In the sacred dawn, the sages raised their voices in humble invocation, calling upon the revered goddesses Bhāratī, Iḷā, Sarasvatī, and all the divine powers they held dear. With reverence, they pleaded, “Inspire us to glory, O goddesses, and fill our hearts with your blessings.” They remembered Tvaṣṭṛ, the sovereign artisan of the cosmos, who had skillfully shaped all forms and creatures. To him they offered their prayers, asking that he bestow upon them the abundance of all he had fashioned. Turning to the Lord of the Forest, they entreated, “Let your nourishing sap flow for the gods, and let Agni, the radiant one, bear our offerings upon his flames.” Agni, the leader of the gods, was invoked with special devotion. United with the sacred Gāyatrī, he blazed forth in the utterances of “svāhā,” sanctifying every act of worship. The sages prayed, “Agni, guide us along the good and prosperous path, for you know all the ways. Keep us from crooked sin, O god. To you, we offer our highest praise.” They pleaded with Agni to carry them across all hardships and dangers, asking that with his blessings, Pūṣan and the broad, nurturing earth would show favor to their children and descendants. “Drive away all hostility from us,” they prayed, “whether from those who lack fire or from hostile tribes. For our well-being, grant us land and peace among all the immortals, O worthy one.” With deep trust, they sought Agni’s unfailing protection, asking him to shine in his beloved seat and to keep fear far from his worshippers. “Reveal to us your greater strength,” they asked, “and let no evil-doer, enemy, or malicious one overpower us. Banish the thief, the deceiver, and the reviler; drive them far away, mighty Agni.” Recognizing Agni as the guardian born of truth, they declared, “You protect the singer and all who seek your shelter. Against those who wish us harm, you stand as our universal guardian.” They trusted Agni’s wisdom to discern both sides and to seek out the ancient path for humanity, guiding those who strive for greatness and inspiring the seers. Their utterances were offered in the presence of the mind’s child, in the mighty fire, with the hope that together with a thousand sages, they might attain strength and understand the enduring, nourishing people. Turning their praise to Brihaspati, the bull with the gentle tongue, they exalted him with fresh hymns. His radiant songs were heard by gods and mortals alike, renewing their minds. The priests joined their voices in devotion, their praise flowing like a swift current to Brihaspati, who was remembered by Matarishvan for his power and swiftness. They honored him, fierce and unique in his resolve, mighty and protective, whose hymn rose like the arms of Savitar, filling heaven and earth with its resonance. Like a charioteer, Brihaspati’s song carried the unseen burdens, and his power overcame obstacles as wild beasts cross the land. Even those who underestimated Brihaspati, thinking him weak, found prosperity by approaching him for good fortune, for he withheld no gifts from the deserving and granted favor even to the humble. The path of the generous was well-trodden, like that of a friendly companion, and those who looked kindly upon the people stood fulfilled and abundant. Their praise, like waters flowing to the ocean, never went astray, and Brihaspati, knowing the truth within, crossed barriers like a vulture over the waters. Thus, they established Brihaspati, mighty and great, as the bull and the god, praying that he grant them heroic strength and cattle, and that they might know the enduring, nourishing people. Amidst all these blessings, the sages became aware of the unseen forces that moved mysteriously in the world. They spoke of the cries of the heron and the satina-heron, and the enigmatic “Plushi,” the unseen ones who settled without touching. These unseen beings struck those who approached and departed, attacking from above and grinding down those below. Arrows, grasses, and reeds—false and real—along with the munja grass and all the unseen enemies, gathered but did not touch. The cows found shelter in their pens, wild animals roamed, and among people, signs of the unseen lingered, yet still they did not touch. At dusk, these unseen ones appeared like thieves, visible to all, awakened and alert. The sages recognized heaven as their father, earth as their mother, Soma as their brother, and Aditi as their sister; the unseen ones, now seen by all, stood as witnesses, and the people prayed for safe passage. They called for the subduing of all unseen forces—those on the shoulder, on the limb, needle-like, or prakaṅkata—so that all together, they might be subdued. As the sun rose before all, destroyer of the unseen, he subdued every hidden force and sorcerer. The Aditya, shining from the mountains, drove away all afflictions, and the bond of life was preserved by the sweetness of strength and action. Even the little bird who ate poison with them did not perish, nor did the people, for the measure of the poison was taken and sweetened by the honey-maker. Three times seven sparks, the fruits of poison, were seen, yet none perished, for the measure was taken and honey bestowed. Of the ninety-nine poisonous ones and sprouts, all their names were known, and none perished, for the honey-maker’s work was sweet. Three times seven peahens, the seven sisters, carried the poison away as water in jars. The Kuṣumbhaka was broken with a stone, and the poison was expelled, flowing away. Kuṣumbhaka, rolling down the mountain, declared, “The poison of the scorpion is tasteless; tasteless is your poison, O scorpion.” In the midst of these prayers and protections, Agni was worshipped as the radiant one who shines with the heavens, swift among the waters, present in the forests, plants, and among men. Born pure, Agni was honored as the Hotar, the Potar, the priest, the Neshṭar, the Agnidh, the supervisor, the Praśāstar at sacrifice, the Brahman, and the householder in every home. Agni was recognized as Indra, the mighty bull, as Vishnu, wide-striding and revered, as Brahmanaspati, lord of prayer and wealth, and as the arranger who joins with the generous. He was Varuna, steadfast in vows, Mitra, wondrous and praiseworthy, Aryaman, the true lord, and Aṃśa, the god who receives a share in the rite. Thus, the sages’ prayers and hymns wove together the blessings of the gods, the protection of Agni, the wisdom of Brihaspati, and the subduing of all unseen dangers, so that the people might live in strength, abundance, and harmony, ever nourished by the eternal light of the divine.