In the sacred gathering, the sages call upon Indra, the mighty and hundred-powered, to protect the invigorating and glorious Soma, the essence of wakefulness and strength, for their aid. They invoke the powers that belong to Indra among the five peoples, choosing them for his favor. With reverence, they ask Indra to accept great fame and unconquerable glory, seeking his might to help them cross over all obstacles. The call goes out to Indra, requesting him to come from near or far, from wherever his vast realm extends, for he is the stone-armed lord. Indra sits above all fear, unwavering and steadfast among peoples. The sages pray for Indra’s mercy, wishing that harm not reach them from behind and that good fortune be ever before them. They ask Indra to make them fearless from every direction, to conquer their enemies, for he is ever active among the peoples. In the house of the Sun, the sages bring forth speech and hymns for Indra, knowing that praise among the generous is fruitful, just as seekers find treasure. They acknowledge that the horse, the cow, and the barley are far-reaching, belonging to Indra, the lord of wealth, and ask him to teach them from his highest, unconstrained place, singing for his friends. Indra’s wealth, most glorious and watched on every side, is likened to power itself. The sages urge Indra to gather and bring this wealth, overcoming all obstacles, and not let their wishes fail. With shining days and the sacred drops, dispelling ignorance, the Ashvins and Indra are invoked, so that united and free from hatred, abundance may be attained. Together with Indra, with wealth, prizes, delights, and shining ones, the sages wish to attain surpassing strength, heroic vigor, and the foremost cows and horses. The exhilarations, the powers of the bull, and the Somas have gladdened Indra, especially in his slaying of Vritra. For the worshipper, Indra struck down ten unassailable Vritras, and for the one who offers, he cast down thousands. Indra is celebrated for approaching battle after battle with boldness, destroying city after city with his might. With worthy friendship in distant places, Indra cast down Namuci, the master of illusion. He slew Karandja and Parṇaya with the most powerful weapon on Atithigva’s path, shattered a hundred cities of Vaṅgṛdas, drove away defenders, and cleared the way for Ṛjiśvan. Indra approached two kings of the people, their ten brothers, and Suśravas, the renowned, striking down sixty thousand and ninety-nine with the wheel of his chariot. He aided Suśravas with protections, helped Tūrvayāṇa, and granted life to Kutsa, Atithigva, the great youthful king, and the one who does not fail in battle. Those who are Indra’s friends, the divine guardians, are most auspicious and harmonious. The sages vow to praise Indra, and with him as their ally, hope to possess heroic sons, long life, and a secure crossing. To Indra, the bull among the pressed, the sages pour forth Soma for drinking, inviting him to partake and be satisfied. They pray that the foolish and envious may not harm him, nor the mockers oppress him, and that those who hate the sacred utterance may not overcome him. With the guardians of the cows, they hope to gladden Indra for great reward, urging him to drink as a bull drinks from a lake. They sing to Indra, the lord of the cows, the son of truth, the true lord, as is fitting and as one who knows. The bays, the ruddy steeds, have been released upon the sacred grass where all assemble together. For Indra, the cows have milked forth pure sweetness for the wielder of the bolt, when he discovered it in the hidden place. Calling Indra, eager for Soma, they invite him to drink, urging him to come with his two bays, the stone-splitter. The priest, as ritualist, sits and spreads the sacred grass in order, yoking the morning pressings. Hymns, bearers of prayer, are composed, and Indra is invited to sit upon the sacred grass and enjoy the foremost offering. The sages rejoice with Indra in the libations, in the praises and hymns, for he is the slayer of Vritra and lover of song. The mothers of the Soma-drinker cherish Indra as mothers cherish a calf. Indra is urged to delight in the pressed Soma for greatness and his own body, and not to cast aside the worshipper. Those devoted to Indra offer oblations and grow old in his service, trusting in his generosity and friendship. They pray that his beloved steeds not depart, asking Indra to come near with his own power and rejoice with them. The curly-haired ones are called to carry Indra in a pleasant chariot, and the butter-smeared grass is prepared as his seat. Once more, Indra is called to drink the pressed Soma, rich in cows, with his steeds, for he is friendly to the sages. The exhilarating Soma, pressed with stones and placed on the sacred grass, is offered, hoping Indra will be satisfied. Inspired words are uttered to call Indra to drink Soma; hymns and praises are recited to invoke him, hoping he will come. Indra, the hundred-powered, is invited to receive the pressed Somas into his belly, delighting in strength. The sages know him as the winner of wealth, steadfast in contests, and seek his favor. They urge Indra to drink the Soma, rich in cows and barley, and to come with his bull-like strength to the pressed offering. Thus, with reverence and devotion, the sages call Indra to their midst, offering Soma, praises, and prayers, seeking his protection, strength, and blessings for abundance, victory, and harmony.