The story begins with a prayer for protection and purity. The waters descend and find their rest in the ocean, just as all things seek their rightful place. The flames of Agni, the sacred fire, are invoked: “Let your fire, O Agni, burn away others’ impurities, but spare us. Be pure and auspicious for us.” Agni, the pure and radiant one, with his shining light and delightful, divine tongue, is called upon to bring the gods near, to carry the offerings and sacrifices to them. Again, Agni is entreated: “O pure and shining one, bring the gods here. Bring our sacrifice, our offerings.” Through Agni’s discerning and compassionate power, the earth is illuminated, as dawn brightens the world with its rays. Agni is swift like a horse, restless as the wind, ever youthful and eager for praise. With reverence, salutations are offered to Agni’s flame, to his burning, to his radiant light. The plea is repeated: “Let your flames burn others, not us. Be pure and auspicious for us.” For Agni is the lord among men, among waters, among grasses, among trees, and among all lights. The gods, those worthy among the worthy, who sit by the portion of the year, are invited to partake of the honey and ghee of the sacrifice, even if uninvited, for they are always welcome. These gods, who attained divinity and serve as priests of Brahman, are essential—without them, nothing is purified, neither in heaven, nor on earth, nor in the waters. These divine beings are the givers of breath, exhalation, circulation, radiance, and space. Once more, the prayer: “Let your flames burn others, not us. Be pure and auspicious for us.” Agni, with your sharp flame, burn away all impurity; bring us wealth. It is remembered that the sage, the priest, who offered all these worlds, sat as a father to all. Desiring blessings and wealth, he was the first to enter the lower realms. But what was the foundation of all? What was the beginning, the story? From where did Viśvakarman, the all-seeing, create the earth and stretch out the sky with his greatness? Viśvakarman, with eyes, face, arms, and feet everywhere, moves with power, creating heaven and earth. The wise ponder: what was the forest, what was the tree from which heaven and earth were fashioned? They inquire into that which upholds and bears the worlds. O Viśvakarman, self-sustaining one, teach your companions about your highest, intermediate, and earthly abodes; offer yourself, growing in strength. Through sacrifice, Viśvakarman grows, offering himself to earth and heaven. Let rivals be confused, but let Maghavan (Indra) be our wise benefactor. Today, Viśvakarman, lord of speech, swift in mind, is invoked for strength. May he delight in all our offerings, for he is all-beneficent and the doer of good. Through the increase of offering, Viśvakarman made Indra the invincible protector, to whom all peoples bow since ancient times. This mighty one is to be invoked as is fitting. The wise father of vision, with his mind, created clarified butter in the names; when the boundaries were fixed, then heaven and earth expanded. Viśvakarman, with his mind, departed from here—the creator, the arranger, the highest seer. Where the seven sages speak of the one beyond, their desired offerings are shared. He is our father, our creator, our arranger, who knows all abodes and worlds, who alone names the gods; other worlds seek him for understanding. The ancient sages, the singers, offered wealth together for us. In the realm of light and darkness, those beings made these worlds. Beyond the sky, beyond the earth, beyond what exists among gods and spirits—the waters bore the first embryo, where the ancient gods beheld together. That first embryo, carried by the waters, became the navel of the unborn, the place where all the worlds stand. Yet, not all know the one who created these. Confusion arises, veiled in mist, and some wander unsatisfied, reciting hymns but not understanding. Viśvakarman was born as a god; then the Gandharva became the second; the third, the father, created the herbs and placed the embryo of the waters in many places. A mighty, roaring, bull-like power—swift and thunderous—shakes the peoples. Victorious and unblinking, the sole hero, together with Indra, conquers a hundred armies. With these fierce, impetuous heroes, difficult to move, bold and victorious, Indra stands firm in battle, arrow in hand, sword-bearers at his side. Brihaspati, destroyer of demons and enemies, rides his chariot, scattering foes and breaking their armies, victorious and prosperous, protector of our chariots. Indra, steadfast and mighty, surpassing all in valor and power, is called to mount the victorious chariot and bring cattle as spoils. Indra, breaker of enclosures, finder of cattle, armed with thunder, crushes obstacles. His companions are urged to emulate his kinship and strive together with him. The hero Indra, mighty and unconquerable, plunges into the enemy enclosures, protecting our army in battle. Let Indra lead, Brihaspati be the right hand, sacrifice be the foundation, and Soma be the front. Among the divine hosts, let the Maruts guide the victorious. The cry of mighty Indra, Varuna the king, the Adityas, and the fierce Maruts rises up—the shout of the victorious gods. Maghavan (Indra) is called to raise the weapons, inspire the warriors, and rouse the steeds. Let the cries of victorious chariots resound. In assembly, let Indra be with our banners; let our arrows be victorious, our heroes supreme, and may the gods protect us in our offerings. The prayer turns to the enemies: “Enticing their minds, take their limbs and depart; burn them in their hearts with flames; let them be joined with blindness and darkness.” The arrow, released and sharpened by prayer, is sent to strike the enemies, sparing none. Finally, the call goes out: “Go forth, be victorious, O men. May Indra grant you protection. Let your arms be fierce and invincible as you are.” Thus, with the blessings of the gods, the pure flames of Agni, and the might of Indra and his companions, the people stand ready—protected, purified, and victorious.