With reverence and hope, the sages called upon Agni, the radiant son, whose power and graciousness reach far and wide. They prayed that he might be generous to them, protecting them from harm and evil, both near and far, as the universal guardian. Their voices rose in a new song, asking Agni to proclaim it among the gods as their support. They sought from him prizes in the highest, middle, and lowest realms, and wished to learn the wealth hidden in the innermost. Agni, the luminous divider of the river’s waves, draws near and flows swiftly for those who worship him. Whomever Agni protects in battle or aids in contests among men, that person attains perpetual riches. None can withstand his approach, for the prize is won for fame. They prayed that Agni, renowned among all peoples, would bring the prize swiftly, with horses and with wise men. In every gathering, they urged themselves to awaken and discern, offering hymns to Rudra, worthy of sacrifice. May the mighty, smoke-bannered, radiant one stir their thoughts toward the prize. As lord of wealth, like a river and a divine sign, Agni of vast brilliance, they beseeched him to hear their hymns. Homage was offered to the great and the small, the young and the old. They worshipped the gods as best they could, asking that the gods not take away the praise due to those greater. The scene shifted to the ritual, where the stone with its broad base stood upright for pressing, and the sound of the mortar-born echoed. Indra knew the clattering. Where two stones, shaped as if from the hips, pressed together, the sound rang out, and Indra knew the clattering. Where the woman learned both pressing and gathering, the sound of the mortar-born was heard, and Indra knew the clattering. Where they bound the churn with cords, measured like reins, the sound resounded, and Indra knew the clattering. Whenever the mortar was harnessed in each house, it spoke with the brightest sound, like a victorious drum. Even the wind stirred the tree-born mortar at its tip, and now it pressed the Soma for Indra to drink. Prize-seekers were summoned, vigorous and high, like horses devouring fodder. The trees, with strong and mighty pressers, prepared honeyed Soma for Indra. The remnants were poured from the cup, the Soma flowed through the filter and was placed upon the cow’s hide. Though the sages were true Soma-drinkers, they felt powerless and prayed to Indra for favor among cows, horses, splendid ones, and thousands. Indra, wielder of the whip and lord of prizes, powerful in his deeds, was invoked for favor among cows, horses, splendid ones, and thousands. They asked Indra to put to sleep those who were hostile, letting them remain unaware, and to grant favor among riches. Let those who are hostile be defeated, and the generous awakened; let Indra, the hero, come with favor and thousandfold riches. They called upon Indra to strike down the braying ass, the bringer of harm, and to come with favor and abundance. As the wind drives dust from the forest, so may Indra come with favor and riches. Let every outcry be destroyed, and the biting horse silenced; let Indra come with favor, among cattle, horses, splendid riches. As those striving for victory, they poured out Soma for Indra, the mighty, hundred-powered, most exalted. He who possesses a hundred pure ones or a thousand well-fed does not sink down like a stream. When he unites with Soma for exhilaration, his strength fills his belly like the ocean’s expanse. The word of the sages, hidden like a pigeon in the womb, is never neglected. O lord of gifts, singer of praises, hero, may your glory and fame be true and renowned. Stand upright for their aid, O hundred-powered, in this contest; let them speak together among allies. In every alliance and contest, they called upon Indra, the strongest, for help as friends. May he come, if he hears, with thousands of aids and prizes to their invocation. They called upon the ancient home, the greatly wise one whom their father called upon before them. Desiring all blessings, they invoked Indra, the much-invoked friend, generous to singers. Among them, O drinker of Soma, among the Soma-drinkers, O friend with the thunderbolt, among friends. So let it be; O drinker of Soma, O friend with the thunderbolt, may you act as you wish for their benefit.