Sukta 44

Mantra 1

दधिक्रां वः प्रथममश्विनोषसमग्निं समिद्धं भगमूतये हुवे । इन्द्रं विष्णुं पूषणं ब्रह्मणस्पतिमादित्यान्द्यावापृथिवी अपः स्वः ॥

First I call for you Dadhikrāvan, and the Aśvins, and Dawn; I call Agni kindled, and Bhaga for the help. Indra and Viṣṇu, Pūṣan and Brahmaṇaspati, the Ādityas, Heaven and Earth, the Waters, and the luminous world—come as powers of aid within us.

Mantra 2

दधिक्रामु नमसा बोधयन्त उदीराणा यज्ञमुपप्रयन्तः । इळां देवीं बर्हिषि सादयन्तोऽश्विना विप्रा सुहवा हुवेम ॥

Awakening Dadhikrāvan with reverence, rising up and advancing toward the sacrifice, we set the goddess Iḷā upon the sacred seat; we inspired ones call the Aśvins with a good call, for they come readily.

Mantra 3

दधिक्रावाणं बुबुधानो अग्निमुप ब्रुव उषसं सूर्यं गाम् । ब्रध्नं माँश्चतोर्वरुणस्य बभ्रुं ते विश्वास्मद्दुरिता यावयन्तु ॥

Waking to Dadhikrāvan, I speak near to Agni, to Dawn, to the Sun, to the Ray of Light. To the shining one, to the tawny strength of Varuṇa—may they drive away from us all evil passages and distortions.

Mantra 4

दधिक्रावा प्रथमो वाज्यर्वाग्रे रथानां भवति प्रजानन् । संविदान उषसा सूर्येणादित्येभिर्वसुभिरङ्गिरोभिः ॥

Dadhikrāvan, the first, the charger, becomes foremost among the chariots, knowing the way. He is in accord with Dawn and with the Sun, with the Ādityas, the Vasus, and the Angirasas—powers of ordered light that lead the advance.

Mantra 5

आ नो दधिक्राः पथ्यामनक्त्वृतस्य पन्थामन्वेतवा उ । शृणोतु नो दैव्यं शर्धो अग्निः शृण्वन्तु विश्वे महिषा अमूराः ॥

May Dadhikrāvan anoint for us the path that is fit to be travelled, so that we may follow the Path of Ṛta (the right and true order). May Agni, the divine host of the Will, hear us; and may all the mighty, unbewildered powers listen within us.