Unfettered and unbound, there is One who lies down and rises up, whose movements are a mystery—by what inner power does he go forth? Who has truly seen this? Yet, the pillar of heaven stands firm, upholding the vast expanse above. As dawn approaches, Agni, called Jātavedas, faces the new day and declares his presence. The god shines with immense power, and the call goes out: “O Nāsatyas, come with your far-reaching chariot to this sacrifice. Approach us, be near.” The god Savitar raises his banner high, bringing light to all the worlds; heavens, earth, and the space between them expand, and the sun, ever watchful, spreads its rays, illuminating all. The radiant dawns arrive, spreading their light far and wide. Brilliant and vast, they awaken all beings to good fortune, advancing in their well-yoked chariot. “Let your swiftest horses bring you here, let your chariots come at the first light,” the call continues. “Here are your honey-sweet Somas, O mighty ones—rejoice in this sacrifice.” Yet again, the question echoes: Unrestrained, unbound, how does he lie down, how does he rise? By what inherent power does he go forth? Who has witnessed this wonder? The pillar of heaven, ever steadfast, upholds the firmament. In this sacred rite, Agni, the Hotar, leads us. He is the bringer of strength, the god among gods, worthy of worship. Agni moves around the triple-placed sacrifice like a skilled charioteer, bearing the offerings to the gods. Wise and generous, Agni, lord of riches, traverses the offerings and bestows treasures upon the devoted. Kindled for Srñjaya at the forefront, Agni shines brilliantly, carried by the divine wind, subduing all enemies. Indeed, the mortal who seeks strength is governed by this fierce-jawed, generous Agni. Swift as a racer, red as a child of heaven, he is honored day after day. When the son of Sahadeva awakens with his two bay horses, he calls the people to the offering. Those noble bays, yoked by the son of Sahadeva, set out together. This son, Somaka, is invoked: “O divine Ashvins, grant him long life!” The Ashvins, ever compassionate, are called to bestow longevity upon the son of Sahadeva. Let Maghavan, the truthful and eager, come quickly—let his steeds race to us. For him, O Indra, we offer this drink with delight, skillfully seeking your favor through our praise. Let the heroes descend at the end of the path, today at this sacrifice, to rejoice. The wise one proclaims the hymn, like Ushana of old, for the lordship and knowledge of the Asura. Like a sage, he knows the hidden things and completes the rites; mighty and thirsting, he sings praises. Thus, he created seven singers who, even by night, performed skillful acts in his honor. Radiant as the sun, beautiful to behold in hymns, he shone with great light at his birth. He dispelled darkness, saw clearly, and made men heroic in their striving. Indra, mighty and eager, grew vast, filling heaven and earth with his greatness. From him, majesty spreads; he has become all the worlds. Shakra, knowing all heroic deeds, distributed waters with his companions by his will. Even stones broke at his words, and the Ushijas released cattle rich in milk. Indra drove away Vritra, who held back the waters; wielding the thunderbolt, he awakened the earth. He released streams and oceans—by his might, he became lord. When he shattered the rock, Sarama, the ancient one, appeared for him. “Be our leader,” the people pray, “as you see abundant wealth, breaking the enclosures with the Angiras as we praise.” “Approach the sage, O Maghavan, with your companions, shining and victorious. With your aid, grant us strength, and let not the crafty, unholy Dasyu harm us.” Indra is called as the destroyer of Dasyus, to come with his mind to that place, with Kutsa as his companion in friendship. “Sit in your own abode, in your true form, and let the wise woman discern your nature.” Indra journeys with Kutsa, sharing the chariot, as the lord of the two bay steeds of the wind. Swift as thought, seeking victory, he blazes forth, adorning the wide spaces. For Kutsa, he cast down Śuṣṇa, the parched one, and the ancient foe Kuyava; together, they destroyed the Dasyus, and the sun revealed the great wheel in the distance. He struck down Pipru, the roaring beast, for Ṛjiśvan and Vaidathina, and cast down fifty black fortresses from a thousand, as age shatters cities. At dawn, clothed in the form of the sun, Indra bears the visible form of immortality—like a wild beast, an elephant seizing strength, like a lion, fearsome and armed. Those who desire wealth come to Indra, delighting in his praise, as at the soma-offering. Longing for glory, rejoicing in hymns, they find abundance in him. Indra, easy to invoke, is called upon—he who has accomplished many heroic deeds, who brings swift rewards and wondrous aid to the worshipper. When his sharp thunderbolt falls among people, when his wrath rises against the foe, he is asked to remember and protect his devotees. He is the protector of Vāmadeva’s prayers, the friend and the wolf in the contest for the prize. All thoughts turn to him, the widely praised one, seeking his universal aid. With Indra and his companions, the worshippers seek to prevail in every contest, supported by noble ones, rejoicing through many nights and autumns. To Indra, the mighty bull, hymns are sung, as the Bhṛgus sang to their chariot. “May you not abandon our friendship, O strong one, guardian of our bodies.” Now, as Indra is praised and lauded, he is asked to pour forth sustenance for the worshippers, as rivers flow. A new hymn is composed for him, the wielder of the bays, so that, with insight, his devotees may ever be his charioteers. Indra is great—by his might, earth and sky regard his supreme power. With his strength, he slew Vṛtra, released the rivers, and devoured the coiled ones. At his birth, the sky trembled with his force, the earth quaked in awe. Mountains shook, hills quaked, valleys split, and the waters rushed forth. With his thunderbolt, Indra split the mountain, revealing what was hidden. Rejoicing, he slew Vṛtra, and the waters, their strength destroyed, rushed swiftly on their way.