Desiring abundance and favor, the skilled poets, like master craftsmen shaping a splendid chariot, composed their hymns for Indra, seeking his grace. They adorned him with their praises as one would deck a swift horse for a race, invoking his strength for triumph and the winning of all treasures. Indra’s might is celebrated in their song: for the Purus and for the generous Divodāsa, he broke through ninety fortresses with his thunderbolt. For Atithigva, he cast down Śambara from the mountain heights, distributing great wealth and granting all riches through his unmatched power. In the heat of battle, Indra protected the noble worshiper, ever victorious in every assembly, shining forth in contests where the prize was light itself. Upholding the cosmic order, he struck down the dark foe for Manu, never failing in the fulfillment of desires, always skillful and sufficient. The sun, born with immense power, set the world in motion. At the dawn, the radiant one sent forth his speech, and the lord of all spoke. When Uśanā came from afar seeking aid, Indra, the wise sage, bestowed all blessings upon Manu, just as Turvaṇa had done for all. Praised with fresh hymns for his heroic deeds, Indra, mighty and renowned for shattering fortresses, is called upon for protection and strength. With the Divodāsas, his greatness grows ever more, expanding like the sky with each passing day. The very heavens bow down before Indra, and the vast earth stretches wide in his glory. All the gods, united, have placed him at the forefront, and may all human offerings and gifts in sacrifice be for Indra alone. At every sacrifice, the priests harness Indra, the mighty bull, each with their own strength and desire, placing him at the yoke of the contest as one would a raft or a boat. The priests seek him eagerly with their hymns and songs, yearning for his presence. Three pairs of helpers spread Indra out as the winner of the herd, the releaser of cattle. When two peoples gather, seeking cows and light, Indra reveals his mighty, companioned thunderbolt. The Purus remembered Indra’s heroic deeds when he overthrew the autumnal forts and conquered them. Indra, lord of strength, subdued the mortal and the non-sacrificer, heated the great earth, measured out the waters, and delighted in them. From the earliest times, Indra’s heroic acts have been praised, especially when, in his exhilaration, he aided the Usijs as a friend, making a channel for them in battle. Those seeking fame mingled one river with another under his guidance. May the dawn be pleased with us, mindful of our hymns and offerings, bringing us light. And when Indra, the bull, is eager to strike down the foe, may he listen to this newest song. Indra, growing strong for his devotees, strikes down the unfriendly and hostile with his thunderbolt. He destroys those who harm, hears the prayers of his worshipers, and keeps all evil far from their path. With Indra’s generous power, his followers overcome their challengers in battle. In the sacred rite, they speak for the Soma-pourer, striving for victory and the prize. He brings the prize for those seeking the sun, the wealth of dawn, or fortune at home. Indra’s slaying of Arbuda is well known, and his gifts and blessings are bestowed upon the worthy. Indra’s ancient bounty is remembered, when, in sacrifice, a dwelling for immortality was made visible for all to see. Indra, seeking the cows, knows this well among his kin. His deeds are ever to be spoken of, as when he opened the enclosure for the Angirases, seeking the herds, granting a common share, and driving away the lawless from those who press the Soma. The hero watches over those striving for wealth, those seeking fame, and those who offer praise. Long life and offspring are granted to the strong worshiper. The inspired thoughts of the gods and men alike turn to Indra’s dwelling. Together, Indra and Parvata, with weapons at the fore, drive away attackers in battle, striking them down with the thunderbolt and casting them into deep abysses if they have caused harm. They surround and scatter all enemies. With truth, heaven and earth are purified, deceits are burned away, and the enemies’ strongholds are shattered and collapsed. Indra, the stone-wielder, is called to strike down the heads of those who intend harm, cutting them with his mighty foot. He is asked to drive away bands of those who wish ill, to destroy hostile strongholds and places. Of those whom he has swept away with hostile leaps, this is his intention when he strikes. Indra is invoked to destroy the tawny missile, the demon, the sorceress, and all demon-hosts. Even unarmored, he is steadfast; by his radiance, the earth does not fear, and with his fierce weapons, he advances unconquered, slayer of the non-man, with thrice-seven powers. The one who offers Soma wins a home, removes the hatred of the gods, and receives abundant wealth from Indra—a thousandfold prize for the worshiper. Now, Vāyu is invited: come with your team, eager for the offering, let your steeds bring you for the first draught of Soma. May your wise and upright thoughts support you as you come with your team-drawn chariot for the feast. Let the exhilarating drops gladden you, Vāyu, skillfully pressed with cows. When the eager ones seek to bestow, their aids join with skill, and the teams come for the feast, their thoughts intent on the celebration. Vāyu yokes the red, the tawny, and the swiftest steeds to his chariot, best at drawing the yoke. He awakens Purandhi, the beloved, making the two worlds shine for fame, as the bringer of dawns. For Vāyu, the pure dawns spread their bright garments, and the milk-rich cow yields all treasures. The Maruts, youthful and strong, descend from the sky. The bright, pure, swift ones seek nourishment in the exhilaration, desiring to enjoy. The worshiper seeks Bhaga for strength, and Vāyu protects all beings by law, even from the sun. Among all these, Vāyu is the first to deserve the draught of Soma, and among the swiftly-moving hosts, all cows yield him rich butter. He is called to the spread seat for refreshment, with a thousand teams, for the first draught. The honey-sweet Soma is set for his delight and power. For Vāyu, the Soma, well-purified and adorned, flows into the vessel, shining. This share in life is invoked among the gods. Vāyu is invited to bring his teams and come gladly. He is called with hundreds, with thousands of teams, to the sacrifice and offerings. The radiant officiant shares with the sun, and the priests drive the bright ones for Vāyu. His chariot comes for help, for the well-prepared offerings and feast. He is to drink the honeyed Soma, for the first draught is his. Vāyu is called with shining bounty, together with Indra. To Indra and Vāyu, the thoughts of the worshipers turn at the sacrifice. The Soma is purified like a spirited horse. They are invited to drink for the delight of the devotees and to give strength and the prize. Somas pressed in the waters are borne by the priests for Indra and Vāyu. These eager Somas flow through the filter, ever-renewed, passing beyond the wool. Vāyu is urged to go beyond to the ever-flowing Soma, where the stone speaks, and Indra is called to the house. Gracious speech and clarified butter are offered, and the full troop advances to the rite. Together, Indra and Vāyu are asked to accept the sweet offering. Sons attend the sacred fig tree, and may sons be granted to the worshipers. Cows are milked, barley cooked, and the cows come up for Vāyu. Vāyu’s strong-armed, mighty ones—the bulls—fly within the rivers, growing great. Even in the desert, tireless and old, dwelling on the mountain, they are like the rays of the sun—impossible to restrain. Thus, through these hymns, the deeds and the glory of Indra and Vāyu are celebrated, their blessings invoked, and their protection sought for the worshipers, for victory, for wealth, and for the light of dawn.