With the sacred impulse of Savitṛ, the purifier, the rite began. All was cleansed through the flawless strainer, as if the sun’s very rays washed over the offerings, bestowing their brilliance and immortality. These offerings, radiant and bright, were prepared as the cherished abode and inviolable seat of sacrifice, dear to the gods and bearing their sacred name. The black earth was brought forth, chosen as the finest for the sacrificial pit, and sprinkled with reverence to please Agni. The altar itself was anointed, the sacred grass was laid and honored, and the ladles were blessed, each one pleasing to the divine. The coverings were spread for Aditi, the posts erected for Viṣṇu, and a wool-soft seat was arranged for the gods to rest upon. With each act, offerings were dedicated: svāhā to the lord of earth, to the lord of all worlds, and to the lord of beings. Gandharva Viśvāvasu was invoked to place the enclosure all around, ensuring safety for all. This sacred boundary was the right arm of Indra, set for the protection of the sacrificer, and Agni was called forth, invoked by Iḍā. Mitra and Varuṇa were asked to secure the north with firm law, so that all might be safe within the holy enclosure. Then, Agni was kindled, the radiant sage and vītihotra, the great one presiding over the sacrifice. The kindling was prepared and Sūrya was asked to guard it from any curse. These were the arms of Savitṛ, and again, the wool-soft seat was spread for the gods, inviting the Vasus, Rudras, and Ādityas to be present. Ghṛtācī, the ladle, was named and placed with loving radiance; Ghṛtācī, the upabhṛt, and Ghṛtācī, the steadfast, were also honored, each invited to sit and shine with their dear radiance. The steadfast ones took their seat in the womb of truth, and Viṣṇu was invoked to protect them, the sacrifice, the lord of the sacrifice, and the sacrificer himself. Agni, the winner of strength, was anointed as he proceeded, victorious and powerful. Salutations were offered to the gods, svadhā to the ancestors, and a wish was made for self-control. On this day, the sacrificer prayed to bring the clarified butter to the gods without spilling a drop. With Viṣṇu’s stride, he vowed not to overstep the bounds, and with Agni’s shadow, he sought prosperity, recognizing this as Viṣṇu’s station. Here, Indra had once performed his heroic deed, standing upright at the altar. Agni was acknowledged as the Hotṛ, the messenger, and his duties were praised. Heaven and Earth were asked to protect him, and as Sviṣṭakṛt, with ghee as the oblation, they were to shield the rite for the gods and for Indra. Light was joined with light. Then, a prayer was made for Indra to grant his power, for the generous one to bestow wealth, and for blessings to be true. Earth, the mother, was called upon to approach and to call out to her child. Agni was invoked from the Agnīdh with svāhā. Heaven, the father, was also called to approach and to summon his child. Once more, Agni was invoked from the Agnīdh with svāhā. The offerings were accepted at the impulse of Savitṛ, with the arms of the Aśvins and the hands of Pūṣan, and Agni was tasted with the tongue. This sacrifice, said the sacrificer, is declared to Bṛhaspati and to Brahman; through it, may the sacrifice, the lord of the sacrifice, and the sacrificer be protected. May the light of the mind enjoy the ghee, and may Bṛhaspati extend the sacrifice. May the rite be unharmed, and may all the gods rejoice here. “Om, proceed,” was intoned. Agni’s kindling was offered, that he might grow and be filled, and so too might the sacrificer and his people. Again, Agni, winner of strength, was anointed as he moved. The sacrificer declared he would not reject the prosperity of Agni and Soma, nor drive it away by his actions. He asked Agni and Soma to drive away those who hated and were hated, by the act of strength. The same prayer was made to Indra and Agni. Offerings were made for the Vasus, for the Rudras, and for the Ādityas. Heaven and Earth were invoked to be joined, Mitra and Varuṇa were asked to bring rain, and the birds were wished to fly forth, shaking their wings. The Pṛṣatī chariots of the Maruts were urged to become the spotted cow, to ascend to heaven, and bring rain. Agni was invoked as the guardian of sight, to protect the sacrificer’s vision. Agni was addressed with devotion, his enclosure protected by his hands. The sacrificer offered his favor, asking that none else deprive Agni of it, for the beloved path of Agni had been followed. All portions flowed together, great and placed upon the sacred grass, with the gods as enclosers. All the gods praised this sacred speech, took their seats on the barhis, and rejoiced. Svāhā was offered to the enclosure. The Ghṛtācī ladles, yoked at the yoke, were invited to drink and to bring good favor. With reverence and salutation, the sacrificer approached and was urged to stand firm in the auspicious part of the sacrifice and in his own good fortune. Agni, infallible and unaging, was invoked for protection—from lightning, from evil, from ill-will—and for prosperity and freedom from harm. Svāhā was offered to the enclosure, to Agni, lord of the assembly, and to Sarasvatī, bestower of glory. Agni was praised as knowledge itself, the knower for the gods, and was asked to become knowledge for the sacrificer. The gods, knowing the path, walk it, and the swift one of the mind was asked to carry the sacrifice and place it in the wind. The barhis was anointed with the oblation, with ghee, and with the Ādityas, Vasus, and Maruts. Indra, together with all the gods, was invoked to anoint it, that it might ascend to the heavenly sky. Svāhā. The ritual asked, “Who releases you? He releases you. To whom? To him.” Thus, for prosperity, the share of the Rakṣasas was set aside. May all unite with brilliance, with nourishment, with strong bodies, and with auspicious minds. Tvaṣṭṛ, the gracious giver, was asked to bestow wealth and cleanse away all impurities. Viṣṇu was invoked, striding in the sky, the midspace, and the earth with the meter of the Jagat, to remove those who hated and were hated. From this food and foundation, the sacrificers reached heaven and became united with the light. The self-born, the highest ray, the bestower of radiance, was asked to grant radiance, and what was covered of the sun was turned back. Agni, lord of the house, was invoked to be a good householder, so that the sacrificer might also be a good householder. May both stand together as householders, and may the household fires endure for a hundred winters. Again, what was covered of the sun was turned back. Agni, lord of vows, was told the vow had been observed and accomplished, and the sacrificer asked for its reward, affirming his true being. To Agni, the carrier of offerings to the ancestors, svāhā! To Soma, lord of the ancestors, svāhā! Demons and evil spirits at the altar were to be driven away. All forms the demons might take, their disguises and powers, those who bring obstacles or carry away, were to be expelled from Agni’s world. The ancestors were invited to rejoice, each according to their share, and to become invigorated. Homage was offered to them for sap, dryness, life, offerings, fierceness, wrath, and more. The sacrificer asked for food, blessings, and clothing from their houses. The ancestors were asked to receive the embryo, the boy with the lotus garland, just as a man does on earth. With strength and immortal offerings—clarified butter, milk, sweet drinks—the ancestors were to be satisfied. Agni was worshipped with kindling, the guest awakened with offerings of ghee, and oblations were made. To the well-kindled flame, strong ghee was offered, to Agni, knower of all births. With kindling sticks and ghee, Agni, of great radiance and the youngest one, was made to grow. Ghee-bearing, oblation-rich offerings were brought to Agni; the kindling sticks were accepted. Bhūr, Bhuvaḥ, Svaḥ—the earth, vast and broad, was invoked. Upon her back, born for the gods, Agni, the eater of food, was placed for the sake of nourishment. Thus, the sacrifice unfolded, each act and utterance weaving together the divine and the earthly, ensuring protection, blessing, and unity with the light.