Kutsa, the sage, found himself in need and called upon mighty Indra, the slayer of Vritra and lord of strength, seeking his aid at Kāṭa. He invoked the generous Vasus, imploring them to deliver the people from every distress, just as a skilled charioteer skillfully frees his chariot from a difficult path. In this time of supplication, Kutsa prayed that the goddess Aditi would shield them, together with all the gods, and that the divine guardian would protect them without delay. He pleaded that Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky would bring no harm. As the sacrifice approached, seeking the favor of the gods, the people turned to the Adityas, asking for their mercy and graciousness. They prayed for the path that would allow them to overcome hardship. The gods were praised with the ancient songs of the Angirasas, and their aid was sought: Indra with his powers, the Maruts with their company, and Aditi with the Adityas. All were called upon for protection. Again, the names of the gods were spoken with reverence—Indra, Varuna, Agni, Aryaman, and Savitar—each asked to grant their blessings. The prayer was repeated: may Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky not harm the devotees. Indra and Agni, the twin powers, were invoked together. Their splendid chariot, resplendent and swift, was said to survey all the worlds. The people called them to come together, to stand firm, and to partake of the pressed Soma. The Soma prepared for them was as vast and deep as the world itself, offered for their delight. Indra and Agni, united in might and auspicious name, renowned as slayers of Vritra, were invited to sit together and drink the strong Soma. When the sacred fires were kindled, the ladle ready, and the holy grass spread, the people called Indra and Agni to come joyfully, surrounded by the strength of Soma. All their heroic deeds, ancient forms, and mighty acts were remembered, as well as their old, auspicious friendships. With these, the people asked them to drink the pressed Soma. The priest recalled how, at the very beginning, he had chosen Indra and Agni, declaring, “This Soma is to be invoked by us with the lords.” Trusting in this truth, he invited them to drink. Whatever joy Indra and Agni had found in their own home or in the king’s sacred rite, they were called from there to partake in the Soma. No matter where Indra and Agni might be—among the Yadus, Turvashas, Druhyus, Anus, or Purus—they were summoned to come and drink. Whether on the lowest, middle, or highest earth, in the sky, on the earth, among mountains, plants, or waters, wherever they rejoiced in the rising sun or in the midst of heaven by their own power, they were called from all those places to the sacrifice, to drink the pressed Soma. After Indra and Agni had drunk the Soma, the people prayed that these mighty ones would win all treasures for them. And again, they asked that Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky would bring no harm. The one who offered the hymns spoke with longing and devotion. He sought to know, with a mind desiring wealth, both what is manifest and what is hidden, turning to Indra and Agni as his greatest delight. For them, he shaped a thought that brings strength. He had heard of their abundant giving, whether from the wise or from others, and so, with Soma pressed, he composed a new hymn of praise for Indra and Agni. He prayed that they would not cut off the reins of tradition, but follow in the power of their fathers. He wondered whom these mighty ones, Indra and Agni, would delight in, for the stones that pressed the Soma rested at the altar’s lap. By the power of Indra and Agni, the divine altar, longing for the intoxication of Soma, pressed the sacred drink. The Ashvins, with auspicious hands and fair palms, were invited to come swiftly and mix the Soma with sweetness in the waters. Indra and Agni were renowned as the most powerful in the division of wealth and the slaying of Vritra. Seated on the sacred grass at the sacrifice, they were asked to delight themselves in the Soma among the people. Their light shone forth in battles, spreading over earth and sky, excelling among rivers and mountains, surpassing all worlds in greatness. The people called, “Come, teach and guide us, O wielders of the thunderbolt; protect us with your powers.” They remembered the rays of the Sun, by which their fathers had attained kinship with the gods. They asked the destroyers of cities to teach them, to protect them in battles, and, once more, that Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky would bring no harm. The devotee’s prayer was stretched out, offering protection once again. The sweetest thought was praised for the hymn, and the ocean of offering was made ready for all the gods. The Ribhus were called to be satisfied with the offering made with ‘svaha.’ When some wished to enjoy abundance, the waters sometimes flowed away or turned aside. The Ribhus of the Sudhanvanas were asked to come in greatness to the house of the worshipper of Savitar. The people prayed that Savitar would grant the Ribhus immortality, the hidden thing they had revealed, for they had made one drinking cup of the god into four, though it was only one. Though mortal, the Ribhus attained immortality through their skill and swiftness. With the vision of the sun, they were questioned together in a year by their thoughts. Like a field, they measured out with skill, making one vessel into four. Honored among the immortals, they sought fame. The people offered their thoughts like clarified butter, with knowledge, to the Ribhus, who, with the swiftness of their father, ascended the prize of strength through the sky. Ribhu, though not Indra, was new in might, a giver of wealth with prizes and riches. With the help of the gods, the people prayed to stand firm in the beloved day of contest, among those who press Soma. The Ribhus’ skill was wondrous. They fashioned a cow from the hide, recreated the mother with the calf, and with their craft, made the parents young again. They were asked to grant the winning of wealth, for even Indra had seen their bounty. Again, the prayer rose: may Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky not harm us. The Ribhus fashioned a well-made chariot, strong steeds for Indra, and youthful vigor for their fathers. For the calf, they fashioned the mother together with the earth. The people called for the two Ribhus to come to the sacrifice with wisdom, skill, and abundant offspring, to grant food for strength and discernment, so they might dwell among all-powerful peoples. They asked for vigor for their band, endowed with the might of the Ribhus. They prayed for prosperity: for their chariot, for their journey, and for victorious prosperity in all battles, with skill. Indra, lord of the Ribhus, was invoked for help; the Ribhus and the Maruts, for the enjoyment of Soma. Mitra, Varuna, the Ashvins, and all the gods were asked to inspire prosperity and victorious thought. The Ribhus were asked to unite prosperity for the bearer, to let the victorious banner bring it. And finally, the prayer was offered once more: may Mitra, Varuna, Aditi, the river, the earth, and the sky not diminish our prosperity. Thus, in a great weaving of praise and petition, the sages and people called upon the gods—Indra and Agni, the Adityas, the Ribhus, and all the divine powers—for protection, guidance, prosperity, and victory, trusting always in their mercy and might.