Behold the horse most swift and noble, whom we lead unto the stake,
That sacred beast whose hooves do thunder 'cross the field of sacrifice,
Whose mane doth flow like molten gold, whose breath doth shake the earth beneath.

This horse, born of the cosmic order in the days when all was young,
Did spring forth from the primordial waters at the Word's unfolding.
His nostrils flare wide open to the winds of heaven's compass,
And his eyes do see the farthest reaches of the earth and sky combined.

We lead thee, O most noble steed, unto the altar waiting,
Where priests in white do gather 'round with stone and fire and soma,
Where all the gods do witness what the sacrifice shall render.
The horse that runs before the chariot, the leader of the battle,
Now stands upon the sacred ground, his glory not diminished,
For in this death he liveth eternal in the cosmic order.

His strength hath carried warriors through the clash of many peoples,
His speed hath borne the kings to conquest over far domains,
His body, stamped with the seal of heaven, shall unite the earth and sky.

We give thee forth, O radiant beast, with honor and with reverence,
That from thy flesh and bone shall grow the cattle and the crops,
That from thy sacrifice shall spring forth blessing upon all the lands,
And the rains shall fall abundant, and the sun shall shine eternal.

The Aśvins ride beside thee in this final, glorious journey,
The Maruts gather 'round thy path, their storm-winds singing loud,
And Indra, mightiest of the gods, doth bless thy sacrifice complete.

O horse of heaven, bearer of the cosmic wheel of time,
Thy death is not an ending, but a transformation vast,
For thou dost bind the mortal realm unto the gods eternal.
Accept this hymn of praise that we do sing with voices raised,
Accept this offering with grace, and grant us thy protection.