The sages gathered in reverence, their hearts intent upon the sacred fire. “Agni,” they prayed, “may we bring you to a dwelling that prospers the people, and may we offer you generous praise worthy of the bountiful. Let all that is auspicious, watched over by the gods, be ours. May we speak with might in the assembly, strong in the fellowship of men.” For Vasiṣṭha, the men channeled the waters, pouring them forth, milking them with stones and channels. “Indra,” they called, “drink with svāhā the well-offered soma, acclaimed with vaṣaṭ, first from the hotṛ, for you are the lord.” The sacrifice was blended with swift, speckled steeds and shining spears, anointed and beloved. The sons of Bharata, seated upon the sacred grass, were invited: “O men of heaven, drink the soma from the potṛ.” The priests called out, “Gracious ones, come to us! Sit upon the sacred grass and be victorious. Delight in the soma, O Tvaṣṭar, along with the divine generations—rejoice, O joyful company!” The gods were summoned: “Come, O Hotṛ, inspired one, always take your seat in the three places. Accept the soma that has been poured, drink the honeyed draught from the Agnīdh’s portion, and be satisfied with your share.” The strength of the gods was praised: “This, indeed, is the power of your form—manliness, vigor, and might placed in your arms. For you is the pressed soma, for you the offering. Take and drink to your satisfaction, O brāhmaṇa.” The kings were invited: “Accept the sacrifice, know my invocation, seated as Hotṛ, following the ancient announcements. To you, O kings, this reverence is offered—come and drink the honeyed soma from the proclaimer.” The offering continued: “Rejoice in the oblation, as you desire the soma, O Hotṛ. The Adhvaryus pour out the full libation for him. Therefore, O Bharata, give as he wishes, drink the soma from the Hotṛ, O bestower of wealth, in due order.” The invoked one was called again: “Whom I invoked before, now I invoke again—let the giver bearing the name come. Drink the honeyed soma, pressed by the Adhvaryus, from the Potṛ, O bestower of wealth, in due order.” The prayers for protection and life were fervent: “May your fires be kindled, O Lord of the Forest, as you proceed unharmed. For long life, with your protection, drink the soma from the Neṣṭṛ, O bestower of wealth, in due order.” The gods had drunk from the Hotṛ, Potṛ, and Neṣṭṛ, enjoying the prepared offerings. “Let the fourth vessel, unsoiled and immortal, be for the bestowers of wealth to drink from the bestower of wealth.” The call to action was sounded: “Today, harness your excellent, man-carrying chariot, bring it here for your release. Mix the offerings with honey, come, and drink the soma, O possessors of wealth in horses.” Agni was invoked: “Accept the kindling, the oblation, the sacred utterance, and the good praise. With all the gods and all the seasons, O shining one, make the offering pleasing.” As the ritual unfolded, Savitṛ, the divine impeller, rose. The ever-shining fire took its place among the waters. Now Savitṛ bestowed treasure upon the gods and apportioned the sacrificial portion for well-being. “O god,” the sages intoned, “for the hearing of all, you stretch forth your broad-handed arms upward. Even the waters keep your law, and the wind delights in your circuit.” Savitṛ’s ordinance was mighty: he released the bound, even the unsteady and slothful, and among the swift and restless, his law was observed. The wise one set the woven web together again, placing the mid-region in the midst of the maker, drawing forth the fountain, and standing by the seasons with his intention. No house, no evil, nor the span of life could withstand the overwhelming blaze of Agni. The mother assigned the eldest share to the son, following the sign appointed by Savitṛ. Established together, desiring victory, he became the longing of all who move. Ever abandoning what is deformed, he went forth, following Savitṛ’s ordinance. The portion set in the waters and on the plains was distributed by the hunters, and even the forests did not diminish the ordinances of Savitṛ. Whatever seat Varuṇa established, whatever moved unrestrained, trembling or blinking, all the offspring of the Sun, all cattle—Savitṛ unfolded their births in order. No one—neither Indra, Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, Rudra, nor adversaries—could diminish Savitṛ’s ordinance. “Him, this god Savitṛ, I invoke with reverence for our welfare.” The prayer continued: “May Bhaga, thought, strength, liberality, Naraśaṃsa, and the lord of women protect us. May we be dear to Savitṛ in the assembly and in the gathering of riches.” They prayed for blessings: “May that desirable gift, given by you from heaven, from the waters, from the earth, come to us. May what is auspicious for the praiser, for protection, come from Savitṛ for wide renown.” The ritual’s energy was likened to many things: “Like stones for pressing, you are stirred for this purpose; like a vulture drawn to a tree rich in treasure; like a priest reciting hymns at the rite; like a messenger bearing offerings across many places. Like heroes on a chariot you come at dawn; like a groom choosing a bride, you unite; like one delighting in his own shining body; like a couple wise in counsel among people.” They called, “Come to us first, like a horn from near; like the jaws of a restless beast, come with your teeth; like the chakravāka bird at dawn, like mighty ones on a chariot, come forward. Like a boat, carry us across; like a yoke, a nave, a support, a prop; like a dog, protect our bodies from harm; like a hedgehog, guard us from slipping.” “Like the wind, be swift; like a river, flowing; like eyes, come near with your sight; like hands, be beneficent to our body; like feet, lead us to wealth. Like lips, speak sweetly with honey; like breasts, nourish us for life; like nostrils, be our protectors; like ears, be well-hearing for us. Like an elephant, grant us strength; like earth, unite the realms for us. These songs, O Aśvins, inspired by you, sharpen our axe like a whetstone.” “These, O Aśvins, are your increasing deeds; the Gṛtsamadas have made the hymn and praise. Come, O men, delighting in them, let us speak forth greatly in the assembly, strong in men.” Soma and Pūṣan were honored as the originators of wealth, heaven, and earth—born as guardians of all worlds, made the navel of immortality by the gods. These two gods, once born, delighted; even unwelcomed, they concealed the darkness. With Soma and Pūṣan, Indra brought forth the ripe ones among the cows. Soma and Pūṣan drove the seven-wheeled chariot, traversing all realms, yoked by mind and invigorated with five rays. One made his dwelling high in the sky, the other upon earth, and another in the midspace. “Grant us abundant, manifold wealth and nourishment, and establish the navel for us.” One generated all the worlds; the other moved, beholding all. “Soma and Pūṣan, support my insight; with you two, may we conquer all battles. Let Pūṣan invigorate my insight, the source of all riches; let Soma, lord of wealth, bestow prosperity. May goddess Aditi protect us unharmed; may we speak greatly in the assembly, as heroes.” Then the call went out to Vāyu: “O Vāyu, come with your thousand-horsed chariots, accompanied by your attendants, to drink the Soma. Come, O Vāyu, with your company; I bring this bright offering to you. You will come to the house of the one who presses Soma.” Thus, the sages praised, invoked, and honored the gods, weaving their hymns and offerings into the fabric of the world, seeking blessings, protection, and strength for all.