O priests, gather close and heed the tale of mighty Indra, the great friend of sacrifice, for whom you prepare the sacred Soma. It is Indra who, with peerless strength, has seized a hundred and a thousand treasures from the lap of the earth, who has struck down and covered the warriors of Kutsa, Ayu, and Atithigva. To this unconquered hero, offer the Soma, pure and exhilarating, for he is ever eager for your devotion. When men, filled with longing, set forth the ritual, let it be for Indra—offer the Soma, purified by your hands, to the renowned one. Prepare the ritual with care: raise up the sacred wood from the forest, and pour out the exhilarating Soma for Indra, who delights in the drink, for he is mighty and generous. As you fill Indra with the milk of the cow and the Soma, know that his quiet presence is among us—he who gives freely, ever eager for sacrifice. He is lord of the heavenly wealth, king of the earth and all that is born of the land. Fill him, the mighty Indra, with Soma; let this offering be your accomplishment. Indra, grant us wealth for giving; establish your abundance among us, for your generosity knows no bounds. Whatever splendid fame extends through the days, may we, strong in men, speak greatly in the assembly by your grace. Now let me declare the true and wondrous deeds of this mighty one, Indra, whose acts are ever true. At the Trikadruka presses, he drank the Soma, and in his exhilaration, he slew the serpent. With his might, he propped up the sky, filled the two worlds, expanded the midspace, and spread the earth itself. All these Indra accomplished, inspired by the exhilaration of Soma. Like a master builder, he measured out the eastern spaces, and with his thunderbolt, he cut open the channels of the rivers, releasing them to flow freely over long paths. He overcame obstacles, made all weapons ready in the kindled fire, and sent forth cows and horses with chariots. He shook the vast earth with his might, making it pleasant and leading the unsatisfied to well-being; those who sought wealth stood forth, eager for his generosity. With his strength, Indra stirred the Sindhu river, crushed the dawns with his thunderbolt, and divided the swift ones with his speed. He revealed the hidden waters, stood forth against the enemy, and looked upon the foe with unwavering gaze. With the Angiras, he split open the mountain fastnesses, breaking artificial barriers and opening the way. Even in dreams, he approached and destroyed Cumuri and Dhuni, slew the Dasyu, and overcame fear itself—so that even the trembling one found gold. All these, Indra accomplished, filled with the exhilaration of Soma. Now, Indra, may your generous gift be granted to your worshippers; let your reward flow to us as milk. Teach those who praise you; let fortune come to us, so that we may speak greatly and heroically in the assembly, strong in men. Hear now the highest praise, offered as fuel to the fire. We invoke Indra, unconquered, ever youthful, invigorating, the best of the true, for help. In Indra, nothing is lacking; all powers are gathered in him. Soma fills his belly, strength and greatness fill his form, wisdom crowns his head, and in his hand he wields the thunderbolt. O Indra, your strength surpasses earth and sky; your chariot outpaces oceans and mountains. None can reach your thunderbolt when you speed forth with your swift horses across the wide world. All the mighty ones bring their power to him, the great Bull, who is ever to be praised. As a Bull, offer the oblation and drink, O Indra, the radiant Soma. The bull’s vessel flows, a wave of honey, led by bulls for the Bull to drink; the priests are bulls, the stones are bulls, and the Soma pressed is for the Bull. Your thunderbolt is a bull, your chariot and steeds are bulls, your weapons are bulls—O Indra, you rule over exhilaration, be satisfied with the bull Soma. We approach you with praise at the gatherings, as one brings a boat to the assembly. O Indra, you are established in the sacrifice by our hymns; hear our words and let us draw forth your wealth as one draws water from a well. From ancient distress, deliver us, O hundred-powered one, as a cow her calf, eager for pasture. With your favor, may we, together with our families, reach fullness like strong bulls. May your generous gift always yield a choice reward for the singer; grant to those who praise you, do not withhold your portion, so that we may speak greatly and heroically in the assembly. Sing a new hymn, O Angiras, for Indra’s ancient powers are awakened. In the intoxication of Soma, he set in motion all the herds held fast by force. Let him be present, who at the first pressing measured out his strength and surpassed greatness, the hero who, in battle, protected himself and released the sky from the head. He performed his first great deed, setting his might in motion at the very beginning. With his chariot yoked with tawny steeds, he scattered the old ones, and the living moved together, each apart. Mastering all beings, Indra grew in strength and advanced in youthful vigor. Then the fire stretched out light between heaven and earth, and the shining ones spread the luminous realms. With his strength, he shattered the ancient mountains, made the flowing waters descend, and supported the earth in all its forms. By his power, he upheld the sky with its streams. With arms made strong by his father, he is ready for every deed from birth, laying low the enemy and opening the path with his thunderbolt. Like a loving child with its parents, you, O Bhaga, share in the common seat. Grant us clear understanding, bring us near, and bestow that portion by which we may not suffer harm. We call upon you, O Indra, as benefactor—grant us gifts and strength. Do not abandon us; with your wondrous aid, make us possessors of wealth. May your generous gift always yield a choice reward for the singer; grant to your praisers and do not withhold your portion, so that we may speak greatly and heroically in the assembly. In the morning, a new chariot is yoked for you, Indra, with four yokes, three seats, and seven reins; with ten shining wheels, it is swift with offerings and thoughts. For Indra, the first, the second, and the third are prepared, and he is the priest for men. One begets another’s offspring, another is born, and Indra, the mighty bull, joins with the others. Let the two bays be yoked to Indra’s chariot for the journey, with a new hymn and fresh words. Let none restrain you, O Indra, for many inspired priests and worshippers seek you. Come, Indra, with your two bays, or with four, or with six when you are invoked. Come with eight or ten to drink the Soma, O generous one; may you not be held back from the contest. Come near with twenty, thirty, or forty yoked bays; come, Indra, with fifty splendid steeds, with sixty, with seventy, to drink the Soma. Come near, drawn by eighty, ninety, or a hundred bays. For you, Indra, the Soma has been poured at the rites of the Shunahotras for your exhilaration. Thus, O priests, offer with devotion and song, for Indra, the mighty and generous, is ever eager for your praise and your sacrifice.