In the early dawn, the worshippers prepared their sacred space, spreading fresh grass and pressing the Soma, their hearts filled with devotion. With reverence, they called upon the wondrous Ashvins—youthful, ever-truthful twins—inviting them to come swiftly along the Rudra-paths, drawn by the scent of the Soma and the sanctity of the offering. Their voices then rose to Indra, the radiant and mighty one. “Come, O Indra,” they implored, “these libations, pressed and purified with gentle hands, are yours alone.” With inspired prayers, the wise among them summoned Indra to the Soma-offering, inviting him to listen to their hymns and to accept their devotion with eagerness. They called him golden and glorious, urging him to come at the pressing, to partake in their offering. Not only Indra, but all the sustaining gods of the people were called forth. “Come, all you gods, accept the pressed Soma from your worshipper,” they cried. “Guardians, come swiftly, as the dawns hurry to their sisters, to partake in this sacred drink. Come, all you gods, unerring and free from deceit; may the pure flames bear our offerings to you.” With special honor, they invoked Sarasvati, radiant goddess, rich in horses and strength, wise and all-seeing. They prayed that she, inspirer of noble speech and perceiver of pure thoughts, would bless and establish their sacrifice. As the great river with her banner awakened and shone forth in every thought, the worshippers felt her presence enliven their minds. Turning their attention higher, they offered their worship to the shaper of beauty in heaven and earth, as one draws rich milk from a cow. “Come to our pressings, O Soma-drinker, delight in the joy that is yours,” they sang. “Let us know the extent of your favor—do not pass us by, but come to us.” They urged one another to go beyond rivalry, to seek Indra’s wisdom for the best gifts, and prayed that their enemies would speak of them only to depart elsewhere, while Indra’s favor remained with them. They wished for the blessed ones to speak well of them and to remain always under Indra’s protection. For Indra, the swift and joyful companion, they brought the glory and delight of the sacrifice, remembering how, after drinking the Soma, he became the slayer of foes and the leader in contests. They urged him again as the champion, seeking wealth and victory, for he is the great protector of riches and the generous friend of the worshipper. The community gathered, sitting together to sing and praise Indra, the most generous among the generous, lord of treasures. They pressed the Soma, seeking his presence and his help for wealth and abundance, hoping he would approach them with prizes. In his assembly, no enemy dared face his steeds in battle, and so they sang to Indra, offering pure pressed juices for his refreshment. They remembered how Indra was born strong, destined for the drinking of the Soma and for supremacy, and prayed that the sacred juices would enter him, bringing happiness and wisdom. Their hymns and praises were meant to increase and exalt him, to make him grow in might. They begged Indra to grant them an inexhaustible prize, full of all virtues, and to protect them from harm and destruction. As the ritual continued, the priests harnessed the spotted and ruddy lights that moved among the unmoving, and the heavens shone brightly. They yoked Indra’s beloved bay steeds to his winged chariot—red, bold, and bearing men. They made banners for the un-bannered and forms for the unformed, remembering that Indra was born together with the shining ones. By their nature, the gods desired to be reborn, holding ever the name of the one worthy of sacrifice. Indra, with his fires, had split even what had fallen and, with his powers, found the cows hidden away. Just as those devoted to the gods, singing their songs, had discovered wealth, so too did the worshippers seek Indra’s favor. They saw themselves advancing with Indra, fearless and brilliant, their sacrifice shining forth with flawless praise and the desired bands of Indra. From near or from the shining realm of heaven, they called to their guardian, drawing songs to this place. Whether from earth or the great expanse above, they sought the path to Indra, longing for his presence and blessings in their sacred rite.