Indra, mighty and powerful, had expanded the world with his strength and manliness. Generous and protective, he watched over the herds rich with cattle, wielding his thunderbolt and offering splendid aid to those who sought his favor. The people praised him with hymns, imploring the stone-wielder to grant them wealth and to strike down those who hated sacred knowledge. With his foot, Indra drove away the stingy and those who withheld wealth, for none could oppose his greatness. He was lord over the pressed and unpressed Soma, king of all the people. Longing for his heroic strength, men gazed upon Indra, the born one, and worshipped him. Established in strength and vigor, Indra excelled in might, the slayer of Vṛtra, who surpassed the midspace and upheld the heavens with his power. Indra bore the thunderbolt with both arms, united in purpose and strength. All-conquering, he surpassed all that has come into being, the source of all existences. Let Indra, lord of wealth and eager for exhilaration, come forth—steadfast in law, turned toward all victories, boundless in manliness. His chariot was well-made and his steeds well-yoked; the thunderbolt rested in his grasp. As ruler, he traveled the good path, and his manly powers increased for the Soma-drinker. Those who bore Indra, the king, thunder-armed and fierce, carried him—the bull with true strength, whose form was turned toward the assembly. As lord, wise, and support of strength, Indra was established in the vessel. He took up his power, seizing it for himself, as the Kenipānas ever increased. Riches came to those who praised him. They sought his favor and the blessings of the Soma-offerer. Indra, invincible, sat upon the sacred grass, his vessels established by law. The first divine invocations made renowned, hard-to-overcome things, and those who could not board the sacrificial ship did not settle among the Kenipas. Those who were far away, at the other shore, remained distant, their horses badly yoked. Thus, those who arrived earlier or later at the burning, where many paths and foods were found, were set apart. When Indra upheld the trembling mountain, the heavens roared and the midspaces shook. The wise one, drawing near, steadied both, and the mighty one, having drunk the exhilarating Soma, proclaimed the hymns. A well-made goad was held for Indra, by which he struck Maghavan and broke the hooves. The pressed and offered Soma was his portion in the sacrifice; Maghavan was awake to his share. With cows, barley, and all food, Indra drove away hunger and harm. With their leaders, the people sought to win the foremost wealth by their own force in the contest. Bṛhaspati protected them from behind, above, below, and from all harm, while Indra guarded them in front and in the middle, as a friend, making a path for his friends. In the three-wooded pressings, the buffalo with barley on his head, very strong, drank the Soma as he wished, pressed by Viṣṇu. Indra rejoiced in it, to perform a great deed; the god accompanied the god, the true Indra with the true Soma. Strength was sung for Indra, the chariot-leader, at the forefront. Even in gatherings and battles, the slayer of Vṛtra was their inspiration, breaking the bowstrings of others on the fields. Indra released the rivers and struck down the serpent below. Born unconquered, Indra possessed all treasures. The people embraced him, and the bowstrings of others were broken on the fields. He scattered all enemies. The hostile perished, and their thoughts were not lost. Indra set destruction for the foe who sought to harm them, whatever his gift, as giver of wealth, breaking the bowstrings of others on the fields. Indra protected them from sharp, overwhelming attacks, drove away harm, and released them. No other worshippers could detain him; the pressed offerings were for him alone. For Indra were the pressed offerings and libations; to him, hymns were sung with eager voice. Delighting in the sacrifice, Indra drank the Soma, knowing all. He who, with eager mind and heart, pressed Soma for Indra, desiring the god, had his cattle preserved and received what was praised and beautiful. But those who did not press Soma, though wealthy, became despised; Maghavan made them destitute and struck down the Brahman-hater, the one not properly addressed. Those who sought horses, cows, and prizes called upon Indra for blessing, adorning him with new favor. Offerings were made for life, to release from known and royal disease. If seizure had struck someone, Indra and Agni released him from it. Whether his life was diminished or departed, or brought near to death, he was drawn away from destruction, untouched, for a hundred autumns. With a thousand eyes, a hundredfold strength, and a hundred years of life, the offering was made; as Indra led him through the autumns, he crossed beyond all misfortune. He lived a hundred autumns, growing; a hundred winters, a hundred springs. Indra, Agni, Savitṛ, and Bṛhaspati granted a hundred years of life; the offering restored him. All his limbs, sight, and life were found and renewed. Agni, united with Brahman, destroyer of demons, drove away the disease that seized the embryo, the evil affliction lodged in the womb. Whatever disease attacked the embryo, Agni, together with Brahman, expelled it, driving out the devourer of flesh. Whatever attacked—flying, sitting, crawling, whatever was born and sought harm—was destroyed. Whatever moved between the thighs while the couple lay together, whatever entered the womb, was destroyed. Whoever, being brother or husband or lover, lay with her and sought to harm the offspring, that, too, was destroyed. Whoever, having deluded with sleep and darkness, lay with her and sought to harm the offspring, was destroyed. Thus, through the power and grace of Indra and the gods, protection, strength, and blessings were bestowed upon the faithful, and all harm was driven away.