In the sacred gathering, the seekers turned their hearts to the divine, raising their voices in reverence and longing. They wondered, “Among those who are true, who is most beloved to you, O Deva, in the joy of Soma’s flow? Even the steadfast you can overcome, O generous giver of wealth.” With hope, they implored, “Be our protector among friends and singers alike, and may you grant us a hundredfold aid.” They questioned further: “By what grace, O mighty one, do you delight in us? What favor do you bring to those who praise you?” Their thoughts turned to Indra, who rules over all, and they prayed, “May well-being be upon our two-footed and four-footed creatures alike.” They invoked the blessings of Mitra, Varuṇa, and Aryaman, seeking their graciousness. They called upon Indra, Bṛhaspati, and Viṣṇu of the vast stride to be kind. They wished for the wind to blow gently, for the sun to warm them kindly, and for Parjanya, the thundering god, to send rain for their good. Desiring harmony, they prayed, “May our days and nights be peaceful. May Indra and Agni, with their protection, grant us peace. May Indra and Varuṇa, worthy of our offerings, grant us peace. May Indra and Pūṣan, givers of strength, grant us peace. May Indra and Soma grant us peace and prosperity.” They turned to the nourishing waters, asking, “May the divine waters bring us auspiciousness in our drinking, and may they flow with blessings.” To the gentle Earth they said, “O Earth, be firm and secure beneath us, a steady resting place, and grant us your wide protection.” Recognizing the delight and strength that the waters bring, they prayed, “Waters, you are the source of joy; give us nourishment and vision. Whatever is your most auspicious essence, share that with us as loving mothers do.” Thus, they drew near to the waters, seeking increase and renewal, asking, “O waters, generate us anew.” Their hearts yearned for peace—peace in the heavens, in the sky, on earth, in the waters, in the plants and trees, among all the gods, in the Vedas, and in all things. They wished for peace alone to dwell with them. Longing for harmony among beings, they resolved, “May all beings look upon me with the eye of friendship, and may I look upon all beings with that same eye. May we gaze upon one another with friendship.” With steadfast intent, they declared, “May I stand firm; may I live long in your sight.” With reverence, they offered homage to the divine flame, to its shining and blazing forms, asking that its other fires burn away all that is separate from them, and that the purifier be gracious. They honored the lightning and thunder, and the Lord from whom the heavens are sought, seeking safety wherever he moves—safety for themselves, their children, and their cattle. They prayed for the waters and plants to be friendly to them, and to turn away from those who harbor enmity. They wished to behold the shining divine eye for a hundred autumns—to live, hear, speak, and remain vigorous for a hundred autumns and more. With the impulse of Savitṛ, the arms of the Aśvins, and the hands of Pūṣan, they took up the offering-spoon, ready for the sacrifice. The wise ones harnessed their minds and thoughts, and the priests, knowing the ways, set the ritual in place, offering great praise to Savitṛ. They called upon Heaven and Earth, the divine goddesses, to be the head of the sacrifice and bestowers of gifts at the worship on earth. They invoked the wondrous, first-born divine beings to preside over the sacrifice. The seat of the sacrifice was set in the sacred rite upon the earth, and with Indra’s strength, the head of the sacrifice was consecrated again and again. They invited the Lord of the Sacred Word and the gracious goddess Speech to advance, asking the gods to lead their offering to the heroic and bountiful one. The head of the sacrifice was consecrated repeatedly, affirming its importance. With the strength of the stallion, the anointing was performed in the divine rite upon the earth, consecrating the head of the sacrifice many times over—for uprightness, for accomplishment, for a good dwelling. They dedicated the offering for Yama, for the sun’s heat, and prayed that Savitar would anoint it with sweetness, protecting the touch of the earth. The offering was flame, brilliance, and heat. They sought protection and blessings from every direction: life in the east under Agni’s lordship, progeny in the south under Indra, sight in the west under Savitar, hearing and nourishment in the north under Dhātar, and strength above under Bṛhaspati. They prayed for protection from all harm, recognizing the horse of the mind within. With the Maruts, they adorned themselves in splendor, seeking the sweetness of heaven’s touch. They honored the embryo of the gods, the father of thoughts, the lord of creatures, who shines with Savitar and the sun. They wished for Agni to unite with Agni, to shine with Savitar and the sun, and to unite with austerity. The supporter of heaven, born of austerity, sustains the gods and the earth; to the youthful gods, they prayed for restraint of speech. They beheld the herdsman who moves ever forward and backward on the world’s paths, wearing the same garment, traversing straight and crooked ways, turning back within the worlds. They honored the lord of all beings, minds, speech, and words, the renowned divine heat, protector of the gods, asking him to be present for their service, bringing sweetness among the sweet and honeyed ones. They consecrated the offering for the heart, the mind, the sky, and the sun, seeking to raise the sacrifice upward to the gods in heaven. Finally, they addressed the divine as their father, seeking his protection and companionship: “You are our father; be our father. Homage to you; do not harm me. With Tvaṣṭṛ’s power, may we beget sons; let cattle and offspring be granted to us. May I remain unharmed, and may I have the joy of companionship with my children.” Thus, with devotion and humility, the seekers offered their prayers, sacrifices, and hopes, weaving together a tapestry of praise, longing, and consecration, seeking blessings, harmony, and peace from the divine powers that sustain the universe.