Drawn by his tawny-cheeked horses, Indra is called forth among the people, invited to drink the sweet Soma as he desires. He is welcomed to delight in the sacrifice and the assembly, the radiant one whose presence brings joy. Of all the Somas pressed in times past, and now of this special libation offered solely to him, Indra is urged to drink the honeyed Soma and fill himself with the strength and vigor of the mighty bull. Indra is invited to partake of the Soma, purified in water, together with humankind. The libation is prepared with the intent to intoxicate and exhilarate him, so that he may grow in strength and joy with the hymns sung in his honor. The true and powerful drink of the pressed Soma is offered to Indra of the bay steeds, that he may rejoice in the nourishing streams and be delighted by all the hymns and songs of praise. With Indra’s protection and strength, the wise and truthful singers, filled with vigor, take their place in the home, praising him and longing to share in the feast. For he, who was born first and most powerful, surpassed all other gods by his will. By his might, heaven and earth are held apart; he, among men, is Indra. Indra made firm the trembling earth, calmed the angry mountains, measured out the vast midspace, and propped up the sky. He, who slew the serpent and released the seven rivers, who freed the cows confined by Vala, and who generated fire between stones in contests—he, among men, is Indra. It is he who set all moving things in motion, who hid the Dasa race in secret, and who, like a clever hunter, seized the wealth of the living. When people ask in fear, “Where is he?” or doubt his existence, it is Indra who diminishes the wealth of the prosperous, and in whom faith is placed. He is the helper of the weak, the poor, and the unsupported singer; he protects the one who presses the Soma, O fair-jawed one. His horses, cows, villages, and chariots are everywhere; he created the sun and the dawn, and he is the leader of the waters. When the bound and wailing call upon him, whether near or far, even enemies and those on the same chariot invoke him with different voices—he, among men, is Indra. Without him, people do not win; the fighters call for his help, for he is the measure of all things and shakes even the unshakable. Indra struck down the arrogant and proud, those who deemed themselves invincible. He does not let the hostile escape and is the slayer of the Dasyu. He found Sambara among the mountains after forty years, struck down the swelling serpent, and slew the sleeping Danu. With the Kasis, he overcame Sambara; he drank the Soma of the Asnās, and in his presence, within the mountain, the sacrificing people were overwhelmed. As the mighty bull of seven rays, he released the seven rivers and, wielding the thunderbolt, struck down Rauhina as he ascended to the sky. Heaven and earth are subject to Indra, and the mountains fear his might. He drinks Soma, his arms are of thunder, and he wields the thunderbolt. He protects those who press, cook, praise, and seek help; for him, hymns are strength, Soma is his, and to him all wealth belongs. Born and manifest in the lap of his parents, Indra knows no other origin; he is to be praised, he who follows the vows of the people, among the gods—this is Indra. He, the swift-bayed and wise one who desires Soma, from whom all beings tremble, who slew Shambara and Shushna, the sole hero—he is Indra. To the one who presses and cooks, Indra grants the prize. He is true, and may the people, always dear to him, speak forth in the assembly with strength. To Indra, praise is directed as an offering for his strength and greatness. Hymns, like eager horses, are driven forth for him, the most generous with prayers. With heart, mind, and thought, songs are offered to Indra, the ancient lord, that our insights may be adorned. The supreme and radiant song is borne to him with the greatest words of praise, with well-formed hymns to magnify the generous one. Like a craftsman fitting a chariot, the hymn is joined for Indra, who loves singers and is all-encompassing in wisdom. As a charioteer for fame, the hymn is yoked for Indra with the tongue, to honor the heroic, bountiful, ancient, and renowned lord of many cities. For him, Tvashtar fashioned the thunderbolt, worthy of heaven and battle, with which Indra struck Vritra and scattered the hosts. At the mother’s pressings, he drank the great draught, and the father’s nourishing food; aided by Vishnu, he struck the boar and cast the mountain aside. Even the goddesses, wives of the gods, sang hymns to Indra for his great deeds; heaven and earth embraced him, but none have encompassed his greatness. Indra’s greatness extends from heaven and earth and the midspace; as lord of the sun, he has taken up radiance for battle. With his might, Indra cut apart Vritra with the thunderbolt and released the waters, eager for fame and insight. The rivers rejoice at his force, when he confines the stream with the thunderbolt; the lord grants favor to the worshipper and depth to the eager Turvani. For Indra, the thunderbolt is brought forth for Vritra; he split the joints of the cow and set the floods free to roam the waters. The ancient and new deeds of the mighty one are spoken forth in hymns; armed for battle, Indra drives out the enemies. At his birth, the firm mountains and broad heavens tremble; at the singer’s call, shelter is joined and inspiration becomes strength for heroic deeds. To him belongs the share among the givers; as sole lord, he rules over the many. Striving for the sun, Indra outstripped the rival for the prize of good horses with his strength. Thus, the Gotamas have composed splendid hymns for Indra, the delight of chariots. In these hymns, he has placed all-beautiful wisdom; may the generous one swiftly come to us in the morning with wisdom. He alone, worthy of sacrifice among peoples, is Indra. Let us honor him with these songs—for he is the bull, strong and true, full of many powers and mighty.