For the sake of victory and the defeat of foes, the sages and people set Indra, the mighty lord, in motion. They turn their minds and eyes towards him, Indra of a hundred powers, seeking his favor through their prayers. With every hymn, they invoke all his names, calling upon his strength to overcome adversaries. Indra, much-praised and supporter of the peoples, is magnified with his hundred powers. Again and again, they call upon him, the much-invoked, to slay Vṛtra and to gain strength in battles. Indra is sought to be victorious in contests, his hundredfold might summoned to destroy Vṛtra. In moments of glory, in the rush of battle, in contests for prizes and fame, Indra is called to be present, to stand by the struggles of his devotees. He is asked to protect the invigorating and glorious Soma for their aid, ever-watchful and hundred-powered. Among the five peoples, the powers that are Indra's are chosen for him, that he may gain great fame and establish unconquerable glory, overcoming foes with his strength. The prayers call on Indra to come from near or far, wherever his dwelling may be, for he is the stone-armed, mighty one. Like a craftsman with shining skill, inspired and strong as a well-yoked steed, Indra advances; the wise, with clear vision, seek out beloved and distant things. The origins of the sages are pondered—those upheld by mind, who skillfully fashioned the sky; their growing praises, driven by thought, move in the path of law. Hidden things are placed here, and for sovereignty earth and heaven are joined; with their measures, the vast ones encompass and sustain. All adorn Indra as he stands forth, clothed in splendor, moving with radiant light. This is the great name of the mighty Asura, manifold in form, standing among the immortals. The earlier bull begot the greater one; many are his wise thoughts from before. The sons of heaven, with wisdom, kings gathered in assembly, establish dominion from the highest heaven. Three kings at the assembly, in many places, adorn all seats; moving with mind, they see the Gandharvas in their vow, their hair blown by the wind. This is the work of the bull and the cow; by their names, they measure the course of the cow. Each one, wearing different divine power, the magicians measure out forms in this one. This is the work of Savitar; yet the golden wisdom he would bestow is not desired. Through excellent praise, he pervades earth and heaven, and the maiden chooses her births. The ancient, great work is accomplished, so that divine welfare may surround all. All see the varied deeds of the magician, the one standing with the tongue of a cow. In this contest, the generous Indra is called upon—the best hero for the prize. Fierce and listening for help in battles, may he strike down the Vṛtras, the conqueror of riches. The thought arising from the heart seeks to praise Indra, the lord, with hymns shaped by devotion. She who is wakeful and praised in the assembly—O Indra, whatever is born of you, know that as yours. Even from heaven, the ancient one is ever being born, watchful and praised in the assembly. Wearing auspicious, bright garments, may this ancestral, eternal thought be with us. Here, even Yama, the son of the god, stood at the tip of the tongue as it fell; the two forms, born together, unite—these roots of power dispel darkness. Among mortals, none reproach those ancestors—warriors for the cows; Indra, mighty in strength, established their lineages, creating them anew with his power. Where the friend, with new companions, followed the cows with knowledge and strength, Indra, with ten tens of cows, found the sun dwelling in darkness. Indra found the honey gathered in the cow, with hoof and dewlap, the food of the cow; hidden and concealed in the waters, he placed it in his right hand, skillful in giving. Choosing light and knowing the darkness, the people pray to be far from misfortune. Indra, drinker of Soma, grown strong with Soma, is asked to accept these songs of the many-voiced poet. May light follow the sacrifice across heaven and earth; may harm be far from them; for even against many-hostile mortals, the splendid protections of the Vasus are great. Again, generous Indra is called in this contest, foremost among men for prize-winning; the mighty one who hears, for help in battles, who slays foes and wins wealth. Indra is called, the bull, at the pressing of Soma, to come and drink the sweetness of the Soma juice. Praised by many, he is asked to delight in the pressed Soma, knower of resolve; to drink, be exhilarated, and satisfied. With all the gods, Indra is asked to lead the inspired sacrifice, to surpass in praise as lord of the people. The pressed Somas go forth to Indra, the true lord; the bright streams of Soma are for his dwelling. He is asked to take into his belly the pressed Soma, most excellent; the bright streams are his. Singer-loving, Indra is delighted by the streams of sweetness, and from him comes fame. Indra’s undiminished powers are sought for strength; having drunk Soma, he has grown. The slayer of Vṛtra is called to come from near or far and accept these songs. Whenever invoked, between far and near, Indra is asked to come. Finally, eager for Soma, summoned for drinking, Indra is called to approach with his two bays, wielding the thunderbolt. Thus, the hymns flow, invoking Indra’s presence, his strength, his favor, and his glory—ever the champion of the people, the slayer of Vṛtra, the lord of Soma, the bestower of light, the protector in contests, and the upholder of divine order.