The sacred ritual unfolded with reverence and care. The Soma, that divine nectar, was poured out—the remnants emptied from the cup, its essence flowing through the filter and placed upon the cow’s hide, as tradition demanded. The priests, true Soma-drinkers though they were, felt their own power insufficient. With humility, they called upon mighty Indra: “Grant us your favor, O generous one, among our cows, our horses, our splendid treasures, and thousands of blessings.” They invoked him again, praising his might and mastery, his prowess in winning prizes. “O Indra, wielder of the whip, lord of gifts, be bountiful among our cattle, our steeds, our riches. Put to sleep those who are hostile, let them remain unaware, and awaken the generous among us. Defeat our foes, O hero, and come to us with your favor, bringing abundance in cattle, horses, and splendid wealth.” Their prayers grew more urgent: “Strike down the braying ass, the bringer of harm. Let the wind, O Indra, drive away the dust of adversity, far from our forest of life. Silence every outcry, subdue the biting horse. Come to us, O bountiful one, with your thousandfold riches.” With the ritual in full motion, the priests, striving for victory, poured out Soma for Indra, the mighty, the hundred-powered, the most exalted. “He who possesses a hundred pure ones, or a thousand well-fed, does not sink like a stream,” they declared. “When Indra unites with this exhilarating drink, his strength fills his belly like the vast ocean.” They remembered the ancient wisdom, hidden yet ever-present, never neglected by Indra. They sang his praises: “O lord of gifts, hero, let your glory and fame be renowned. Stand upright for us in this contest, O hundred-powered one, and let us speak as allies. In every alliance, in every contest, we call upon you, Indra, strongest of all, as friends. May you come, if you hear, with thousands of aids and prizes to our invocation.” They invoked the ancient home and the wise one, whom even Indra’s father had called upon. “Desiring all blessings, we call upon you, generous friend of the singers, among us, O drinker of Soma, among friends. Let it be so—do as you wish for our benefit. May our gatherings with you be rich and full of great prizes, so we may rejoice.” They prayed, “Come to the praisers, O bold one, as the axle comes to the wheel. Whenever you fulfill the desire of the singers, you never fail in your protection. Indra has ever triumphed over the swelling ones, the boasting, and those hostile to wealth. May he, with golden chariot and sharp weapons, be our giver and provider.” Their invocation extended to the Ashvins, the wondrous twin gods: “Come, O Ashvins, with your strength to this horse-bearing one, bringing cows and gold. Your chariot, immortal ones, is yoked together, moving upon the ocean. You have set your chariot’s wheel on the head of Night, while another circles the sky.” Turning to the Dawn, beloved of all, they wondered, “Which mortal has enjoyed you, O immortal one? Whom do you mark, O shining daughter of the sky?” They called to her from near and far, like calling to a splendid, red horse. “Come to us with your prizes, bestow wealth upon us.” Then they turned their praises to Agni, the divine fire: “You, Agni, were the first Angiras, the sage, god among gods, gracious friend. By your ordinance the wise, shining Maruts were born. You are the foremost Angiras, the most skilled, encompassing the gods’ ordinance, vast and wise, present in many places for the seeker.” They recalled Agni’s ancient deeds: “You first appeared for Mātariśvan, manifest for Vivasvat with good purpose. The two worlds trembled at your priestly office, O mighty one, you bore the burden, unaging, a great treasure. You brought the sky for Manu and Pururavas, the doer of good, showing ever more skill. Released from the jaws of your fathers, you were led forth again and again.” They honored Agni’s power: “You are the bull, increaser of strength, with uplifted flame, worthy of praise. You know the offering and the vaṣaṭ-call, summoning the people at the beginning of each life. You protect the righteous in assembly, O wise one; even with scanty wealth, you help the lesser overcome the greater, winning the hero’s prize.” Agni, ever-watchful, was invoked to place mortals in the highest immortality, granting fame day by day. “For those who thirst for both kinds of birth, you bring joy and lead them to the sun. Make us praisers, winners of wealth and glory. May we prosper in new deeds, protected by Heaven and Earth with the gods.” They remembered their ancestors: “You, Agni, ever-wakeful god, are at the lap of our forefathers among the gods, blameless. Be mindful of our bodies and of the wise singer; bestow all wealth upon us.” Finally, they acknowledged Agni as their wisdom, their father, and their youth. “We are your kin. May riches, abundant and a thousandfold, come to you, O guardian of the ordinance, with heroic men.” Thus, with devotion and longing, the people poured out Soma, invoked Indra and the Ashvins, praised the Dawn, and honored Agni—seeking blessings, strength, victory, and the favor of the gods.