Indra, sovereign of wealth and master of treasures, stood as the noblest of friends—the very lord of friendship. The sages called upon him to join with the Maruts, the storm-gods, and to accept the offerings presented in due order. With reverence and heartfelt devotion, the hymn was offered, seeking the favor of the swift Maruts. The supplicants implored these givers of worthy gifts to remove reproach and set free the horses, symbols of vitality and strength. The Maruts were praised with minds and hearts shaped by devotion, and the people invited them to draw near, accepting the offerings with their divine minds, for reverence alone strengthens the gods. The people prayed for mercy from the Maruts and from Maghavan—Indra—who was ever gracious. They wished for the pleasant woods to stand upright and for victory to be granted by the Maruts each day. In moments of fear, the people sought the Maruts’ protection, even as they fled from Indra’s might. They offered sharp gifts, acknowledging their different actions, and pleaded for mercy. They honored the one who counts the mornings and the dawns, whose strength endures, the mighty bull among the Maruts, and prayed for fame and steadfastness. Indra was invoked for protection, accompanied by those even stronger, to ward off reproach. With Indra and the Maruts, the people sought to be guided wisely, to conquer, and to live long and victorious among their kin. The approach of the Maruts was called upon to be splendid, their aid radiant, shining like serpents in their glory. Their sharp weapons and stones were wished far away, so that only their generosity would remain. Around the dwelling of Tṛṇaskanda, the Maruts spread their protection, raising the people upright for life. In the sky, the Sama-song was sung, praising the radiant, resounding one. Cows, unbound, moved toward the divine abode, symbols of abundance and unending gifts. The bull, honored with offerings and praise, was yoked for sacrifice—noble, worshipful, the hotar priest bringing forth the twin offerings with mind and song. The hotar marked the dwelling, carrying the seed from the broad earth; the neighing horse led the way, roaring, while the cow moved as a messenger between heaven and earth, uttering sacred words. The divine deeds, borne by Ashtar and the ancient ones, were celebrated. Indra, radiant with splendor, rejoiced like the skilled Nasatyas, the lords of chariots. The people praised Indra, truly strong and heroic, generous and skilled, the destroyer of darkness, who conquered the mighty even in opposition. When Indra’s greatness was manifest among men, the two worlds seemed to be in his embrace; he united the peoples, supported the vast earth, and upheld the sky like a roof. In battle, Indra was the mightiest, renowned for victory. The earths, in their joy, praised him, and at the Soma-pressings, the waters rejoiced in him. All things delighted Indra, and he guided the peoples as a lord, granting the cow as a blessing to those who desired. As a friend, pleased and generous, Indra was praised with songs; swift in deeds, he guided the hymns of men. Without rivals, Indra was honored with song, the wielder of the thunderbolt, the good lord, approached in sacrifice as a friend. In every sacrifice, someone sought Indra, even with the mind alone; at the crossing, the longing for his generosity was like a thirst, making the path smooth for the journey ahead. The people pleaded with Indra not to abandon them in battles with the gods, for his strength was ever new. Even the Maruts, renowned for generosity, praised him with song and offering. The praise was for Indra and for the people; with it, they sought the path and wished for good fortune, hoping to know their people as long-lived. Indra was hailed as king, protector of men, true lord, and savior. The Vasus, united and powerful, were invoked for their strength. Indra was asked to drive away hostile voices, to break seven fortresses and grant protection in the season of autumn. He was called to release the waters without blame, to break Vṛtra for Purukutsa. Indra’s deeds were recounted: he protected the wives of heroes, upheld the sky, destroyed demons and the sins of the wealthy, and laid down in the womb for glory. He released the waters after battle, stood firm with splendid steeds, and sought prizes. He carried Kutsa in his chariot, harnessed with the swift horses of the wind, sent the sun’s wheel forward, and with thunder-armed might drove away foes. Indra struck down enemies like Mitra, urged on the swift, and brought offspring to the deserving. In the contest for the sun, he gave the earth as support, made three shining gifts, and was asked not to grant a home to the malicious. Ever new powers came to him, strength from the sky to overcome obstacles; he shattered fortresses and never bowed to the deadly god’s drink. As a shaker, Indra shook the trembling ones and released the waters like flowing streams. When he crossed the sea, he led Turvaśa and Yadu to safety. Indra was invoked as all-protecting, unassailable, the lord of men, conqueror of all contests, and the one who would help the people to be long-lived. His exhilaration was compared to the strongest drink, his Soma powerful and bestowing a thousand prizes. The people wished for that exhilarating intoxication to come to them, for Indra, mighty in battle, was unconquered by mortals. As the hero and winner, he urged on the chariot of men, destroyed the lawless Dasyu like fire in a vessel, and was asked to steal away the sun, bring destruction to Śuṣṇa, and carry Kutsa with the wind’s horses. Indra’s intoxication was most glorious, his strength unmatched; as slayer of Vṛtra and provider of wide space, he was asked to be ever mindful and generous. Just as he had been for former singers, never satiated like the waters, so was he invoked now, that the people might be long-lived. Finally, the people prayed that Indra would delight in them for their well-being, with the exhilarating Soma, as the bull of the people. Invoked by the eager, he would ensure that the hostile ones would never triumph, and that his blessings would always prevail.