The sages gathered with reverence, their voices rising in prayer and hope. With hearts full of devotion, they sought to win Indra’s favor—through the priesthood, through inspired hymns, and through true, glorious invocations. They yearned for abundant riches, heroic power, and the wisdom to turn the ill-minded toward good counsel. Calling upon Indra, worthy of worship, they beseeched him with shining words. They prayed that Indra, with his own radiant aids, would bring them distinction and scatter the assemblies of those with evil intent. Let the hostile be struck down, they implored, never to rise again—like a broken reed on the ground. With unfailing wealth and unyielding might, they asked Indra to lead them on their journey, driving away demons and guarding them both from afar and from near, on every path they traveled. Indra’s greatness, they proclaimed, subdues the mighty. He is the most powerful protector, the immortal guide of the chariot, the steadfast friend in times of need. May harm fall not upon them, but upon those who wish them ill, for Indra is the crusher of enemies. They called upon him to protect them from envy, to drive away the evil-minded and never abandon the inspired. For the creator has fashioned Indra as the slayer of demons and the benefactor of the good. With longing, they invited Indra to come from afar, like the sun at its setting, like a true lord to his people. They called him eagerly with the pressed Soma, as sons call upon their father for strength. “Drink the Soma, O Indra,” they sang, “as a thirsty calf drinks at the udder, for your delight and your great strength. Let your bays bring you swiftly, as the gods bring the sun.” They remembered Indra’s ancient deeds: how he found the hidden treasure in the sky, the embryo of truth wrapped in stone, and dispelled the darkness like the Angirases before him. Indra opened the closed doors of treasure, wielding his thunderbolt like an axe to slay the serpent and carve a path for all. With his might, he let the rivers flow freely toward the ocean, their bounty nourishing all people like cows yielding milk. The poets, desiring wealth and favor, shaped their hymns for Indra as craftsmen shape a chariot, adorning him with praise fit for contests and races. They recalled how Indra broke ninety fortresses for the Purus and Divodāsa, how he cast down Śambara from the mountain for Atithigva, distributing wealth with his power. In battles, Indra protected the noble worshiper, ever victorious, upholding the law and fulfilling all desires without fail. When the sun was born with great power and set the wheel in motion, Indra granted blessings to Manu, as Turvaṇa did for all. Praised with new hymns, Indra, the mighty hero, shattered fortresses and grew in greatness with the Divodāsas, his glory expanding like the sky. For Indra, the sky bows down and the earth widens with gifts of glory. All the gods, united, placed him at the forefront, and all human offerings and gifts are made to him. At every sacrifice, Indra is yoked like a mighty bull, sought by priests with hymns and songs. Three pairs of helpers spread him out as the winner of the herd, the releaser of the cattle. When peoples gather seeking cows and light, Indra reveals his thunderbolt, companioned by might. The Purus knew Indra’s heroic deeds when he conquered the autumnal forts and subdued the non-sacrificer. He heated the earth and measured the waters, delighting in their abundance. From the beginning, his deeds have been praised, for he aided the Usijs as a friend and made channels for their rivers in battle. They prayed for the dawn to be pleased and mindful, bringing light and accepting their offerings. When Indra, the bull, was eager to strike down foes, they offered their newest song. Indra, growing strong for his devotees, destroys the unfriendly and hears the prayers of the renowned, keeping harm and evil thoughts far from his people. With Indra’s generous strength, they sought to overcome in battle and win the prize for the Soma-pourer. Indra, famed for striking down Arbuda and granting gifts, was invoked for his ancient bounty—the dwelling of immortality in sacrifice, a vision for all to see. Indra, ever seeking the cows, knows the path among his kin. They recounted how Indra opened the enclosure for the Angirases, granting them a common share and fighting for his people. He drives away the lawless, even the angry, from those who press the Soma. He watches over those who seek wealth and fame, granting long life and offspring to those who worship with strength. The inspired thoughts of the gods and men alike turn always to Indra’s dwelling. Indra and Parvata, with their weapons at the forefront, drive away those who attack in battle, casting foes into deep abyss and scattering enemies on every side. With truth, the priests purify heaven and earth, burning away deceit and shattering the strongholds of the hostile. Indra is asked to strike the heads of those who intend harm and drive away their bands from all places. He is the destroyer of demons and sorceresses, the remover of all evil hosts. Unarmored yet steadfast, Indra’s radiance causes the sky to shine and the earth to be unafraid. He advances with mighty weapons, unconquered, slayer of the non-man, wielding his thrice-seven powers. Those who offer Soma win homes and strength, removing all hatred and gaining a thousandfold prize. Indra, generous as ever, grants abundant wealth to those who worship. Then, the sages called upon Vāyu: “Come with your swift team to the feast, eager for the first draught of Soma. Let your upright thoughts guide you. Let the exhilarating drops gladden you, O Vāyu, as the pressed Soma is offered with skill. Your teams come aligned for the feast, their thoughts joined in celebration.” Vāyu yokes his red, tawny, and swift steeds to his chariot, awakening Purandhi, the beloved, and making the two worlds shine for fame. For Vāyu, the pure dawns spread out their garments, and the cow yields all treasures. The Maruts, youthful and strong, drive forth from the heavens. For Vāyu, the bright and pure ones seek nourishment and joy, and worshippers seek Bhaga for strength. Vāyu protects all beings by law, guarding them even from the sun. Thus, the sages’ voices rose in praise and supplication, recounting the deeds of Indra and Vāyu, seeking their protection, blessings, and the fulfillment of all desires for themselves and all people.