The Gritsamadas, devoted and reverent, fashioned their hymn to Indra, much like skilled craftsmen shaping their works. With sacred utterance and unwavering devotion, they sought Indra’s favor, strength, prosperity, and graciousness for themselves and their descendants. They prayed that Indra’s generous bounty be granted as a special gift to the worshippers, so that fortune would not fail them, and so that they might speak with power and heroism in the assembly. They declared themselves as Indra’s companions, warriors who brought him the chariot, seeking his protection and favor with wise and shining thoughts. Indra, the guardian and leader, was called upon to defend his people and worshippers from any who would attack them. As a friend and gracious protector, Indra drew near to those who praised him, those who were patient, those who cooked, and those who sang hymns. They praised and glorified Indra, the one in whom the strong had always rejoiced. When invoked, he fulfilled the desire for wealth for those who offered new prayers. Indra, favoring the songs of the Angirases, eager for praise, and seeking the path, stole the dawns with the sun, shattering even ancient things with his mighty singing. Indra stood exalted among the gods, renowned and formidable, self-sustaining and beloved. He brought down the head of the proud Dasa, challenging them with his strength. As the slayer of Vritra, Indra destroyed the dark wombs and scattered the Dasa peoples, creating wide lands for Manu and bringing blessings to the worshipper. Strength was given to mighty Indra in the contest for riches alongside the gods. When he set his thunderbolt upon his arms, he slew his foes and broke the iron fortresses. The singers prayed that Indra’s generous reward be granted to them, asking him to teach and not withhold, so that they might speak great words in the assembly, strong among men. Indra was offered the Soma, most worthy of worship, as conqueror of all—winner of wealth, light, truth, fields, horses, cows, and waters. Homage was spoken to Indra, the overcomer, breaker, powerful, enduring, wise, mighty, blazing, difficult to assail, and universal victor. His heroic deeds were declared: universal victor, consumer of hosts, subduer of men, impetuous and eager for battle, destroyer of foes and tribes. Unopposed, Indra, the bull, the striker, deep and lofty, wise and unassailable, inspirer of the weak, broad-spread, created the dawns and the light. By sacrifice, the eager and wise sought the path, and the Usij priests, urging their thoughts, sat down with songs for help, seeking riches in Indra. Indra was asked 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 mighty bull, Indra, drank the barley-mixed Soma with Vishnu, rejoicing to perform a great deed. The god joined the god—true Indra, true Soma. With power and might, Indra became a champion in battle, filling both worlds with strength and growing great; he placed the other in his belly and shone forth, the god joining the god. Born together with will and strength, Indra and Soma grew mighty with heroic deeds, overcoming enemies, wise among men, and giving desired wealth to the praiser. Their ancient heroic deed, foremost in heaven, was proclaimed: Indra struck down the breath and the waters with god’s might, became all-pervading with his power, found strength and food. Now, the hymn turned to Bṛhaspati, leader of the hosts, sage of sages, most renowned, greatest king of prayers. He was invoked to hear the prayers and sit down with his protections. The gods, possessing divine insight, had apportioned to Bṛhaspati the most worthy share of the sacrifice; he shone like the dawn with the sun, creator of all hymns through his power. Bṛhaspati drove away darkness and encircling gloom, standing upon the radiant chariot of truth, formidable, destroyer of foes and demons, breaker of barriers, knower of the light. With righteous guidance, he led and protected the people, ensuring that those who served him would not encounter harm. He burned with wrath against haters of prayer; his greatness was truly great. Those whom Bṛhaspati protected could not be overcome by harm, evil, enemies, or duplicity. He drove away all dangers from such a one, as a good guardian. Bṛhaspati was their guardian, path-maker, and wise guide; they aged in devotion to his law, trusting that any malice directed against them would be shattered by his swift and powerful force. If any mortal or his kin harmed them without cause, whether enemy or wolf in human form, Bṛhaspati was called upon to turn them away, making the path easy for divine favor. He was invoked as protector of their bodies, helper, advocate who brought strength, casting down the godless and raising up the highest blessing. With Bṛhaspati as their ally, they obtained precious gifts among men, and all dangers or enemies, far or near, were struck down and rendered powerless. With him as their steadfast ally, they attained the highest vigor, crossing over all evil with good thoughts, never letting ill-wishers prevail. Unopposed, like a bull, Bṛhaspati went forth to battle, scorching the enemy in conflict, true to his promise, bringing low even the fierce and arrogant. Those with godless minds who sought to harm, who imagined themselves powerful and wished to kill, were prevented; Bṛhaspati did not let their wrath reach his devotees. He was invoked in battle, approached with reverence, the one who came to aid in contests and brought wealth. Against all hostile assailants, Bṛhaspati scattered their attacks as chariots are broken apart. With blazing heat, he burned up the demons who opposed him, revealing his power and utterly destroying encircling darkness. When Bṛhaspati’s power shone forth among people, born of truth and brilliance, he bestowed splendid and varied wealth. He protected them from thieves and enemies who plotted against their meals; the desires of the gods were fulfilled in the heart, and none but Bṛhaspati knew the secret of the chant. For him, Tvaṣṭṛ fashioned wisdom, surpassing all beings; even the debtor was freed by Bṛhaspati, destroyer of deceit and great supporter of truth. For his glory, the mountain parted, revealing the herd of cows when the Aṅgiras released them; with Indra as ally, Bṛhaspati drove away darkness and opened the ocean’s waters. Brahmaṇaspati was called the guide of the hymn, attentive and inspiring their offspring. They prayed that all good, protected by the gods, would be theirs, and that they might speak mightily in the assembly, victorious. Thus, through their hymns and prayers, the worshippers celebrated the greatness and protection of Indra and Bṛhaspati, invoking their blessings, strength, and guidance for themselves and all who honored the divine.