Indra, mighty among the gods, sat before the sacred Soma, his neck powerful, his belly strong, his arms full of force. As he took his seat, he was ever ready to strike down his foes, his presence alone a terror to his enemies. Called forth as the lord of all strength, Indra was invoked to go before his people, to destroy those who threatened them, to lead the way as the great slayer of enemies. To Indra, the long goad was entrusted—a symbol of his power to grant wealth and prosperity to those who offered and pressed the sacred Soma. Upon the sacred grass, the purified Soma was poured out for him; the priests called, “Come swiftly, Indra, drink of this offering.” The Soma was prepared for his delight, for his praise, and for the coming battles, and the people invoked him as Ākhaṇḍala, the mighty one. Indra’s mind was set upon the one whose bull, offspring, and Kuṇḍapāyya belonged to him, favoring the devotee with his attention. As the Soma was pressed, the people called to him—the great bull among gods—to drink the sweetness of the Soma juice. “Delight in this Soma, Indra, knower of resolve, much-praised one. Drink, be exhilarated, be satisfied,” they sang. Indra was invited to lead their inspired sacrifice, to cross over with all the gods, praised as the lord of the people. The bright drops of Soma were sent forth to him, their true lord, to dwell with him and strengthen him. “Place the pressed Soma in your belly, Indra, most excellent; let these drops be for your strength,” they prayed. The singer called to him: “Drink our pressed Soma, gladdened by streams of sweetness. From you, Indra, comes all our fame.” Unfailing powers attended Indra, who was adorned with glory; with every draught of Soma, his might grew even greater. The people called to him from near and far, beseeching the slayer of Vṛtra to accept their hymns. “Whenever you are invoked, Indra, between the far and the near, come here from wherever you are.” As the Sun rose, renowned and glorious, a bull and lord of men, he journeyed across the sky, only to set again in the west. Indra, with the strength of his arms, had shattered ninety and nine cities and slain the serpent, the fearsome Vṛtra. This gracious friend, rich in horses, cattle, and barley, was invoked to pour forth abundance as a broad udder gives milk. Again, the priests called: “Indra, delight in the pressed Soma, knower of resolve, much-praised; drink, be exhilarated, be satisfied.” They urged him: “Drink as before, let it gladden you; hear our prayer, grow with our hymns. Reveal the Sun, fulfill our wishes, strike down our enemies, and lead our cows forward, O Indra.” He was called near, the beloved of Soma, to drink the freshly pressed juice. “Widen your belly, receive it with strength; like a father, hear us as we call upon you.” The vessel was filled for him—Svāhā!—as if pouring a libation into a cup, strained for his pleasure. The dear ones gathered together, intoxicated by the Soma, as the Somas circled Indra to his right, honoring him. To Indra, the wondrous and unconquered, delighting in strength and exhilarating drink, the people sang new praises, as cows in their stalls low to their calf. They sought him who shone like the sky, generous and mighty as a mountain full of gifts; he was rich in food, victorious, swift to bring cattle and abundance. The devotees approached the heroic power of Indra, the sacred knowledge of old by which he aided the Bhrigus in winning wealth, by which he helped Praskaṇva. By this same strength, O mighty Indra, you set the great rivers in motion; your power, O bull, is unmatched, never diminishing, beyond the reach of earths. The sweetest songs rose up for Indra, unceasing streams of praise flowing like chariots racing for victory. Like the Kaṇvas, the Bhṛgus, and the Suns, all shining forth, the eager ones glorified Indra in hymns, the Priyamedhas singing aloud. Indra, breaker of forts, drove away the Dāsa with his might, granting wealth, showing mercy, scattering foes. Inspired by prayer and growing in strength, he filled both earth and sky with his bounty. For his powerful sacrifice, the priests sent forth their speech, adorned for immortality, recognizing Indra as the lord of human tribes, divine hosts, and the ancient forebears. Indra slew Vṛtra, shattering his cunning, destroying deceivers with his might. He split open the cave, releasing the cows and making the hidden ones visible. As bringer of light, Indra created the days, conquering hosts with his weapons; he made the sign for Manu, the great seer, and found the flame for the mighty battle. Praised by hymns, Indra entered the seat of strength, bestowing manly vigor and many gifts. He awakened radiant and pure insight in the singer. The great deeds of mighty Indra were many and renowned; with his power, he crushed the wicked, overcoming the Dasyus with strength and magic. In his greatness, Indra made a wide path for the gods, the true lord and protector of men. In the house of Vivasvat, the wise sang of his deeds with their hymns. The all-conquering, worthy, strong Indra, giver of strength, along with the shining goddesses, established the earth and the heavens, and the wise rejoiced in him. He established the waters, the sun, and the earth; after slaying the Dasyus, Indra secured the abundant cow, the golden wealth, bringing forth the Aryan color. He set in motion the plants, the waters, the trees, and the midspace; he broke the power of his foes, silenced their voices, and tamed the arrogant. Thus, the people continued to call upon Indra, the generous giver, the foremost among men in contests for prize and strength. Fierce and attentive to their invocations in battle, he struck down obstacles and was victorious in wealth. Their hymns rose up for Indra’s glory, Vasiṣṭha praising him in the assembly—Indra, who with his might had pervaded all things, who listened eagerly to the words and prayers of his devotees.