O Indra, the much-invoked, was called upon to crush the mighty and the oppressor with his unparalleled power, to confound the enemies that threatened the well-being of the world. Against the swelling and formidable Vṛtra, Indra, with his might, struck down the footless one, ending the threat that loomed over all. Through the power of sacred songs, Indra established the earth, vast and boundless, as a dwelling place for all creatures. Like a great bull, he upheld the sky and the midspace, and at his command, the waters began to flow forth, nourishing the land. When Valā, the pen that held the cows, seemed impenetrable, he, fearing the slayer, withdrew before Indra. Indra smoothed the paths, released the cows from their enclosure, and the grateful singers raised their voices in praise. Alone, Indra filled both the rich earth and the sky, spreading them wide for all beings. From the midspace, he brought wealth, yoked chariots, and prizes for his devotees. The sun, in obedience to the ordained directions, never strayed; day by day, the bay steeds were harnessed, and as they joined on the path, with the horses, Indra brought forth what was his. Longing for the dawns, all beheld the radiant face of the coming day even as night approached. By his greatness, all recognized Indra’s many wondrous deeds. Deep within the hearts of beings, he placed a great light, and the cow bearing the ripe moved forth, gathering all sweet nourishment. Indra, in his generosity, placed the sap for food, ensuring sustenance for all. He was called upon to make strongholds firm, to provide for the sacrifice, and to protect the one who praises and the friends. Against the ill-minded and evil mortals, against the armed enemies, Indra was invoked to slay and scatter the foes. The sound of battle resounded, and Indra was urged to strike down the devouring, burning enemy, to split the foe below, break it apart with force, and destroy the demon, confounding it utterly. Indra was asked to uproot the demon by its very roots, to cut through its fresh center, and to listen closely to the prayers. He made the lurking, crawling one flee, burning the enemy of the brahman with the heat of his weapon. For well-being and swift progress, Indra was entreated to lead his people forth, as he had bestowed many ancient blessings, granting wealth, fortune, and offspring. Radiant fortune was sought from Indra, and his generous favor was desired. Like a broad field, the devotees prayed for their desires to expand, for Indra, the Lord of Wealth, to fulfill them with riches among the wealthy. Requests were made for cows and horses, for shining gifts, and for abundance to be spread wide. The wise Kuśikas, with their thoughts, made offerings to Indra, the bearer of the sacred. He was asked to break open the enclosures, to let the cows and prizes reach his people. As the bull, true in strength and dwelling in heaven, Indra was implored to grant knowledge of the cows. In contests and competitions, Maghavan Indra was called upon—the foremost among men, winner of prizes, fierce in battle, slayer of foes, and conqueror of wealth. In the sacred fire, the offspring of the daughter was commanded, honoring the light of truth. Where the father cleansed the daughter’s stream, he established it with a strong mind. He did not divide the inheritance for the wife, but created the embryo, the giver’s treasure. When the mothers gave birth to the fire, one was the maker of good, another the kindler. Agni was born, shining with the ladle, son of greatness, visible to the red one. This great embryo, born of the mighty, grew vast through the swift horse’s sacrifices. Victorious ones approached the contest, bringing forth great light and dispelling darkness. The dawns, recognizing him, advanced to meet him, and Indra became the sole lord of the cows. The wise pressed onward, guided by the seven sages with their minds. They found all the paths of truth and entered with reverence. Saramā discovered the broken path of the mountain, the ancient way, leading her kin, singing forth the sound as she guided the well-footed ones. The most inspired went as a friend, and the mountain released the embryo for the doer of good. The youthful hero arranged the offering, and the Angiras shone forth immediately. He, ever-existent, was the model for those who came before, knowing all origins and slaying Śuṣṇa. He praised the heavenly paths, seeking cows and releasing the friend from blame. Longing for cows, they pressed forward with their minds, composing hymns for immortality. In this abode of abundance, they served the months with truth. Seeing their own, they rejoiced; the ancient milkers of the seed gave forth milk, and the two worlds echoed with their sound. At the birth of the cows, the heroes were established in their stalls. Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, sat among the newborn with offerings, releasing the cows with hymns. The desirable cow, broad and bearing ghee, gave sweet, honeyed milk for him. Even for the Father, a vast and radiant dwelling was made by the skilled ones, while the mothers supported and measured upwards with force. When great intelligence established the virile, ever-growing, all-pervading one between heaven and earth, all harmonious and powerful songs were gathered for Indra, unassailable. Friendship with this mighty one was sought, and praise was offered to the slayer of Vṛtra, whose many bands advanced. Devotees came to the great praise of the sun, seeking his protection and remembrance. Knowing the vast, many-splendored field, Indra distributed it, sharing the chariot equally among companions. Shining among men, he generated the sun, the dawn, and fire for the path. Even those who lagged behind were set forth together, all shining, purifying the honey with poets through the filters, fashioning gifts with their acts. After the dark one, the earth’s riches were revealed; both earth and sky, by the greatness of the sun, were to be worshipped. Around Indra’s greatness, the desired and praiseworthy, friends strove to encompass him. He was invoked as the lord of true words and all speech, the bull, bestower of strength, and was asked to come with auspicious friendships and generous aids. In reverence, the Angiras was honored with a new hymn, driving away godless deceits and establishing his own for the devotee’s gain. The shining rains spread forth, and well-being was sought, with prayers for protection from peril. Indra, as charioteer, was asked to guard from harm and quickly grant victory in cattle. The slayer of Vṛtra, protector of cattle, approached; within the dark ones, he went with the red lights, sending forth true words and opening all difficult places by truth. In contests, generous Indra was called upon—the best of men in prize-winning, mighty and attentive, helper in battles, slayer of Vṛtras, and conqueror of riches. Indra was then invited to drink the Soma, O lord of Soma, at the midday pressing, which delighted him. The generous and mighty one, with loosened hair, was asked to rejoice, releasing his steeds. He was urged to drink the bright, churned Soma with the cow’s head, prepared for his exhilaration, together with those who perform the sacred utterance, the Maruts, and the Rudras, to be strong in threefold measure. Those who increased Indra’s power and might, the Maruts who magnified his strength, were called to join him. At the midday pressing, the thunderer was asked to drink with the Rudras and his troop, the beautiful-haired one, to rejoice in the offering and share his strength with his devotees.