With hearts full of devotion, the worshippers gathered, their thoughts and offerings ever dedicated to Indra, the generous and friendly lord. They honored him with oblations, growing old in his service, trusting always in his gracious companionship. With reverence, they prayed that Indra’s beloved steeds would never depart, but that he himself would draw near, delighting them with his presence and power. They envisioned the curly-haired horses drawing Indra in a pleasant chariot, inviting him to be seated upon the sacred grass, smeared with butter, prepared especially for him. “Come to us, Indra,” they called, “to drink the pressed Soma, rich in cows, accompanied by your swift steeds, you who are always kind to us.” The Soma, exhilarating and freshly pressed, was placed upon the sacred grass, and the worshippers hoped it would satisfy the mighty Indra. Their inspired words and hymns, uttered with devotion, called him to partake in the sacred drink. With each recitation and praise, they sought to draw Indra near, that he might be pleased by their offerings. “Indra, these Somas have been pressed for you,” they declared, “receive them, O hundred-powered one who delights in strength. We know you as the winner of wealth, steadfast in contests and wise. Therefore, we seek your favor and invite you to drink this Soma, rich in cows and barley, for our sake. Come with your bull-like strength to the pressed offering.” In his own dwelling, Indra was urged to drink the Soma, that his heart might be gladdened. As in times of old, the Kuśikas invoked him, longing for his help and presence at the drinking of the Soma. With Indra’s help, the foremost of mortals, possessing horses, moved among the cows, filled with abundant wealth, just as wise rivers flow towards the sea. The divine waters, too, approached the sacrificial priest, perceiving the vast expanse like the sky, while the gods guided the devotee forward, delighting in the sacred word. Upon the two—perhaps the sacred fires or the priests—the hymn and speech were placed by those who serve, honoring them. Indra, unbound in his vow, prospered and brought auspicious power to the sacrificer who pressed the Soma. The Angiras were the first to establish the sacred way, kindling the fires and acting with skill. They discovered all the hidden wealth of the Paṇis—food, horses, cows, and cattle. By sacrifice, Atharvan first set out the paths, and from him, the Sun, Vena, was born. Kāvyā Uśanā was invoked to come together with the cows, and the immortal offspring of Yama were worshipped. Wherever the sacred grass was spread for prosperity, wherever the hymn resounded in the sky, where the pressing stone spoke and the inspired poet chanted, there Indra delighted in the offerings. For him, the strong and true draught was poured, that he might rejoice among the cows, praised by every act of power and all the hymns. In every union and contest for strength and prize, Indra was called upon as a friend and helper. The worshippers prayed that, if he heard, he would come with thousands of aids and prizes to their invocation. They remembered the ancient dwelling and the greatly wise one whom Indra’s father had called upon before. The bright, ruddy one was yoked, moving among those who stood still, while lights shone in the sky. Indra’s beloved two bay steeds, with full manes, were harnessed to his chariot—red, bold, and uniting people. Indra, born together with the dawns, brought signs for the unseeing and adorned the unadorned. “If I, like you, Indra, were the sole lord of wealth,” they mused, “may my praiser be a friend of cows. I would teach and give generously to the wise if I were the master of cattle.” Indra, the cow of sweet speech, yields for the sacrificer who presses Soma, granting milk, cattle, and horses. Indra’s bounty was limitless—neither god nor mortal could set a boundary to it. When praised, he granted riches. Sacrifice had strengthened Indra, empowering him to set the earth apart and fix the supports in the sky. The worshippers, seeking ever-increasing treasures, chose Indra’s aid above all. It was Indra who split the midspace in the intoxication of Soma and the shining regions, striking down barriers. He drove forth the cows for the Angirases, revealing what was hidden and pushing obstacles aside. By his power, the shining regions of the sky remained established and unshaken. Like the swelling of waters, the hymn rose to Indra with vigor, and his exhilarations spread forth. He was the increaser of hymns and praises, bringing good fortune to the singers. His tawny steeds, adorned with manes, carried him to drink Soma, approaching the sacrifice rich in gifts. With the foam of waters, Indra struck off Namuci’s head when he conquered all contests. With his powers, he aspired to ascend the sky, shaking down the Dasyus. Indra destroyed the assembly of those who did not press Soma, dispersing them and becoming the supreme Soma-drinker. Thus, in the warmth of devotion and the power of sacred rites, the worshippers celebrated Indra, the mighty and generous, who delights in the hymns, the offerings, and the hearts of those who call upon him.