In ancient times, the powers of the cosmos were ever vigilant, watching over the innocent and the just. Soma, the divine nectar, never harmed those who upheld righteousness, nor the rulers who governed with justice. Instead, Soma struck down demons and liars, laying them low beneath Indra’s mighty force. If ever one claimed to be a false god, or invoked the gods in vain, Agni—O Jātavedas—was called upon to judge. Those who spoke deceitfully were destined to join with destruction. Let truth prevail: if a person was indeed a sorcerer or had harmed another’s spirit, let him perish that day. And should anyone falsely accuse another of sorcery, let him be separated from his ten heroes, losing all strength. Such accusations did not go unanswered. Whoever called another a sorcerer or declared, “I am a demon,” Indra would strike down with a powerful blow, casting them to the lowest place among all beings. Even those who crept at night in harmful forms—like a mongoose—were condemned to fall into a bottomless pit, crushed by stones. The Maruts, storm gods, were summoned to scatter the demons, seize and crush them, whether they flew by night as birds or disguised themselves among the gods at sacrifice. Indra, the Soma-drinker and generous one, was implored to roll down the heavenly stone, striking demons from every direction—east, west, below, above—with the mountain’s force. The flesh-eating demons roamed, seeking to harm Indra and attack the innocent. Now, Shakra was called to unleash his weapon upon slanderers, letting the thunderbolt fall upon the sorcerers. Indra became the destroyer of sorcerers and expelled those who stole offerings—breaking them like an axe fells trees, shattering them like vessels against the demons. No demon was spared: owl-demons, screech-owl demons, flesh-eaters, cuckoo-demons, eagle-demons, and vulture-demons—all were crushed by Indra as with a stone. The reed-demon and ambiguous paired demons were kept at bay. The earth protected from earthly harm, the midspace from atmospheric, and the sky from celestial dangers. Indra struck down both male sorcerers and deceitful women who practiced magic. The crooked-necked, root-gods perished, unseen when the sun rose. Indra and Soma looked forth, vigilant, letting their weapon fall upon demons and their thunderbolt upon sorcerers. In this world, heroes were given a protective amulet, bound for valor, a destroyer of rivals, auspicious and brave. This jewel, fierce and enduring, empowered the hero to advance, confront, and defeat adversaries. With this jewel, Indra slew Vṛtra, the wise one overcame the Asuras, conquered heaven and earth, and subdued all four directions. The Srāktya jewel was a turning amulet, a mighty charm, sovereign and crushing, guarding from every side. Agni, Soma, Bṛhaspati, Savitṛ, and Indra all declared its power, and these gods, as priests, defeated hostile actions with protective charms. They concealed heaven and earth and called forth the sun, ensuring victory. Those who wore the Srāktya jewel as armor ascended to the sky like the sun, sovereign and triumphant, driving away hostile actions. With the jewel and sage wisdom, all armies were conquered and demons crushed. Hostile actions—whether from the Āṅgirases, Asuras, self-made, or brought by others—were banished far away, beyond ninety ships. The gods themselves bound this jewel as armor: Indra, Viṣṇu, Savitṛ, Rudra, Agni, Prajāpati, Parameṣṭhī, Virāṭ, Vaiśvānara, and all sages. Among plants, the jewel was foremost, unyielding like a tiger, a wild beast among animals, the ultimate defender. Whoever bore the jewel became a tiger, a lion, a bull, tormenting rivals, shining in all directions, unharmed by Apsarases, Gandharvas, or mortals. Kaśyapa created and established the jewel. Indra, fearless among men, wore it and conquered. The gods made it a thousand-powered armor. Any who sought to harm the wearer through hostile actions, consecrations, or sacrifices were struck back by Indra’s thunderbolt. The jewel was mighty and victorious, protecting offspring and wealth, auspicious in every way. Indra ensured no rival approached from below, above, or behind; light was placed in front. Heaven and earth, the sun, Indra, and Agni formed the armor, established by Dhātṛ. The Indra-Agni armor was abundant and fierce, impenetrable even to the gods, protecting the body everywhere, granting long life and vigor. The divine gem shone forth, granting safety from harm, approaching the woman for strength with threefold bodily protection. Indra established manliness, the gods gathered for her, granting a long life, a hundred autumns, growing old with teeth intact. When a newborn arrived, the mother wiped away the signs of birth. Let no evil name cling—neither from slime nor afterbirth. Straw, chaff, husk, shell, sticky residue, membrane, covering, wrinkled skin, neck of the placenta, and the one who closes the eyes—let none surround or approach the child. A remedy and charm drove away evil names. Both evil and good names, whichever sought to attach, hostile ones were driven away, leaving good names for those desiring a husband. Enemies—black, hairy, demon, stump-dweller, beak-nosed—were banished by her strength. Those who sniffed, touched, ate flesh, or licked, the barking, yellow, toothless, all hostile ones, were driven away. Thus, through the vigilance of gods, the power of charms, and the strength of sacred jewels, protection and victory were assured against all demons, sorcerers, and hostile forces. The innocent and the just remained safe, guarded by divine might and auspicious blessings.