In ancient times, the sage-priest, who had offered all the worlds, sat as a father among his people. Seeking wealth and blessings, he entered the lower realms first, paving the way for others. The minds of the wise turned to questions: What was the foundation of all? What was the beginning? What was the true story of creation? From where did Viśvakarman, the all-seeing architect of the universe, create the earth and stretch out the sky with his immense greatness? Viśvakarman was everywhere—his eyes, face, arms, and feet pervaded all directions. With his arms and wings, he breathed life into heaven and earth, standing as the one god who fashioned these realms. The sages pondered further: What was the forest, and what the tree from which heaven and earth were shaped? Their minds searched for that which upheld the worlds, bearing them securely. O Viśvakarman, your highest abodes, your intermediate and earthly realms—teach these to your companions, O self-sustaining one. Offer yourself, growing in strength, to earth and heaven. Let rivals nearby be confounded, and may Maghavan be our wise benefactor. Today, let us invoke Viśvakarman, lord of speech, swift in mind, for strength. May he delight in our offerings, the all-beneficent, doer of good, aiding us. Through the increase of offering, Viśvakarman made Indra the invincible protector. Since ancient times, all peoples have bowed to him together—this mighty one must be invoked as is fitting. The wise father of vision, with his mind, created clarified butter in the names of things. When the ends were firmly fixed, heaven and earth expanded. Viśvakarman, with his mind, departed from here—the creator, arranger, highest seer. Their desired offerings are enjoyed together, where the seven sages speak of the one beyond. He is our father, creator, arranger, who knows the abodes and all the worlds, and alone names the gods. Other worlds come to him for inquiry. Long ago, ancient sages and singers offered wealth together for us. In the realm of light and darkness, the beings who existed made these worlds. Beyond the sky, beyond the earth, beyond all that exists among gods and spirits—what first embryo did the waters bear, where the ancient gods beheld together? That first embryo the waters bore, where all the gods gathered. Upon the navel of the unborn, the one was placed, in whom all worlds stand. Yet, you do not know him who created these; something different has arisen among you. Covered by mist, speaking confusedly, they wander, unsatisfied, reciting hymns. 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. Swift, roaring, mighty as a bull, thunderous, shaking the peoples—the victorious, unblinking, sole hero, together with Indra, conquered a hundred armies. With the victorious, unblinking, fierce, impetuous, difficult-to-move, bold—conquer with Indra, stand together, O men, in battle with the mighty, arrow-handed. He, with arrows in hand, with sword-bearers, the master, joined in battle, Indra with his host—victorious in union, Soma-drinker, strong-armed, fierce-bowed, stands firm with those who resist. O Brihaspati, drive around with your chariot, destroyer of demons and enemies—push them away, break their armies, crush them in battle. Victorious, be the prosperer and protector of our chariots. Knowing strength, steadfast, heroic, mighty, swift, enduring, fierce—surpassing in valor and power, born of strength—Indra, mount the victorious chariot, bringer of cattle. Breaker of enclosures, finder of cattle, thunder-armed, triumphant, crushing obstacles with power—O companions, emulate this kinship, strive together with Indra. Indra, the hero, hundred-powered, plunges into enclosures with force—difficult to displace, destroyer of armies, unconquerable—may he protect our army in battle. Let Indra be the leader, Brihaspati the right hand, sacrifice the foundation, Soma the front; among the divine hosts, let the Maruts guide the victorious and conquering ones. The cry of Indra the mighty, Varuna the king, the Adityas, the fierce host of the Maruts, the great-minded, movers of the worlds—let the shout of the victorious gods rise up. Raise up, O Maghavan, the weapons; raise up the minds of my warriors; raise up, slayer of Vritra, the steeds of the steeds; let the cries of the victorious chariots resound. Let Indra be with our banners in assembly; let our arrows be victorious; let our heroes be supreme; O gods, protect us in our offerings. Enticing the minds of these, take their limbs and depart; go forth, burn them in their hearts with flames; let the enemies be joined with blindness and darkness. Released, fly away, O arrow, sharpened by prayer; go, strike the enemies, spare none of them. Go forth, be victorious, O men; may Indra grant you protection; let your arms be fierce, invincible, as you are. That army of the Maruts of the others approaches, striving with power; conceal it with darkness and secrecy, so they do not recognize one another. Where arrows fly, where youths rush like shafts, there may Indra, Brihaspati, and Aditi grant protection—may they always grant protection. I cover your vital parts with armor; may Soma, king, envelop you with immortality; may Varuna make your path broad; may the gods rejoice in your victory. Lead him upward, O Agni, with the upper offering of ghee; grant him wealth and offspring, make him abundant. O Indra, lead this one across, master among his kin; endow him with the radiance of the gods, let him be a sharer in their portion. Whose house we make the offering in, O Agni, increase him; to him the gods declare, and Brahmanaspati as well. May all the gods raise you up, O Agni, with their thoughts; may you, O radiant one of auspicious form, bring us abundant blessings. May the five divine directions, the goddesses, protect the sacrifice, repelling harm and evil intent; bestowing wealth, they grant the lordship of the sacrifice, and upon the increase of wealth, the sacrifice is established. When Agni is kindled, may I be magnified upon him, worthy of praise, grasped by hymns. Having embraced the heated Gharma, they worship, as the gods performed the sacrifice for strength. For the divine supporter and enjoyer, endowed with divine splendor, glorious, and possessing a hundredfold wealth, the gods, having embraced the sacrifice, approached; the priests stood among the gods for the gods.