O mighty one, son of strength, the bull’s resonant voice rises in praise of you, lauding your greatness. We, too, lift our voices in your honor, seeking your favor as our champion, that with your support we may enjoy a long and prosperous life. Thus, as in ages past, the sons of Vṛṣṭihavya sang their hymns to you, Agni, the wise sage. Protect those who offer you homage, their leaders and all who call out, “vaṣaṭ, vaṣaṭ,” raising their voices in reverence. Now, Indra, drink the Soma for your immense power. Drink, O most mighty, that you may overcome your foes. Drink for wealth and strength when called upon; drink the sweet, pressed Soma and become ever more powerful. Let this rich and flowing Soma, prepared with care, delight you, Indra. Let it bring you well-being and joy of mind; come close and bestow upon us radiant good fortune. Let the heavenly Soma and that which is pressed on earth intoxicate you, Indra. Let the very Soma by which you created spacious realms and destroyed your enemies fill you with strength. Come, Indra the bull, drawn by your two tawny steeds, to the twice-barred, well-poured drink. For the sake of cattle, for the honeyed Soma that flows, may you, the slayer of foes, be invigorated and strong. Burn away, O fierce one, the sharp and fiery weapons of the sorcerers. Cut down their firm defenses. To you I offer strength and power—go forth and strike down our enemies in battle. Expand your fame and might, Indra, like a strong bow against those who oppose us. Grow in strength with us, unassailable, and increase your own glory. This offering is prepared for you, O bountiful one. Accept it with joy, O king. For you the Soma is pressed, for you the food is cooked—eat and drink of the flowing one, Indra. Eat of the offerings set before you, Indra; accept from us the cooked food and the pressed Soma. Eagerly we honor you—may the sacrificer’s wishes be fulfilled. With fair words I invoke Indra and Agni, as one launches a boat with oars upon the river. As the gods move among us, may they grant us wealth and bring forth treasures. The gods do not bring hunger or death, nor do spirits trouble the one who feeds himself. But wealth does not remain with one who does not give, and the one who does not share finds no supporter. He who gives food to the hungry, to the thirsty, to the needy, strengthens his own heart and serves others before himself. Even in hardship, he does not lack support. Truly generous is he who gives food in his home to those who desire it, who moves among the thin and hungry. He becomes a friend to all who call upon him and forges bonds even with strangers. He is not a friend who does not give to a companion or to one who seeks help and remains loyal. One should turn away from such a person, for there is no home with him; even at death, one wishes for another who gives. Let one give to those in need, to those who lack food. Let him look to the path of the greater, for as the wheels of a chariot turn, so do riches pass from one to another. The one without understanding obtains food in vain—this is truth and his own destruction. He fosters neither friendship nor supports a companion. He alone eats sin who eats alone. The ploughman prepares the plough and clears the field by his actions. Let the speaker speak, but let the giver be greater; let the one who gives surpass the one who does not. The one-footed surpasses the two-footed, and the two-footed overtakes the three-footed from behind; the four-footed finds the two-footed in the gathering, observing the rows as he takes his place. Even two hands are not equal, nor do two mothers give milk alike. The strength of twins is not the same, and even among relatives, not all give equally. O Agni, you slay the restrainer, shining among mortals in your pure abode, steadfast in your vow. You rise, well-invoked, delighting in offerings of ghee, for which ladles are prepared for you. When invoked, Agni, worthy of praise, shines forth, anointed on the surface with the ladle. Agni is anointed with ghee, his face sweet as honey when called upon; the radiant one shines brightly. Though you grow old, you blaze anew, carrier of offerings to the gods; mortals call upon you. Mortals worship you, Agni the immortal, with ghee, you who are the inviolable lord of the house. With your invincible flame, Agni, burn up the demon; shine as the guardian of truth. With your shining face, Agni, drive away the sorcerers; shine brightly in the spacious abodes. They have kindled you, O carrier of offerings, with hymns in the spacious abodes; you are most fit for sacrifice among men. Thus my mind thinks: “May I obtain a cow, a horse; perhaps I may drink of Soma.” My thoughts, stirred like the winds, are excited and intoxicated; perhaps it is the effect of Soma. My mind soars, as swift horses draw a chariot; perhaps this too is Soma’s effect. My thought returns to me, like a cow to her beloved calf; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. I wander, like a craftsman around his work, seeking wisdom with my heart; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. Not even five tribes could restrain me; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. Neither both worlds, nor even another wing, can hold me back; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. I surpass the sky in greatness, and the vast earth as well; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. Indeed, I could place this earth here or there as I wish; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. I could dry up the earth or shake it as I please; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. One of my wings is in the sky, the other I have made below; perhaps this is the effect of Soma. Thus, through praise, offering, generosity, and the exalted state of mind brought by Soma, the gods are honored, the fire is kindled, and the heart soars beyond all bounds, filled with the wonder of divine intoxication.