Hear now the sacred tale as revealed in the Atharva Veda, a tapestry of praise, invocation, and remembrance woven for gods, ancestors, and the departed. Upon this earth, the immortal essence of the gods is sustained—born of the cow, nourished by the sacrificial rite. All the gods attend to the sacred utterance, drawn by the heavenly ghee that is milked in worship. Yet, questions stir among mortals: “Which king has claimed us? When will he arrive? What vows have we made?” Even Mitra, in his sacrifice, calls upon the gods, and though the hymn itself does not depart, it is filled with strength. Let the one of evil intent be kept far from the name of immortality, for such a soul, adorned with false marks and shifting forms, is not worthy. O Agni, if any one thinks of Yama with pure mind, protect him swiftly, keep him from going astray. Within the assembly where the gods rejoice, in the very seat of Vivasvat, the gods are established. They set light within the sun, and about him, ever-moving, they arranged the shining rays. The gods move in thought within him, yet his lower nature remains unknown to mortals. May Mitra, Aryaman, Savitar, and Varuna, flawless and wise, speak here on our behalf. Friends, let us seek prayers for Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, the most heroic and mighty one. By his strength, Indra is renowned—slayer of Vritra, surpassing all worshippers with his generous gifts. Like a tireless plough, he moves over the earth. May the great winds blow upon us, and may Mitra, Varuna, and Agni, yoked together, not scorch the forests with their heat. Let us praise the renowned one, Rudra, deep-seated, king of peoples, formidable, mighty smiter. O Rudra, being praised, be gracious to your worshippers; let your army strike down others, not us. The worshippers call upon Sarasvati—at sacrifice, in striving, in all good deeds. May Sarasvati grant the desired boon to the worshipper. The fathers, too, call upon her, they who attend the sacrifice with gifts. Seated upon the sacred grass, they rejoice; O sinless one, bestow food upon us. O Sarasvati, riding your chariot, delighting in hymns and your own powers, together with the fathers, grant the worshipper a thousandfold share of food and wealth. May the lower, higher, and middle fathers, enjoyers of Soma, arise—those who went forth sinless, knowing the truth—may they protect us at the offerings. I have heard of the wise fathers, and of the stride and offspring of Vishnu. Those seated on the sacred grass, who with their power partake of the pressed Soma—may they come here most willingly. Homage today to all the fathers—those ancient, those recent, those departed; whether settled in the earth or abiding in the well-peopled directions. Mātali with the Kavyas, Yama with the Angirases, Brihaspati strengthened with the Rkvans, those whom the gods have empowered, and those who are themselves gods—may all these fathers protect us at the offerings. This offering is sweet, honeyed, strong, and full of flavor. None who has tasted it, O Indra, is overcome in battle. Honor Yama, the king, the gatherer of peoples, son of Vivasvat, who has traversed many paths and distances. Yama first discovered the path for mortals. This pasture is not to be taken away; it is where our forefathers, the departed, have gone, all who followed the same law, along the same path. O fathers seated on the sacred grass, come near with your aid. We have prepared these offerings for you—accept them, grant us health and sinlessness. Let all the gods, sitting with bent right knee, accept this offering. Let not the fathers harm us for any human error we may have committed. Tvaṣṭṛ made a husband for his daughter, thus uniting the whole world. The mother of Yama, embraced, vanished as the wife of Vivasvat in greatness. Go forth now, walk on the ancient paths by which your forefathers have departed. There you will see Yama and Varuṇa, both kings, rejoicing in their own domain. Depart, move away, scatter in all directions; the fathers have made this world for him. By days, by waters, by nights, Yama clearly grants him his resting place. With brightness we kindle you, O fire; with brightness we set you ablaze. O bright one, bring the fathers here to the offering, to the sacrificial fire. With radiance we kindle you, with radiance we set you ablaze. O radiant one, bring the radiant fathers here to the offering. May the Angirases, our fathers, the Navagvas, the Atharvans, the Bhṛgus, the Soma-rich ones—may we be in their good favor and gracious mind, for they are worthy of sacrifice. Come here, Yama, with the worthy Angirases; delight with the multiform ones. I call Vivasvat, your father; sit here on this sacred grass. O Yama, do not ascend this sacred grass, but join with the Angirases and the fathers. May the hymns composed by sages bring you, O king; rejoice in this offering. From here they have ascended, risen to the heights of heaven. As victors on a path, the Angirases have gone to the sky. For Yama, Soma is purified; for him, the offering is made. To Yama, indeed, the sacrifice goes, sent by Agni as a well-prepared messenger. Offer the sweetest, honeyed oblation to Yama, and stand forth. This is homage to the ancient seers, the forefathers, those who made the paths before us. Offer to Yama, the king, the oblation of ghee and milk. May he grant us long life among the living. O Agni, do not burn him up, do not scorch him, do not consume his skin or body. When you have cooked him, O Jātavedas, send him forth to the fathers. If he goes astray, to the path of unrighteousness, he becomes subject to the powers of the gods. With the three Kadrus, Soma is purified; with six broad vessels, this great one. All the meters—Triṣṭubh, Gāyatrī—are offered to Yama. Go with your eye to the sun, with your breath to the wind; go to heaven and earth by righteousness. Or, if you wish, go to the waters, or remain among the plants with your body. The unborn portion is of austerity; practice austerity for that. Let your flame burn for that, your light shine for that. With those auspicious forms of yours, O Jātavedas, carry him to the world of the righteous. O Jātavedas, your swift and shining flames fill the sky and midspace—let them follow the one who is led forth, and with your most auspicious flames, make him pure. Release him again, O Agni, to the fathers, the one who, offered, moves about with oblations. Let the remainder, clothed in life, approach, shining in body, and join together. Thus is the sacred path of offerings, remembrance, and passage—where the gods, the fathers, and the departed are honored, and the living are blessed with health, guidance, and peace.