They were the first to speak at the wrong done unto the Brahmin: the endless Sea, Mātariśvan the wind-bearer, the mighty Flame of Fervor, grim in wrath yet joy in his essence, and the divine Waters, born first by their own truth.

Soma the king gave the Brahmin’s wife back first, and showed no anger. Varuṇa, his fellow, bore her beside him; and Agni, the priestly fire, took her hand in his and brought her hither.

The pledged one is to be taken by her own hand alone, and only when the cry is raised: “Lo, here standeth the Brahmin’s wife.” She doth not suffer a go-between to fetch her. Thus is the kingship of the high-lord kept whole.

The gods of old and the seven seers, who sat themselves down in long-suffering might, spake among themselves of her: “A dread thing is the Brahmin’s wife when she draweth nigh; she setteth that which is hard to set in heaven’s farthest height.”

He who giveth shape to holy speech toilest ever in his toil. He becometh as one limb of the gods. With him, Br̥haspati found the Brahmin’s wife again, she whom Soma had led, as ye gods once found the tongue of the rite.

The gods, yea, have returned her; and the sons of Manu have likewise returned her. The lords of men, the Ādityas, fulfilling the word, have given the Brahmin’s wife again.

And having restored her, having made good the trespass with the gods beside them, and having partaken of the earth’s fullness, they draw nigh in worship unto the great wide space.