The assembly gathered in reverence, invoking Indra, the mighty king. His chariot was finely crafted, his steeds yoked with care, and in his hand gleamed the thunderbolt, sign of his supreme power. As ruler, he was urged to travel the noble path, his strength increasing for those who honor him with Soma. Indra, fierce and thunder-armed, was called to be carried to the congregation by those who bear him—the powerful ones bringing forth the bull of true strength, whose form turned kindly toward his devotees. As lord and wise supporter of strength, Indra was established within the sacrificial vessel. He was exhorted to seize his power, as the Kenipānas, ever-growing in vigor, do. The people prayed for riches, offering their praise to Indra. They sought his favor, the blessings that come from offering Soma. Indra, invincible, was welcomed to sit upon the sacred grass, his vessels established by law. The first divine invocations had made certain renowned things, difficult to overcome. Those unable to board the sacrificial ship could not settle among the Kenipas. The assembly wished that those far away, on the other shore, whose horses were poorly yoked, remain distant. Thus, whether they arrived earlier or later at the burning, where many paths and foods awaited, only the worthy would gather. When the trembling mountain was upheld, the heavens roared, and the midspaces shook; the wise one, Indra, approached and steadied both earth and sky. Having drunk the exhilarating Soma, he proclaimed hymns of power. The worshippers held out a well-made goad for Indra, by which he strikes Maghavan and breaks hooves. They prayed that the pressed and offered Soma be his portion in this sacrifice, urging Maghavan to be alert for his share. With cows, barley, and all food, Indra was asked to drive away hunger and harm, so that the assembly, with their leaders, might win the foremost wealth by their own strength in the contest. Bṛhaspati was invoked to protect from behind, above, below, and from all harm, while Indra guarded in front and in the middle, like a friend making a path for his companions. During the three-wooded pressings, the buffalo with barley on his head, strong and mighty, drank the Soma as he wished, pressed by Viṣṇu. Indra rejoiced in it, ready to perform a great deed—god accompanying god, the true Indra with the true Soma. Strength was sung for Indra, chariot-leader at the forefront. In gatherings and battles, he was invoked as the slayer of Vṛtra, inspiration for victory, so that the bowstrings of others would break on the fields. Indra released the rivers, struck down the serpent below, and was born unconquered, possessing all treasures. The assembly embraced him, praying once more for the bowstrings of others to break. They sought Indra’s help to scatter enemies, let hostile ones perish, and keep their thoughts clear. Indra was asked to set destruction against foes who sought harm, whatever his gift, as giver of wealth, so that the bowstrings of others would break. Prayers continued for protection from sharp, overwhelming attacks, for harm to be driven away, and for release from danger. Indra was asked not to be detained by other worshippers, for these pressed offerings were meant for him alone. The libations and hymns, with eager voices, called to Indra, delighting in the sacrifice, asking him to drink the Soma, knowing all. Those who pressed Soma for Indra with eager mind and heart, desiring the god, would not lose their cattle; instead, Indra granted them what was praised and beautiful. But those who, though wealthy, did not press Soma for him became despised—Maghavan made them destitute, striking down the Brahman-hater, the one not properly addressed. The assembly called Indra for those seeking horses, cows, and prizes, wishing to adorn him with new favor and to receive his blessing. Offerings were made for life, to release from known and royal disease. If seizure had struck anyone, Indra and Agni were invoked to release them. Whether life was diminished, departed, or near death, prayers were made to draw the afflicted 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, asking Indra to lead through the autumns and cross beyond all misfortune. The wish was for a hundred autumns, winters, and springs of life, granted by Indra, Agni, Savitṛ, and Bṛhaspati. The offering was made, and the afflicted was found, renewed, with all limbs, sight, and life restored. Agni, united with Brahman, destroyer of demons, was invoked to drive away disease that had seized the embryo, the evil affliction lodged in the womb. Whatever attacked—flying, sitting, crawling, born to harm—was destroyed. Whatever moved between thighs or entered the womb was destroyed. Whoever, as brother, husband, or lover, sought to harm offspring, was destroyed. Whoever, having deluded with sleep and darkness, sought harm, was destroyed. From eyes, nostrils, ears, chin, head, brain, and tongue, disease was removed. From neck, crown, cough, throat, shoulders, flesh, and arms, disease was removed. From heart, lungs, sides, sinews, spleen, liver, intestines, rectum, inner parts, belly, flanks, and navel, disease was removed. From thighs, bones, heels, feet, hips, and buttocks, consuming disease was removed. From urine, generative organs, hair, nails, and the entire self, disease was removed. In every limb, at every hair, at every joint, whatever disease was in the skin, with the healing of Kashyapa, it was removed entirely. Desire and the lord of the mind were asked to depart, to move elsewhere, to look far from misfortune, so that the mind of the living one might be manifold. The assembly, united in purpose, approached Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, offering pressed Soma and adorning the renowned one. Even the wolf, restrained, was adorned in his paths. Indra, with brilliant insight, was invoked to accept their praise and come to them. Thus, the sacred gathering honored Indra, seeking his favor, strength, and protection, offering Soma, prayers, and healing, that they may prosper and be guarded in every way.