In a sacred dwelling, where the sons of the vast sky—the Maruts—move along the heavenly paths, there lives a man most well-protected among all. The great heaven and earth, with their immense abundance, are invoked not to measure the sacrifice, but to nourish the participants with their bounty. The ritual begins with a fervent call to Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra. He is asked to stand upon his chariot, his two bay horses yoked by prayer, while the pressing stone, glowing with fire, draws his mind toward the worshippers. Indra, revered as the one of sixteen parts, is welcomed into his seat, the offering made in his honor. Indra is further called to yoke his tawny, strong, and maned horses, and to come near, drawn by the songs of praise and the Soma. Again, he is received for the one of sixteen parts, his seat made ready. His powerful bays carry him to the praises of the seers and the sacrifices of men, none able to withstand his strength. For Indra, the one of sixteen parts, the seat is prepared. There is none born, nor any to be born, greater than the one who has entered all the worlds: Prajāpati, rejoicing in offspring, upholds the three lights and is himself the one of sixteen parts. Indra is recognized as the sovereign, Varuṇa as king; together, they have claimed the foremost portion. After them, the portion is shared, with divine speech delighting in Soma, carried on the breath. Agni, the bestower of good, is invoked to purify himself, granting brilliance and heroic strength, and placing wealth and nourishment within the worshipper. Agni is received for brilliance, his seat prepared, and the hope is expressed: just as Agni is most brilliant among the gods, so may the worshipper be among men. Indra, rising with strength and mighty arms, shakes the Soma pressed in the bowl. He is received for strength, his seat prepared, and the prayer follows: may the worshipper become the strongest among men, just as Indra is among the gods. Sūrya’s rays and visions shine forth among the people like fires. He is received for brilliance, his seat prepared, and the wish is made: may the worshipper be most radiant among men, just as Sūrya is among the gods. The rays carry up Jātavedas, the god, for all to see—the Sun—received for brilliance. Into the honey-bearing vessel, the drops are invited to enter, bringing nourishment. May the thousand-streamed, milk-rich abundance flow again, and wealth return. Offerings are made to Aditi and Sarasvatī, the desirable and shining ones of great renown, invoking delight and good deeds for the worshippers. Indra is called upon to strike down foes, subdue attackers, and drive away assailants. Whoever opposes is cast down to darkness. Indra is received for victory, his seat prepared. The lord of speech, the all-creator, swift in mind, is invoked for help in the contest, accepting all offerings and aiding with good deeds. Indra, as the all-creator, is received, his seat made ready. The all-creator, through offering and increase, made Indra invincible protector. Clans gather from all sides to invoke this mighty one, who is received as the all-creator. The ritual proceeds with offerings taken for Agni using the Gāyatrī meter, for Indra with the Triṣṭubh meter, for all gods with the Jagatī meter, and Anuṣṭubh as praise. Smoke offerings are made to the Vreśīna, Kukūnana, Bhandana, and other horses, as well as to the most intoxicating and sweetest, all offered in the form of the day and the rays of the sun. The form of the bull shines in the directions; the great Shukra leads Shukra, Soma leads Soma. The wakeful name born from Soma is accepted, and offerings are made to Soma. Soma, the beloved path of Agni, Indra, and all the gods, is invited to come, as a friend. Delight, steadfastness, and self-control are celebrated, nourishing the seat of the mother and granting abundance. The prosperity of the sacrificial session has been attained, becoming immortal light. Ascending from earth to heaven, the worshippers find the gods’ own light of the sun. Indra and Parvata, with foremost weapons, are invoked to strike down attackers, using thunderbolts, driving away enemies, and granting good offspring, strength, and prosperity. The names and roles of the gods are recited: Parameṣṭhin, Prajāpati, Andha the seer, Savitṛ in union, Viśvakarman in consecration, Pūṣan in the purchase of Soma. Indra and the Maruts rise for the purchase; Asura is bargained for, Mitra is bought, Viṣṇu seated in the thigh and driven away. Soma arrives; Varuṇa is seated on the bench, Agni at the fire altar, Indra in the offering place, Atharvan brought near. All gods are placed in the drops; Viṣṇu, the drinker of satisfaction, is filled, Yama pressed, Viṣṇu collected, Vāyu purified, Shukra purified, Shukra as the essence of milk, the churned as the essence of roasted grain. All gods are brought into the cups; Asura is raised for offering, Rudra invoked, Vāta turned about, the observant rejected, food eaten, and the Fathers and Nārāśaṃsas present. The river is raised for ablution, the ocean brought near, waters overflowing. By whose strength the regions are supported—Viṣṇu and Varuṇa—these unconquered rulers come at the first invocation. Through sacrifice, the gods went to heaven, men to the midspace, and Fathers to earth. From each world, wealth and goodness are wished for. The thirty-four threads stretched by those offering the sacrifice are restored together, and the hot drink is wished to reach the gods. The milk of the sacrifice spreads widely, extending eightfold to heaven. The worshipper wishes for great offspring, abundance, and a full life. Soma is called to flow forth with gold, horses, and heroes, bringing prizes rich in cattle. O Savitṛ, impel the sacrifice and the lord of sacrifice for good fortune. May the celestial Gandharva purify the sign, and the lord of speech taste the prize. The seats of firmness, men, mind, waters, ghee, sky, earth, midspace, heaven, gods, and firmament are approached and accepted, each seat made pleasing to Indra. The essence of the waters, upward-flowing and present in the sun, is gathered and taken for Indra, the seat made pleasing. Pressed offerings, carriers of nourishment, are presented to the inspired sage. The full measure of sustenance and strength is taken for Indra, the womb made pleasing, and the hope expressed that goodness may cover the worshipper, not evil. Indra’s thunderbolt and strength are invoked, strength established. At the birth of strength, the earth, the great mother, is declared Aditi, within whom the entire world has entered. The god Savitar is asked to establish right order within her. In the waters resides the immortal, the remedy. Among the waters, may the horses become swift. Divine waters, with their waves and surges, are invoked to establish strength. The wind, the mind, and the Gandharvas—these twenty-seven—first yoked the horse, placing swiftness within him. Thus, through invocation, offering, and praise, the divine powers are honored, the sacrifice upheld, and abundance, strength, brilliance, and prosperity are sought for all who participate.