Hail to the Ādityas, celestial sovereigns! Mitra, Varuṇa, Aryaman—the guardians of truth and cosmic law. Ye who sit upon thrones of light, ye who see all that transpires in the realm of men and gods alike.

Mitra, the friend of all creatures, the keeper of covenants and sacred bonds! Thou bringest concord among men and bindest the scattered into one fellowship. Thy name is spoken with reverence wherever two mortals make a pledge, for thou dost watch over the truth of their words.

Varuṇa, lord of the waters and the vast expanse! Thou who rulest the seas, the rivers, and the rains that fall from heaven. Thy net is cast across the world, catching all the wicked in its meshes. No transgression escapeth thee; no falsehood hideth from thy all-seeing eye.

Aryaman, the sovereign of travelers and of those who wander far! Thou guidest the merchant through the desert, the warrior through the mountain pass. Thou bringest strangers safely to their destination; thou watchest over the lonely and the lost.

These three, the mighty Ādityas, uphold the pillars of the cosmos. They stand at the four quarters of the heavens and keep all things in their proper place. The earth doth not slip from beneath our feet because of their watchfulness. The sky doth not fall upon our heads because of their eternal vigilance.

They see all the deeds of men—both the righteous and the wicked. They mark every oath sworn, every promise made, every debt incurred. The man who keepeth his word, who dealeth justly, who showeth mercy to the weak—such a man findeth favor in their sight.

But the liar, the oath-breaker, the cruel oppressor—he cannot hide from them. His wickedness shall be revealed. His fortresses shall crumble. His wealth shall scatter like dust before the wind. For the Ādityas are the guardians of truth, and truth shall ever triumph in the end.

We who are but mortals, frail and fleeting as the flowers of spring, lift our voices in humble prayer unto thee, O mighty ones! Guard us from the snares of the wicked. Turn away from us the evil eye. Protect us from those who would deceive us or work us harm.

Grant us the wisdom to speak truth, even when falsehood might profit us more. Grant us the courage to keep our vows, even when the cost is great. Grant us the strength to walk the righteous path, even though it may be harder than the way of transgression.

Let us not fall into sin through ignorance or weakness of spirit. Let us not be led astray by the counsel of the wicked. Let us not be ensnared by the temptations that beset the mortal soul. Rather, let us dwell always in thy sight, striving to serve truth and justice.

We offer unto thee, O Ādityas, this hymn of praise. We pour out the soma at the stone. We kindle the sacred fires and make the offering with reverent hearts. Accept our devotion, O celestial sovereigns! Be gracious unto us and shelter us beneath thy wings.

Mitra, be thou the friend and ally of thy worshippers. Varuṇa, cast not thy net upon the righteous, but upon the wicked only. Aryaman, guide us safely through all the perils of this mortal existence, that we may reach the blessed realm beyond.

So do we call upon thee, ye Ādityas, the keepers of truth and law. Let thy guardianship never fail us. Let thy justice always prevail. And when at last we depart from this world, may we be found blameless in thy sight, worthy to dwell forever in the courts of the just.