When the mighty Indra ascended to the heights of speech and sought to master the vast midspace, the gods rejoiced together, delighting in the power of the great bull. They called upon him to empower speech with boldness, to make the voice broad and unassailable, and to rise to the highest joy in heaven. Indra was asked again to strengthen speech, for when the abode of law shines forth, those who have prepared the sacred grass for sacrifice rejoice. With reverence, the people praised Indra, the wondrous one who conquers death and brings exhilaration, singing hymns to him as cows in their stalls sing to a beloved calf. They sought the shining, generous, and powerful one, surrounded by strength, like a mountain filled with treasures—abundant in food, in wealth, in herds, and ever quick to bestow cattle. Approaching Indra’s heroic might and ancient wisdom, they recalled how he aided the striving Bhrigus in their search for wealth and protected Praskanva. By his strength, he set the great rivers in motion and made the ocean flow; his greatness never diminishes, for the earth itself cannot subdue him. Yet, who among mortals is truly worthy to praise the swift Atasīna horses of Indra? None have fully captured his greatness and power, though many have sung of him. The singers, the righteous, and the inspired call upon the god, wondering which sage or wise man might invoke him, and when generous Indra will come to the pressed Soma and the song of praise. So, they praised Indra, the bestower of riches, as is fitting—he who is known to them, the generous one who grants the singers abundant wealth, as if by the thousands. Like a warrior with a hundred armies, he advances with might, striking down the foes of the worshipper; his gifts, rich in enjoyment, pour forth like rivers from a mountain. Again, the people sang to the famed, wealth-giving Indra, expressing their desires. He grants desirable treasures to those who press Soma and sing, magnifying them as if by thousands. His countless weapons, vast and difficult to overcome, are with him; his abundance, like a mountain, flows among the generous when the pressed Somas are not lacking. Having pressed Soma, the worshippers gathered around Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, like waters around the sacrificial grass. At the outpourings of the purifier, the singers assembled, calling to Indra at the pressing with hymns, longing for his presence as a bull roars for his herd. With the Kanvas, they sought the mighty one of firm banner and a thousand gifts, hoping swiftly to obtain cattle. Who truly knows Indra, who is accompanied at the pressing, who has set his mind on the sacrifice? He shatters the forts with his power, delighting in the strong Soma. Like a wild beast, an elephant, he sets his course in many places; none can restrain him at the pressing, nor can his coming be checked. Fierce, unopposed, steadfast, and ever ready for battle, Indra listens to the call of the singer, and the people pray that he may not be drawn away. All the hosts, together with their allies, have fashioned Indra for kingship—wise, excellent, best of gifts, mighty and energetic. The shouts resound for Indra to drink Soma; as lord of light, strong and steadfast, he advances with might and his bands. The spokes bow to the rim, and the singers with their voices to the ram; may Indra’s swift and well-disposed ones bring their songs to his ears. They called upon generous, mighty Indra, upholder of sacrifice, whose powers are unconquered and whose greatness is worthy of worship. They prayed that the wielder of the bolt would make their paths auspicious and bring them wealth. Whatever strength Indra brought from the lords of light among the gods, they asked him to increase it for the singer and for those seated on the sacrificial grass. To those for whom Indra has given the horse, the cow, and the unfailing share, may he place it with the sacrificer, the Soma-presser, and the giver of gifts—not with the niggard. Indra grew strong with exhilaration, with men, as the slayer of Vṛtra, for might. The worshippers called upon him in their great battle, in their contest, praying that he would enter them for victory. For Indra is a heroic warrior, granting abundant spoils, the strength of even the weak, and provider for the worshipper; much wealth is his for the one who presses Soma. When the prizes are called forth for the bold, and wealth is set for the contest, they urge him to harness his exhilarated steeds; they wonder whom he will strike and whom he will grant riches, praying that Indra will grant them those riches. With joy, they begged Indra to grant them herds of cattle, to gather many hundreds on both sides, seize wealth, shower them with treasure, and bring it near. They invited him to rejoice in the pressed Soma, to be present for strength and bounty, for they knew him as the giver of many gifts and sent forth their desires to him, asking for his protection. Indra’s people prosper in every prize; among them, he is manifest—noble, wise, and undeceived—and they prayed that he would remember them and bring blessings. To him who shapes beautiful forms for help, as a cow yields milk to the milker, they offered daily oblations. They invited Indra to their libations, to drink the Soma, for the exhilaration of the generous was present. They prayed that they might know the limit of his gracious favors, begging him not to pass them by, but to come near. For help, they asked him to protect the most vigorous, the glorious, the ever-watchful, and to drink the Soma, he who is hundred-powered. The powers that are his among the five peoples, they chose for him. They prayed to Indra for great fame and unconquerable glory, trusting that by his might, they would overcome. They called him from near and from afar, inviting him from his world to theirs. Indra, steadfast and unshaken, sits in great dread, for he is firm and most active. Finally, they prayed, “May Indra show us mercy, may no harm come to us from behind, and may good be before us.