The gods, possessed of wisdom, know the sacred path and, having discerned it, move along it with purpose. In their journey, they invoke the Lord of the Mind, beseeching him to join the sacrifice with the wind, seeking his divine presence and blessing. With reverence, they urge each other: "Go forth to the sacrifice, approach the Lord of Sacrifice, return to your own source." The offering is presented to the Lord of Sacrifice, adorned with a thousand hymns and filled with heroes, and they pray that he accept it with favor. In this sacred assembly, there is a call for peace: "Do not harm, do not strike." King Varuṇa, guardian of cosmic order, has laid out a broad path for the sun to travel, carving steps for all to tread. Even those who would stray from this path are touched by his power. With homage, the worshiper proclaims release from Varuṇa’s binding noose. Turning to Agni, the fire god, the worshipers enter his radiant presence, the son of the waters, and honor his lordship in every household with offerings of fuel. They pray for Agni’s tongue, bright with ghee, to move forth and accept the sacrifice. They recognize that Agni’s heart is deep within the ocean and the waters, and ask that the plants and waters merge into him, offering their hymns and homage to the Lord of Sacrifice. The divine waters are invoked as bearers of the sacrificial seed, and Soma, the god of bliss, is asked to grant happiness and protection in his world. The gods are praised as the cleansing force, removing impurity and sin, whether born of gods or mortals. The many-formed deity is asked for protection, for he is the kindler of the gods. A prayer is offered for the safe movement and birth of the ten-month embryo, that it may follow the natural rhythms of wind and ocean. The sacrificial embryo, intended for a chosen one, is to be united with its mother, and the devotee seeks to join in this blessing. Soma, wise and manifold, is said to have entered the greatness within, spreading his essence to all beings—one-footed, two-footed, three-footed, four-footed, and eight-footed—throughout the worlds. In the dwelling where the Maruts, sons of the vast sky, travel the heavenly paths, that person is most protected among men. Heaven and earth themselves are asked not to measure the sacrifice, but instead to nourish the worshipers with their abundance. Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, is called to rise upon his chariot, his two bay horses yoked by prayer. The pressing stone, bearing fire, is invoked to incline Indra’s mind favorably. Indra, the one of sixteen parts, is honored with a special seat. Indra is further invited to yoke his tawny, strong, maned horses, to come near and drink Soma, drawn by the songs of the devotees. His bays carry him, unconquerable in strength, to the praises of seers and the sacrifices of men. Indra, in his manifold greatness, is recognized as the one who has entered all the worlds; Prajāpati, rejoicing in offspring, upholds the three lights and is also called the one of sixteen parts. Indra is sovereign, Varuṇa is king, and together they claim the foremost share of the sacrifice. After them, the worshiper partakes, praying that the divine speech, delighted, be satisfied with Soma, and offering breath as a sign of life. Agni is invoked to purify himself, bestow blessings, and grant brilliance and strength. The worshipers pray for wealth and nourishment, seeking to be the most brilliant among men, just as Agni is among the gods. Indra is again called upon for strength, that the devotee may be the strongest among men, as he is among the gods. Sūrya, the Sun, sends forth his radiant rays and visions among the people, shining like fire. He is received for his brilliance, and the devotee prays to be radiant among men, as Sūrya is among the gods. The rays carry Jātavedas, the Sun, for all to see, and the offering is made in his honor. The drops of the sacrifice are asked to enter the honey-bearing vessel, to return with nourishment, and may the abundance of milk and wealth flow once more to the devotee. Aditi and Sarasvatī, renowned goddesses, are invoked for delight and good deeds, their names honored among the gods. Indra is called upon to strike down foes, subdue attackers, and drive away all assailants, casting adversaries into darkness and securing victory for the worshipers. The Lord of Speech, the all-creator, swift in mind and doer of good deeds, is invoked for help and to accept all offerings. The all-creator, through offerings and increase, made Indra the invincible protector, to whom all clans gather. He is invoked with due honor. The various meters—Gāyatrī for Agni, Triṣṭubh for Indra, Jagatī for all the gods, and Anuṣṭubh for praise—are used to receive the offerings. The smoke of the sacrifice is offered to the divine horses: the Vreśīna, Kukūnana, Bhandana, and those most intoxicating and sweetest, as well as the pure smoke, in the form of day and the sun’s rays. The form of the bull shines in the directions; Soma is the leader of Soma, and the wakeful name born from Soma is accepted. Soma is honored as the beloved path of Agni, Indra, and all the gods, and is invited to come as a friend. There is delight and steadfastness in the sacrificial seat, nourishing the mother and granting abundant wealth. The worshipers proclaim that they have attained the prosperity of the sacrificial session and become immortal light, ascending from earth to heaven and finding the light of the sun, the gods’ own radiance. Indra and Parvata, armed with foremost weapons, are called to strike down all attackers, to drive away enemies from every side, and to bless the devotees with good offspring, heroes, strength, and prosperity. The gods are named in their various roles: Parameṣṭhin, Prajāpati, Andha, Savitṛ, Viśvakarman, and Pūṣan, each presiding over aspects of the sacrifice. Indra and the Maruts rise for the purchase, Asura is bargained for, Mitra is bought, and Viṣṇu, the all-pervader, is seated in the thigh. Soma arrives, Varuṇa takes his seat on the bench, Agni at the fire altar, Indra in the offering place, and Atharvan is brought near. All the gods are present in the sacrificial drops; Viṣṇu is filled, Yama is pressed, Vāyu is purified, and Shukra, the essence of milk, is churned. All the gods are brought into the cups; Asura is raised for the offering, Rudra is invoked, Vāta is turned about, the observant are set aside, and the Fathers and Nārāśaṃsas are present as the food is eaten. The river is raised for ablution, the ocean is brought near, and the waters overflow, supported by the strength of Viṣṇu and Varuṇa, who come at the first invocation as unconquered rulers. Through sacrifice, the gods ascended to heaven, men to the midspace, and the Fathers to earth, and the devotee prays that wealth and goodness may come from each realm, wherever the sacrifice leads.