A hymn of praise rose to Rudra, the revered father of the Maruts, words sweet and growing ever sweeter, offered in hope that he, the immortal, might grant mortal sustenance. The supplicants entreated Rudra for his graciousness, not only for themselves but for their children and all their descendants yet to come. With deep reverence, they pleaded: “Harm not our elders nor our little ones, neither those who are growing nor those who are grown. Spare our father and mother, O Rudra, and protect our beloved bodies from injury.” Their prayers extended further: “Do not harm our offspring, our children, nor take our lives. Spare us among our cattle and horses. Rudra, do not slay our heroes, for we, who offer you oblations without ceasing, call upon you always.” As a herdsman gathers his cattle, so did the worshippers gather their praises for Rudra, seeking his favor as the compassionate father of the Maruts. They recognized his benevolent thought as supremely auspicious and merciful, and thus, they chose him alone as their protector. They prayed that Rudra’s favor be withdrawn from those who harm cattle or men, and that his kindness remain with them. They begged his gracious advocacy and mighty protection. With words of reverence, they addressed Rudra as their helper, hoping he would heed their call, accompanied by the Maruts. They also invoked Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, and the very river, earth, and sky, asking that none of these divine powers bring them harm. Then, as dawn broke, the resplendent face of the gods arose—the radiant eye of Mitra, Varuna, and Agni. The sun, the soul of all that moves and stands, filled the heavens, earth, and atmosphere with its light. As the sun approached the goddess Dawn, like a youth approaching a maiden from behind, people, rising to worship the gods, yoked their chariots and set out, each seeking goodness. The sun’s horses were splendid—tawny, auspicious, and easy to guide. Bowing, they ascended the back of the sky, swiftly traversing the realms of heaven and earth. This was the divinity and greatness of the sun, shining at the heart of the Creator’s work. When the sun’s tawny horses were yoked, night spread her garment for him. On the lap of the sky, the sun revealed the forms of Mitra and Varuna. One strength shone endlessly bright, another was dark, and the sun’s tawny steeds bore both. As the sun rose, the people prayed: “O gods, protect us today from sin and fault. Let not Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, or the sky bring us harm.” Next, the praises turned to the two Asvins. “We spread our praises for you as the wind spreads the clouds,” they sang. The Asvins, swift and victorious, brought joy to the childless by uniting them with a spouse, arriving in their chariot as comrades in battle. With golden horses or the swift helpers of the gods, the Asvins’ ass once triumphed in Yama’s contest, winning a thousandfold prize. When Bhujyu was in dire distress, Tugra called upon the Asvins, for none but they could save him. They carried Bhujyu across the vast atmosphere in their waterless ships. For three nights and three times, with flying steeds, they bore him like birds over the ocean’s expanse, employing three chariots with a hundred wheels and six horses. In a place without support or foundation, at the very edge of the ocean, the Asvins showed their might, bringing Bhujyu safely aboard a ship with a hundred oars. To Yama, the one with many horses, the Asvins gave a white horse for lasting welfare—a great and praiseworthy gift, always to be invoked, ever victorious. For Pajriya and Kakṣīvat, the heroic twins broke open treasures and made a hundred jars of strong drink flow from the hoof of a mighty horse. When fire was threatened by cold, the Asvins protected it and bestowed nourishing strength. For the helpless sage Atri, they brought his entire company to safety. For Gotama, they made a deep well with a crooked rim, and waters flowed like streams, quenching his thirst and granting him wealth a thousandfold. The Asvins, called Nāsatyas, freed Cyavāna from bonds, restoring his life and making him lord of the maidens. They brought forth for worship what was hidden, as from a secret treasure. When Dadhyañc Atharvaṇa revealed to them the knowledge he had learned with the horse’s head, they received it as thunder brings rain. Purubhujā, generous and devout, invoked the Asvins for great help, and they responded, as they had to Vadhri’s wife, granting the golden-handed one. They released a sitting bird from the wolf’s jaws and bestowed discernment on the suffering poet. For Vispala, whose leg was lost in the night’s contest, they fashioned an iron limb, enabling her to win the prize in the contest for wealth. To the blind Ṛjrāśva, whose own father had made him blind, the wondrous Ashvins, faultless healers, restored his sight and gave him a hundred sheep. The daughter of the Sun herself mounted their chariot, shining with the skill of a craftsman and victorious with her horse; all the gods rejoiced, and the Asvins shared in her glory. When they brought light for Divodāsa and Bharadvāja, their chariot moved in harmony, drawn by a bull and a dolphin yoked together, bringing prosperity. To Jahnavi, they brought wealth, noble rule, offspring, long life, and heroic strength, granting her a threefold share of the day. Jahusha, surrounded by danger, was carried safely by night through the spaces by the Asvins’ swift chariots, which crossed the ageless mountains. For the sake of a single dwelling, they brought riches for battle, thousands for victory, and, aided by Indra, drove away the hostile ones, striking down the enemies. Even for a single arrow or for one lying down, the Asvins readied their steeds to protect, filling the eager youth’s cow with milk. To all who called and praised, the Nasatyas responded, granting the seeker his heart’s desire, as one finds a lost animal. For ten nights and nine days, Rebha was bound and fettered within the waters, separated and crying aloud. The Ashvins led him forth, as Soma is poured with the ladle. Having recounted all these wondrous deeds, the singer prayed: “May I be lord of good cattle and good heroes; may I see and eat and attain long life, reaching old age as one journeys to the sunset.” Again, the ancient priest called upon the Asvins for the exhilaration of sweet Soma. The offering was prepared, rich and renowned, inviting the Nasatyas to come with strength. Their chariot, swifter than the mind and drawn by good horses, came to the people, reaching the homes of the righteous. The people prayed that this path be brought to them. The Asvins released the sage Atri, son of Pañcajana, from distress, accompanied by their company. They struck down the unkind powers of the hostile, ever mighty, and urged on in due order. Thus, the hymns resounded: prayers for protection, gratitude for divine rescue, and celebration of the gods’ boundless mercy and miraculous deeds.