Hear now the glorious tale of Indra, the mighty lord whose deeds resound across heaven and earth. When Indra accomplished his great feat, even the goddesses, the wives of the gods, sang hymns in his praise. The broad heavens and earth themselves embraced him, for none could encompass the vastness of his greatness. Indra’s power extended beyond heaven, earth, and the midspace. As the lord of the sun, renowned everywhere, he seized the radiance and prepared for battle. With unmatched might, he struck down Vritra with his thunderbolt, and like cows freed to their calves, he released the long-imprisoned waters, his insight and fame shining forth. The rivers rejoiced in his strength, for when he confined the stream with his thunderbolt, he bestowed favor upon his worshippers. The swift lord granted depth to Turvani, eager for his blessing. Indra, ever eager, brought forth the thunderbolt against Vritra, splitting the joints of the cosmic cow and driving them apart, setting the floods free to roam. The ancient deeds of this mighty one are spoken of with reverence; new hymns are composed to honor his battles and his weapons. Indra, striving, drives out the enemies, ever victorious. At his birth, even the firm mountains and the broad heavens trembled in awe. When the singer called, shelter was granted, and inspiration became the strength for heroic deeds. As the sole lord among many, Indra claimed his share among the givers. Striving for the sun, he outpaced his rivals, winning the prize of good horses through his strength. The Gotamas composed splendid hymns for him, delighting in chariots, and in these hymns Indra placed all-beautiful wisdom. May the generous one swiftly come to us in the morning, bringing wisdom. Indra alone is worthy of sacrifice among all peoples; let us honor him with our songs. He is the bull, strong and true, full of many powers, mighty in being. Our ancient fathers, the Navagvas and the seven sages, seeking victory, glorified him with thoughtful praise. Standing on the mountain, Indra’s words are without falsehood. We seek Indra, lord of wealth and many heroes, ever youthful and ageless, possessor of light. O charioteer, bring him here to gladden us. Indra, tell us if your singers of old ever brought you favor; what is your share, your strength, your vigor, O much-invoked, rich in gifts, slayer of demons? She who questions Indra, the wielder of the bolt, as he stands on his chariot, finds her voice trembling, for his grasp is strong, his form mighty, and his generosity vast. She seeks to approach him for gain. By his power, grown through his own magic, swift-minded and self-reliant, Indra shatters even the unshaken, breaks the strong, and splits the firm with boldness. Let your thoughts turn to Indra, most powerful, ancient yet ever new, for protection. May Indra, the good helper, carry us beyond all difficulties. For the people, kindle the earthly, heavenly, and midspace fires; let Indra, the bull, burn with his flame on every side, consuming those who hate prayer and harm the earth. Indra is king of the heavenly people, of the earthly world, of all that moves, with fierce vision. He takes the bolt in his right hand—may he protect us from all harm and defeat all magic. Indra, bring us unbroken welfare for victory over foes, as you have subdued the Dasa, Arya, Vritra, and Nahusha with the thunderbolt. Come to us, wise Indra, with your bands and all gifts, O worthy of worship. With these, which neither godless nor god can withstand, come quickly, delighting in the Soma. Indra, like a bull with sharp horns, is fearsome and alone stirs all peoples. He leads the eager to life, knowing the way for the well-off. Indra aided Kutsa in battle, listening to him directly; he subdued the Dasa Shushna and Kuyava, granting victory to Arjuneya. With boldness, Indra led Sudas, who called upon him, with all aids. He helped Paurukutsa, Trasadasyu, and Puru in winning land and slaying Vritra. Among men, Indra, manly and worshipped by the gods, has slain many Vritras. He cast down the Dasyu, Cumuri, and Dhuni, making them sleep for the sake of his friend. Indra’s deeds are famed: he overthrew ninety-nine cities at once, entered the hundredth dwelling, and slew Vritra, Namuci, and Ahi. These are his ancient gifts for the worshipper who offers rightly, for Sudas. To the strong, Indra yokes his strong steeds—may the hymns bring abundant prize. Let not the mighty one assail you with violence, O Harivaḥ, at the beginning of the contest. Protect us with your unbroken defenses; may we be dear to the generous among men. May we, O bountiful one, be dear to you in your favor; let us, your friends, rejoice in your shelter. Subdue Turvaśa and Yadu; grant worthy praise to Atithigva. Even now, in your favor, O bountiful one, men speak forth hymns and praises. Those who invoke you drive away the miser; choose us for alliance with you. These praises of men, O best of men, are for you; they bring gifts to us, O generous one. Be gracious in the slaying of Vṛtra; be a friend, a hero, and a protector of men. Now, O Indra, heroic one, praised by us, grow strong with the aid of prayer and your own might. Grant us riches and food; may you always guard us with well-being. Come hither with delight, O Indra; drink this Soma. This is my seat, my sacred grass. Let your tawny steeds, yoked by prayer, bring you, O Indra; listen to our hymns. With prayer, we, the Soma-offerers, invoke you, O Indra, drinker of Soma, when the Soma is pressed. The singers sing of Indra with loud chants; the praisers praise him with their hymns; voices call upon Indra. Indra, together with his two bay steeds, united and yoked with speech, wields the golden thunderbolt. With far-seeing vision, Indra made the sun rise in the sky; with the cows, he split the rock. We call upon Indra from every direction for the peoples; may he be ours alone. He traversed the midspace with the exhilaration of Soma’s radiance, shattering the enclosure. He drove upward, as with the Angirases, revealing those who were hidden, and pushed the enclosure forward. Thus is the story of Indra, the mighty lord, whose deeds, favor, and wisdom are celebrated by gods, sages, and men alike. His strength, generosity, and protection are sought by all, and his praises resound through the ages.