The Kuśikas, filled with devotion, called upon Indra to join their sacred gathering. They invited him to come and delight in the pressed Soma, asking him to grant them renewed life and to inspire their singer to compose a thousand songs. Their prayers surrounded Indra, the lover of hymns, from every side, offering blessings that lengthen life and bring joy. All their songs rose up to magnify Indra, whose greatness stretched like the vast ocean. He was celebrated as the finest charioteer among all charioteers, the true lord of rewards, the master of all. In friendship with Indra, the people felt strong and fearless, praising him as the unconquered victor. His many gifts and aids never failed; when he bestowed wealth, especially cattle, the praisers rejoiced in his bounty. Indra, young and wise, endowed with boundless might, was born to break forts and uphold all actions. Wielder of the thunderbolt, praised by many, he was the stone-splitter who opened the cave of Vala, rich in cattle. The gods, once terrified, sought him out and approached when urged. Through Indra’s gifts, even wide rivers could be crossed; singers and poets, knowing this, drew near to him, the lover of song. With his powers of illusion, Indra overcame the cunning Śuṣṇa, and his wise followers knew of his triumph, raising their praises high. Hymns flowed toward Indra, the lord of might, whose gifts were a thousandfold and even more abundant. Turning to their ritual, the people chose Agni as their messenger. Agni, the priest who knows all, possessed skill for the sacrifice. With offerings, they always invoked Agni, lord of the people, beloved carrier of oblations. Born upon the well-laid altar grass, Agni was called to bring the gods near, worthy of praise as the priest. Agni was asked to awaken those eager gods when he went as messenger, and to sit with them upon the altar. Radiant and accepting offerings of ghee, Agni burned away all harmful ones, protecting against evil. Through Agni, Agni himself was kindled—wise, youthful, master of the house, carrier of offerings, and invoker. They praised Agni, the sage, true to law in ritual, the god who wards off harm. Whoever honored Agni as lord of offerings and messenger, Agni became their protector. Whoever invoked Agni with offerings for the favor of the gods, Agni granted kindness. So, radiant Agni was asked to bring the gods, to accept the sacrifice and offering. The people who praised him sought wealth with heroic sons, through the newest Gāyatrī hymn. Agni, with pure flame and divine invocations, was asked to accept their hymn. Well-kindled, Agni was called to bring the gods to the one offering oblations, to worship and serve as pure priest. The wise asked Agni to make a honey-sweet sacrifice among the gods for their well-being. Narāśaṃsa, dear to the sacrifice, was called with honeyed tongue, prepared for offering. Agni, in the most pleasant chariot, was asked to bring the gods when invoked, as the priest established by Manu. The wise spread sacrificial grass, coated with clarified butter, where visions of immortality are found. The divine doors, nourished by immortality, were asked to open wide for the offering, today and now. Night and Dawn, adorned with beauty, were called to the sacrifice, to sit upon the sacred grass. The divine priests, skilled and eloquent with well-shaped tongues, were summoned to perform the sacrifice. Ilā, Sarasvatī, and Mahī, the three gracious goddesses, were invited to sit unhindered upon the sacred grass. Tvaṣṭar, the foremost of manifold forms, was called to be solely theirs. The Lord of the Forest was asked to release the offering for the gods, so the giver’s intention would be fulfilled. With svāhā, the sacrifice for Indra was performed in the sacrificer’s house, and the gods were called. With praises, Agni was invited to come with all the gods to drink Soma, to approach and enjoy. The Kanvas called Agni, the wise sang his praises, and Agni was asked to come with the gods. Indra and Vāyu, Bṛhaspati, Mitra, Agni, Pūṣan, Bhaga, the Ādityas, and the Marut host were all invoked. The exhilarating drops, eager and delightful, were carried to the gods—the shining juices pressed from honey. The Kanvas, seeking help, spread the sacred grass, offered oblations, and honored the gods. Fires, yoked by thought, with clarified butter on their backs, brought the gods to drink Soma. Thus, the people, through song, sacrifice, and offering, called upon Indra, Agni, and the host of gods, seeking their presence, blessings, and protection, in a ritual woven with reverence, praise, and devotion.