As the ancient seers gazed upon the earth, they invoked her blessings, wishing that their sight might extend as far as the sun’s rays reach across the land. They prayed that their vision would never falter, nor would they lose the highest span of their perception. Whenever they lay down upon the earth—whether facing south, seeking friendship, resting on her western side, or simply reclining—they asked that she protect them, causing no harm to any part of their bodies. With reverence, they acknowledged that whatever they dug from the earth, she would swiftly replenish, for she is vast and nurturing. They pleaded that their actions would not injure her vital parts or her heart. The earth’s seasons—summer, rains, autumn, winter, cool, and spring—are firmly established, along with her years, days, and nights. May she, the provider, yield her nourishing milk to all. The earth is wide-ranging, bearing serpents and kindling fires within herself; she holds the waters, casts away foes, and grants divine favor. Choosing Indra, the mighty bull, she set herself for the slayer of Vṛtra. Upon her, the sacrificial posts are erected, altars are built, and priests worship with hymns, songs, and rituals. Here, officiants prepare Soma for Indra’s delight. Upon this earth, the ancient seers—creators of beings—sang out with cows, seven in their rite, performing sacrifice and austerity alongside the Maker. May this earth grant the wealth desired, with Bhaga bestowing it and Indra, the foremost, leading the way. On earth, people sing and dance, mortals dwell, battles rage, drums resound, and shouts echo. May she drive away rivals and make her devotees free from foes. On her, food, rice, and barley grow, and five peoples dwell; homage is given to earth, spouse of the rain-bringer, abundant in rain. On her fields stand cities made by the gods, and their works are performed. May Prajapati, lord of creatures, make the earth fruitful in every region. She bears treasures in many forms, hidden wealth; may she give jewels and gold, and grant riches and favor. The earth is home to people of many kinds, languages, and customs. May she yield a thousand streams of wealth, steady as an unshaken cow. Within her lie serpents, scorpions, biting insects, creatures born in winter or lurking in the rainy season; may none approach, and may she be gracious with what is auspicious. Countless paths crisscross her surface—tracks for chariots and travelers, ways for both good and evil. May her devotees conquer these paths, free from enemies and thieves, with auspicious favor. Bearing soil and enduring weight, patient through both good and evil, earth is united with the boar, offering herself to the beast. Wild animals roam her forests—lions, tigers, wolves, bears, and demons. May earth drive away these threats, keeping them far from her children. Gandharvas, Apsarases, spies, Kimidins, ghosts, and demons are present; may earth drive them away. Upon her, birds descend—swans, eagles, all flying creatures. The wind, Mātariśvan, moves across her, stirring dust and shaking trees with its force and blaze. Upon earth, black and red are joined, day and night established, encircled by the year. May she grant a beloved dwelling in her auspicious abode. Heaven, earth, and the atmosphere have given their expanse; Agni, Sūrya, waters, intelligence, and all the gods have bestowed their gifts. The devotee declares, “I am enduring, I am the uppermost, named upon the earth. I am victorious, all-conquering, master of desires, destroyer of hopes.” That greatness, O goddess earth, was first spoken by the gods and spread forth. Well-born, she entered and established the four directions. Villages and wilderness, assemblies and battles, gatherings upon earth—may her devotees speak well among them. Like a horse stirring dust, the people who measured earth were born—the foremost, delightful, guardian of the world, the grasp of trees, the hold of plants. What is spoken is honeyed and victorious; what is seen obeys; radiance and vigor abound, and opposition is struck down. Earth is peaceful, fragrant, pleasant, rich in milk, abundant in nourishment. May she speak for her devotees and be with them, together with her milk. Viśvakarman sought her with offerings, entered the inner sea and dust; she is the vessel for enjoyment, placed secretly, appearing openly among mothers. Earth is the support of people, Aditi, wish-fulfilling and spreading forth; whatever is lacking, she fills up, and Prajāpati, first-born of truth, guides her. May her lap be free from disease, without sickness for her children; may her offspring be healthy, and may her devotees awaken to long life, offering to her. Mother Earth is invoked to place her children well, firmly established in auspiciousness, united with heaven, granting glory in prosperity. Then, the prayer turns to healing: “Grow, reed, grow; your place is not here. Take this lead as your portion, and with it, let disease among cattle and people descend to the lowest depths.” With the two hands of the curse and its imitation, all disease and death are driven away. Death, destruction, hostility—all are banished. Whoever hates, let Agni consume the flesh of the dead; the hated are handed over to Agni. If Agni the flesh-eater, or a tiger, or any being enters the cattle-pen, an offering of beans and butter is made, and they are driven far away—to the waters, or to other fires. Whatever the angry ones have done in wrath against a dead man, with Agni’s favor, restoration and rekindling are sought. Again, may the Ādityas, Rudras, Vasus, Brahmā, and givers of wealth, along with Bṛhaspati, grant long life for a hundred autumns. If the flesh-eating Agni has entered the house, seeing another Jātavedas, he is removed for the ancestral offering, to kindle the sacred fire in the highest abode. The flesh-eating Agni is driven far away; let the stream of enemies go to Yama, king of the dead. Here, the other Jātavedas, the god, carries the offering to the gods, knowing it. Finally, the flesh-eating Agni is removed, impelled, who slays people with the thunderbolt of death. He is commanded with the household fire, knowing his place; his share is among the ancestors’ world. Thus, the earth is honored, protected, and invoked for blessings, wealth, health, and prosperity, as the prayers and rituals of the seers weave a tapestry of reverence and harmony between humanity and the sacred ground beneath their feet.