Indra, the mighty conqueror, stands surrounded by abundant and excellent companions. Today, we call upon him to grant us the very best—his strength, his favor. Let those who hate us be defeated, and those we ourselves reject, let them be abandoned by our breath. Even the axe burns, even the knife cuts sharply, and even the oven, when kindled, foams up its contents—such is the power that Indra wields. Yet, people often fail to notice the arrow that strikes. Thinking themselves clever, they lead cattle astray, but they do not harness the swift horse with the swift, nor do they place the donkey ahead of the horses. These sons of Bharata, Indra, do not recognize their father or grandfather. They harness the horse for death, not for lasting purpose, and lead the bow-fitted horse around in battle. A hymn has been composed for the great—for knowledge and praise—and it has been taken up. May noble hosts hear us; may Agni, eternal in the heavens, listen. Let us sing greatly for the great, for heaven and earth, for desire stirs within us, knowing. In whose praise, at the rites, the gods delight together with their companions. May the truth of heaven and earth be firm and bring us prosperity. This is my homage to heaven and to earth, O Agni—I worship and seek the treasure. The ancient, truth-upholding heavens have expanded, and those who speak what is true have been honored in assemblies and contests for glory, O earth, with manifold knowledge. Who truly knows, who can declare, to which of the gods the right path leads? Among them, the lowest seats are seen, and those who are far, in secret rites and hidden vows. The sage, with human sight, has beheld her—rejoicing in the womb of truth, spread out. They have made diverse abodes, like a weaver, united in intention and mutual understanding. Together and apart, far and near, they stand awake in steadfast places. The sisters, becoming young women, speak forth the names of the pairs. All these births are distinctly separated, bearing the greatness of the gods—they do not tremble. The moving and the fixed, the one lord rules all—the flying, the wandering, the diverse, the born. Ever ancient, I approach the middle regions, from the great father's origin I am born for us—where the gods, as guides, have stood together, on the broad path, apart, within. This hymn I proclaim to heaven and earth; may they of broad wombs listen, with Agni as their tongue; Mitra, the sovereign, Varuna, the youths, the Adityas, the sages, the renowned. Savitṛ, with golden hands and beautiful tongue, three times from heaven, ruling in the assembly—among the gods, Savitṛ has proclaimed the hymn; may he grant us all-surpassing good. The skillful, good-handed, self-praising, truth-abiding god Tvaṣṭṛ—may he bestow those things for our aid. You with Pūṣan, O Ṛbhus, rejoice—you who raise the stones upright at the sacrifice. With chariots flashing like lightning, the Maruts, armed with spears, sons of heaven, born of truth, tireless—Sarasvatī, worthy of sacrifice, may she hear; Dhātṛ, grant us wealth with strong, swift heroes. To Viṣṇu, hymns, mighty in many ways, and praises, as workers go to Bhaga for a share—the wide-striding, whose call is ancient, whom many young mothers, the creators, cannot overpower. Indra, ruling with all powers, has filled both heavens with his greatness—the destroyer of cities, slayer of Vṛtra, strong with his army—may he bring together for us abundant wealth. Nāsatyas, my fathers, kin-inquirers, the beautiful name of the Aśvins—you are givers of riches and all treasures, guarding the gift, unerring and undeceived. Great is your beautiful name, O wise ones, when you, O gods, become all for Indra. With the Ṛbhus, O much-invoked friend, with your dear ones, fashion this thought of ours for success. Aryaman, Aditi, worthy of sacrifice, the unbroken vows of Varuṇa—may you unite us with offspring, O travelers; may our path be fruitful and may we have cattle for the journey. The messenger of the gods, born in many ways, may he speak to us, all-knowing and sinless. May earth, heaven, and the waters hear us—may the sun with the stars, and the broad midspace. May the mighty mountains hear us, steadfast in their place, rejoicing with nourishment. May Aditi with the Ādityas hear us, and may the Maruts grant us auspicious protection. May the path to our fathers always be easy; may the gods with honey moisten the plants. O Bhaga, do not fail me in friendship—may I reach the dwelling of the generous one unharmed. Enjoy the offerings, O swift one, shine forth with our oblations—grant us renown directly. O Agni, in every contest you conquer our foes; shine upon us with all good favor. When the dawns, earlier than all, shine forth, the great, imperishable mark of the cow is born. Following the ordinances of the gods, the mighty one approaches—the great, single lordship of the gods. Let not the gods withdraw from us, nor the ancient fathers, O Agni, who know the path. The sign is within the two ancient abodes—the great, single lordship of the gods. My desires wander in many places; I seek to attain the ancient things with peace. With Agni kindled, let us speak rightly—the great, single lordship of the gods. The same king, apportioned, lies in many places, joined to the sleepers, following the forests. One mother bears the calf, another holds it—the great, single lordship of the gods. Some, from the former, do not abandon the later; suddenly, among the young ones, they are born within. The pregnant ones bear, the silent one does not speak—the great, single lordship of the gods. They lie beyond, and here the two-mothered one moves bound; the single calf wanders. These are the ordinances of Mitra and Varuṇa—the great, single lordship of the gods. The two-mothered Hotar, sovereign in the assemblies, moves forward, the base remains. The lovely ones bear lovely speech—the great, single lordship of the gods. Like a hero fighting at the end, he sees all that is set before him. Within the mind, he moves, hidden in the cow—the great, single lordship of the gods. The gray messenger moves within, trembling; within the great one, he moves with radiance. Bearing forms, he looks upon us from all sides—the great, single lordship of the gods. Viṣṇu the guardian protects the highest path, upholding the beloved, immortal abodes. Agni knows all the worlds—the great, single lordship of the gods. They have fashioned diverse, twin forms; of these, one shines bright, the other is dark. Tawny and ruddy, the two sisters—the great, single lordship of the gods. Where the mother and the daughter, both cows, together yield their milk, both giving abundantly. In the seat of truth, they sit within—the great, single lordship of the gods. The cow, having mounted, has placed her calf in another; by what being has she set it down? She, swelling with the milk of truth, flows forth—the great, single lordship of the gods. With her foot she wears many forms; she stands upright, moving with three supports. In the abode of truth I move, knowing—the great, single lordship of the gods. Thus, through praise and invocation, through wonder at the mysteries of birth, truth, and the cycles of the cosmos, all the gods are honored. Their unity and diversity, their steadfastness and movement, their ancient wisdom and ever-renewing presence—these are the marks of the great, single lordship that governs all.