In the days of the ancient seers, the bountiful Indra stood as a mighty upholder of the world. With his strength, he supported and spread out the earth itself, and with his thunderbolt he struck down barriers, releasing the pent-up waters. In his triumph, he slew the monstrous serpent, split open the mountains, and with his powers, destroyed the cloud that held back the rains. Ever youthful and confident in his own might, Indra pressed forward, breaking the strongholds of the Dasyus, the foes of light and order. With his celebrated weapon, the thunderbolt, he increased the glory and strength of the Aryas. Men have spoken of these deeds through the ages, honoring Indra’s name as the generous one, the slayer of enemies, whose fame is established everywhere. Behold the abundance that Indra bestows! Place your faith in his power, for he it was who discovered the cows and the horses, who brought forth the plants, the waters, and the forests for humankind. Let us press the Soma for the mighty bull, the doer of great deeds, whose strength is unwavering and whose justice is true. Like a vigilant warrior, he comes, dividing the wealth of the godless and sharing it among the faithful. Indra’s heroic deeds are sung by all. With his thunderbolt he awakened the sleeping serpent, and all his wives—the birds, and indeed all the gods—rejoiced in his victory. He slew the enemies Śuṣṇa, Pipru, Kuyava, and Vṛtra, and shattered the ninety-nine fortresses of Śambara. In all these acts, may Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven look kindly upon us and not bring us harm for Indra’s triumphs. Indra’s seat is established in its rightful place—let him sit there, resounding like a roaring bull. Let the horses be unharnessed, the chariots set aside to rest after their long journey, as evening falls. Eager men hasten to seek Indra, and the gods, turning aside the wrath of the Dāsa, bring prosperity to the Arya people. By his own power, Indra brings forth the shining one, and by his might, he causes the foam upon the water. Bathed in milk, like a bride, Kuyava is slain at the slope of the udder. Indra joined the navel of the two upper worlds, and as a hero, he moves forward with the ancient ones. The swift wives of heroes, bearing water in vessels, pour forth milk, and the thunderbolt flashes in their hands. Whenever Indra’s guidance appears from afar, the wise go straight to the home of the Dasyu, and so, O generous one, protect us with your praise. Do not be stingy with your gifts. Indra, whether you are in the sun or in the waters, grant us sinless prosperity and long life. Do not withhold your strong arm from us, for our faith rests upon your great power. We place our trust in you, O mighty Indra; urge yourself on for great wealth. Do not leave us hungry at your seat, nor deprive us of sustenance. Do not strike us down, nor drive us away; do not take away our beloved food. Do not break our eggs nor shatter our vessels, O generous one, born with us from the beginning. Come, Indra, for the Soma has been pressed—drink of it and be delighted. Fill your belly, and like a loving father, hear us as we call upon you. In the vastness of creation, the moon dwells within the waters, and the eagle soars across the sky. The golden-wheeled tracks of the gods are mysterious, marked only by lightning. I know the two worlds of him. The seeker finds what is sought, the young wife finds her husband, the cow gives nourishing milk, yielding her essence. I know the two worlds of him. O gods, do not let the sunless one fall from the sky; may we never be without the delight of Soma. I know the two worlds of him. I ask about the last sacrifice, and the messenger will declare it. Where has the ancient rite gone? Who now upholds it? I know the two worlds of him. The gods dwell in the three luminous realms of heaven. When is the right, and when the wrong? Where is the ancient offering? I know the two worlds of him. When will we hold to the support of truth? When shall we have Varuṇa’s vision, and cross the greatness of Aryaman? I know the two worlds of him. I am the one who, in times past, spoke at the ritual—whatever things there were. The wealthy do not hinder me, just as a wolf does not thirst for a deer. My possession is these two worlds. Yet, they burn me on all sides, like rival wives with their jealousy. Like a mouse gnawing, they bite at me, O hundred-powered one; still, my possession is these two worlds. The seven rays are here, and there my navel is stretched. Trita knows this attainment and cries out for kinship. My possession is these two worlds. The five oxen stand in the midst of the great heaven, where the gods gather and speak among themselves. My possession is these two worlds. Those with beautiful wings sit in the middle enclosure of heaven, blocking the paths like a wolf crossing the great waters. My possession is these two worlds. The new, beneficial hymn is well spoken by the gods. The rivers bear the truth, and the sun stretches forth the real. My possession is these two worlds. O Agni, your hymn among the gods is to be accepted. Lead us as a wise man leads, for you know the gods best. My possession is these two worlds. Agni is established as the priest, knowing the gods well, gladly receiving the offerings, the wise among the gods. My possession is these two worlds. The priest acts, and Varuṇa knows the path we seek. He unfolds thought with his heart; may the new truth be born. My possession is these two worlds. The path made by the sun in heaven is to be spoken of; the gods do not transgress it, and mortals do not see it. My possession is these two worlds. Trita, placed in the well, called upon the gods for help. Brihaspati heard and made the difficult easy and wide. My possession is these two worlds. The reddish wolf saw me once, traveling the path, rising from the low place like a craftsman from the back of a chariot. My possession is these two worlds. With this goad, powered by Indra, we advance in the assembly, all heroic. May Mitra, Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, and Heaven not harm us. So, we invoke Indra, Mitra, Varuṇa, Agni, the Maruts, Aditi, the Vasus, and all the generous gods for help. Like a chariot that rescues from distress, O Vasus, O givers, deliver us from every trouble. Let the Adityas come for universal protection; let the gods be favorable as we overcome our foes. May our well-spoken fathers and the divine daughters, children of the gods and grown in truth, protect us. We seek Narashansa, the winner of prizes, the provider of strength, the protector of heroes, and Pushan, who brings blessings. O Brihaspati, make our path easy and grant us happiness. What Manu desired, we too seek. Like a chariot from difficulty, O Vasus, O givers, deliver us from every distress.