the wind bring you peace, may your radiant presence bring peace, may the very bricks and the earthly fires that surround us be sources of peace. Let nothing in these harm you or us.” With gentle voices, they prayed for all directions to be prepared and auspicious, for the waters and rivers to be favorable, for the midspace to be kind, and for every direction to be ready to receive and bless. As the stone-laden one moved forward—the funeral procession advancing—the people called out to one another: “Come together, arise, and cross over, friends! Here, let us cast away all that is inauspicious. We, who are blessed, will cross over with our rewards, leaving behind what is unworthy.” They spoke words of purification: “Away with sin, guilt, evil, and misfortune! O you who remove impurities, drive from us all evil dreams.” The sages beseeched the waters and plants to be friendly to them, and to be unfriendly only to those who harbor hatred or whom they themselves oppose. Holding the fragrant bull, the symbol of strength and well-being, they prayed: “As Indra is among the gods, so may you, O Fire, be our guide across this passage.” Emerging from darkness, they rejoiced: “We have come forth into the higher light. We have reached the god among gods, the Sun, the highest radiance.” A boundary was set for the living: “Let none cross it for their own ends. May all live a hundred autumns, long and full, keeping death far away as if by a mountain’s distance.” They invoked Agni, the sacred fire: “O Agni, purify our lifespans. Lead us to radiant light, to strength and nourishment. Drive away from us all evil and misfortune.” They praised Agni, long-lived and growing with offerings, shining with clarified butter: “O Agni, born of ghee, drink the sweet, delightful milk. Like a father protects his son, so protect these here. Svāhā.” Having led the cow and Agni around, they established their fame among the gods, confident that none could now overcome them. They sent away the flesh-eating aspect of Agni to Yama’s realm, asking that the devouring fire depart, and that the other Jātavedas—Agni as the knower of all births—remain to carry their offerings to the gods with knowledge and care. “O Jātavedas, carry the omentum to the Fathers, where you know them to be in the farthest region. Let the streams of fat flow to them; may their true blessings bow down to us. Svāhā.” They prayed to Earth: “Be gentle and firm for us, a secure resting place. Grant us broad protection and drive away all burning evil.” They acknowledged the cycle of birth: “From you, Earth, this one was born; from him, may another be born again. May he reach the heavenly world. Svāhā.” Turning to the powers of speech, mind, and breath, they sought the Ṛc as speech, the Yajus as mind, the Sāman as breath, and asked for sight and hearing. “May speech, strength, and mighty vigor be with me, along with inhalation and exhalation.” Any gap or weakness in eye, heart, or mind, they asked Bṛhaspati to fill, praying for the Lord of the world to bring well-being. They meditated upon the three worlds—Earth, atmosphere, and heaven—and upon the adorable radiance of Savitṛ, the god, seeking inspiration for their thoughts. They marveled at the wondrous favor by which their ever-growing friend—the divine presence—became manifest, and wondered by what powerful aid he was chosen. They questioned who among the true ones was most delightful in the exhilaration of Soma, acknowledging that even the firmest are moved by the giver of wealth. They asked for protection among friends and singers, wishing for a hundred aids. They inquired what favor, O vigorous one, brought delight to them, and what blessings were bestowed upon the praisers. They declared: “Indra rules over all. May there be well-being for our bipeds and quadrupeds.” They sought the grace of Mitra, Varuṇa, Aryaman, Indra, Bṛhaspati, and Viṣṇu of wide stride. They prayed: “May the wind blow well for us, may the sun warm us kindly, and may Parjanya, the thundering god, rain upon us for our good.” They wished for peaceful days and nights, invoking Indra and Agni for protection and peace, and requesting the same from Indra and Varuṇa, Indra and Pūṣan, and Indra and Soma, for peace and prosperity. They honored the divine, nourishing waters, praying they be auspicious for drinking and flow with blessings. Again, they called upon the gentle Earth to be firm and secure, a steady resting place, granting wide protection. To the waters, source of delight, they prayed for nourishment and strength, and for the most auspicious essence of the waters to be shared with them, like loving mothers. They drew close to the waters, recognizing their power to bring increase and growth, and asked to be generated anew. They invoked peace in all realms: in the heavens, the sky, the earth, the waters, the plants, the trees, among the gods, in the Vedas, and in all things—peace alone, may that peace be with them. With firm resolve, they prayed that all beings look upon them with the eye of friendship, that they look upon all beings with the same eye, and that all look upon one another as friends. They wished to stand firm and live long in the sight of the divine, repeating their desire for longevity. They offered homage to Agni’s flames and blaze, asking that all other fires burn away what is apart from them, and seeking the purifier’s grace. They honored the lightning and thunder, and the Lord from whom the heavens are sought. Wherever the divine moved, they asked for safety, for peace, for the safety of their children and their cattle. They prayed again for the waters and plants to be friendly to them, and unfriendly only to those who hate or oppose them. Finally, they invoked the divine eye set before them—the shining light—asking that they may see, live, hear, speak, and be vigorous for a hundred autumns, and even beyond, blessed with long and prosperous lives, upheld by the grace of the gods.