From the earliest dawn, Indra stood ready for every mighty deed, his arms made strong by his father’s blessing. Even from birth, he was prepared to lay low his enemies upon the earth, opening up the very paths with his thunderbolt, ever victorious and unstoppable. Bhaga, ever loving, sits with his parents and shares in the common seat, granting clear understanding and drawing devotees near. He bestows a portion so that none may suffer harm, like a gentle child united with those who nurture him. The worshippers call upon Indra, benefactor of men, seeking his gifts and strength. They implore him not to abandon them, but to grant his wondrous aid, making them possessors of wealth and fortune. Indra’s generous gifts ever yield rewards for the singers; he grants to the praisers and does not withhold his portion, so that they may speak heroically in the assembly. Each morning, a new chariot is yoked for Indra, splendid and swift, with four yokes, three seats, and seven reins. Its ten wheels shine for men, carrying offerings and thoughts to the god. For him, the first, second, and third are prepared, and he serves as priest for men. One begets another’s offspring, another is born, and Indra, the mighty bull, joins with the others. The two bay steeds are yoked to Indra’s chariot for the journey, accompanied by new hymns and fresh words. None may restrain him, for many inspired priests and worshippers seek his favor. Indra is called to come with two, four, six, eight, or ten steeds, to drink the soma, never held back from the contest. He is summoned with twenty, thirty, forty yoked bays—then fifty, sixty, seventy splendid steeds, all to drink the soma. Even with eighty, ninety, or a hundred bays, Indra is invited to partake of the soma poured for him at the rites of the Shunahotras, for his exhilaration. Indra is called to rejoice in the pressing of soma, placing all his bays in the yoke of his chariot. He is to be invoked in many places, and the worshippers pray that their friendship with Indra may never be broken. May his bounty’s daughter give to them, and may they, seeking to live, reach the shelter of the eldest again and again—the protection and embrace of the god. Indra’s generous bounty is sought as a special gift for the worshipper, that fortune may not fail and that the singers may speak mightily in the assembly, heroes all. For the exhilaration of the inspiring, pressed, flowing soma, Indra established his dwelling in the highest heaven, growing strong, while men devoted themselves to sacred utterance. Rejoicing in the sweet drink, Indra, with thunderbolt in hand, split the serpent that had covered the waters. Like birds flying to their sisters, the streams hastened, and the rivers’ courses were set in motion. Indra, mighty, set the waters in motion after slaying the serpent, sending them toward the ocean. He generated the sun, made the days and nights, and established the workings of time. Unconquered, Indra gave many gifts to Manu and to the worshipper; he slays the foe and becomes instantly helpful to men, surpassing all rivals in the contest for the sun. For those who press soma, Indra gives the sun, removing harm from mortals who praise him. He brings wealth, hidden or manifest, to those who seek, bestowing a share and favoring them. He shattered Shushna, the dry one, and Kuyava for Sārathya and Kutsa. For Divodāsa, Indra destroyed ninety-nine cities of Shambara. Thus, the worshippers strive for fame, praising Indra as he deserves. They seek to attain the seventh stream and bow before the generous giver, the destroyer of foes. The Gritsamadas fashion their hymn for Indra, as craftsmen their works, devoted to sacred utterance, seeking his favor, strength, prosperity, and graciousness. Once more, Indra’s generous bounty is sought as a special gift for the worshipper, that fortune may not fail and the singers may speak mightily in the assembly. The companions of Indra declare themselves, bringing him the chariot as warriors, wise and shining in thought, longing for his protection. Indra, with his aid and power, protects the people, defending the worshipper as a wise leader from any who attack. Invoked, Indra is a gracious protector of men, bringing near the one who praises, who is patient, who cooks, and who sings hymns. Indra is praised and glorified, for of old the strong have rejoiced in him. When invoked, he fulfills the desire for wealth for those who offer new prayers. Favoring the songs of the Angirases, Indra, eager for praise and seeking the path, stole the dawns with the sun, shattering even the ancient things with his might. Renowned Indra stands exalted, most formidable among beings, self-sustaining, bringing down the head of the proud, beloved, challenging Dasa. The slayer of Vritra, destroyer of black wombs, scattered the Dasa peoples, creating wide lands for Manu and bringing blessings to the worshipper. To mighty Indra was strength given, with the gods, in the contest for riches. Setting his thunderbolt upon his arms, he slew foes and broke the iron fortresses. Indra’s generous reward is sought for the singer, that he may teach and not withhold, so that the worshippers may speak great words in the assembly, strong in men. Indra, conqueror of all, winner of wealth, light, truth, fields, horses, cows, and waters, is offered the Soma, most worthy of worship. To the overcomer, the breaker, the powerful, enduring, wise, mighty, blazing, difficult to assail, universal victor, homage is spoken. Indra, universal victor, consumer of hosts, subduer of men, impetuous, eager for battle, destroyer of the foe, mighty, subduer of tribes—his heroic deeds are declared. Unopposed, the bull, the striker, deep, lofty, unassailable, wise, inspirer of the weak, breaker, broad-spread—Indra, well-worshipped, created the dawns and the light. By sacrifice, the eager, wise, inspired sought the path; the Usij priests, urging their thoughts, sat down with songs for help, seeking riches in Indra. Indra is beseeched to bestow the highest treasures, intelligence, skill, good fortune, increase of wealth, safety of bodies, sweetness of speech, and bright days. In the Trikadruka sacrifice, the bull with barley-mixed soma, very mighty, drank the pressed soma with Vishnu as he desired. He rejoiced in it, to perform a great deed, the god joined the god—true Indra, true Soma. With his power and might, Indra became a champion in battle, filling both worlds with his strength and growing great. He placed the other in his belly and shone forth—thus the god joined the god—true Indra, true Soma. Born together with will and strength, Indra and Soma grew together, mighty with heroic deeds, overcoming enemies, wise among men. They are givers of desired wealth to the praiser—the god joined the god—true Indra, true Soma. Thus unfolds the story of Indra’s greatness, his victories, his gifts, and his enduring companionship with those who praise him, ever invoked, ever generous, ever mighty.