In the midst of a great contest, the people called upon generous Indra, the champion and best of heroes, seeking his aid for victory and the prize. Fierce and vigilant, Indra listened for cries of help in the heat of battle, ever ready to strike down the Vṛtras, those ancient foes, and to win abundant riches for his devotees. From the depths of the heart arose a thought, longing to praise Indra, the mighty lord, with hymns shaped by devotion. This thought, ever wakeful and honored in the assembly, reached out to Indra, acknowledging that all which is born of him is his alone. Even from the heavens, this ancient, eternal thought is born anew, radiant in auspicious garments, and the people wished for its enduring presence among them. In that sacred moment, even Yama, the son of the god, stood poised at the tip of the tongue as words fell forth. Two forms—born together—united, becoming the roots of power that dispel all darkness. Among mortals, none found fault with the ancestors—those warriors for the cows—whose lineages Indra, mighty in strength, established and renewed by his power. Where the faithful friend, with new companions, followed the cows with knowledge and strength, a wondrous truth unfolded: Indra, with ten tens of cows, discovered the sun itself dwelling in darkness and brought it forth. He found the honey gathered within the cow, its nourishment hidden, secret, and concealed in the waters; with skillful hands, Indra placed this precious food in his right hand, ever generous in giving. Choosing light and knowing the darkness, the people prayed to be kept far from misfortune. They called to Indra, the mighty drinker of Soma, grown strong through the sacred drink, and offered him their many-voiced songs. They wished that light would follow their sacrifice across heaven and earth, keeping them distant from harm, for even against many-hostile mortals, the splendid protections of the Vasus were great. Again they invoked generous Indra, foremost in contests, the mighty helper in battles, the slayer of foes, and the winner of wealth. At the pressing of Soma, they called upon Indra, the bull among gods, inviting him to come and drink the sweet juice. Praised by many, Indra was urged to delight in the pressed Soma, to drink, be exhilarated, and be satisfied. With all the gods, he was asked to lead the inspired sacrifice, surpassing all in praise as the lord of the people. To Indra, the true lord, the bright streams of Soma flowed; he was invited to take them into his belly, for the pressed Soma was his. The people, knowing Indra delighted in songs, offered their pressed Soma, for by his favor came their fame. The undiminished powers sought Indra, the victorious one, for strength, and as he drank Soma, his might grew even greater. Whether near or far, Indra was called to come, the slayer of Vṛtra, to accept their songs. Whenever he was invoked, between the far and the near, they desired him to come swiftly. Eager for the Soma, Indra was summoned for the drinking, urged to approach with his two bay steeds, bearing the thunderbolt. The priest, seated as officiant, had spread the sacred grass in due order, and in the morning, the chariots were yoked. Prayers of praise were performed, and Indra was invited to sit upon the sacred grass and accept the sacrificial cake. Indra was asked to rejoice in the libations, the hymns, and the chants, for he was the slayer of Vṛtra and lover of song. The thoughts of the Soma-drinker eagerly approached Indra, as mothers to their calf. Indra was invited to delight in the Soma for great wealth and strength, and his devotees prayed not to be abandoned to want. With devotion, they offered oblations to Indra, seeking his graciousness. They pleaded that his beloved bays would not carry him away from them, but that he would remain close, self-sustaining, and delight in their midst. The two long-haired ones were called to bring Indra on his pleasant chariot, to sit upon the sacred grass anointed with ghee. Again, Indra was summoned to the pressed Soma, rich in cows, with his two dear bays. He was called to the exhilarating Soma, pressed and placed on the sacred grass, that he might be satisfied. The inspired songs, born of Soma, called Indra to drink, and the hymns invoked him for the drinking of Soma, hoping he would come with praises. Indra was urged to receive the pressed Somas into his belly, he who possessed a hundred powers and many horses. For they knew him as the winner of wealth, bold in contests, and wise, and so they sought his favor. He was invited to drink their Soma, rich in cows and barley, and to come with the bulls to the pressed juice. In his own dwelling, Soma was urged for his drinking, that his heart might be gladdened. The Kuśikas, as in ancient times, invoked Indra for help at the drinking of the pressed Soma. Indra was called to turn toward them, to the seat prepared for him, where the drink of Soma awaited in the highest heaven. He was asked to release himself and approach the sacred grass, for those who carried the oblation called upon him. Traversing many peoples, Indra was invited to come with blessings and his two bays, for the thoughts of the people, shaped by praise, sought his friendship. Finally, Indra was called to the sacrifice, which grew through reverence. He was asked to arrive with his bays, to be present at the shared feast of sweetness, for the people called upon him with their thoughts, offering clarified butter, in the hope that he would accept their devotion and bestow his blessings.