In the ancient hymns, the sages turn their minds to Indra, the most powerful among the gods, pondering the mysterious force by which he accomplishes mighty deeds time and again. They marvel at his generosity, for he is ever discerning, bestowing many gifts and granting wealth to those who sing his praises. With reverence, the worshippers call out to Indra, asking that he bring them gifts and not harm them. They entreat him to grant much from his abundance, offering a new, excellent hymn to declare his glory. Indra, praised and sung to, is asked to nourish the worshipper as rivers nourish the land, and for him, a fresh hymn is composed—so that, through insight, the devotees may be victorious in their contests. The assembly invites Indra to come for help, to sit with them at their banquet, ever growing in might. His powers are vast, like the sky, and his dominion flourishes unconquered. They praise his mighty deeds, his strength and fame, and his abundant gifts to humankind. His resolve is sovereign in the gathering, stirring and calling forth the peoples. They beseech Indra to descend from the sky, the earth, the sea, or the waters, bringing light and aid, whether as companion of the Maruts or from the distant seat of truth. His great wealth, of which he is lord, is celebrated in the assemblies. Indra, who triumphs by his might among the wealthy, leads the bold to riches. He is the one who, with reverence, restrains the arrogant, who generates speech for the sacrifice, who is generous and much-invoked in hymns. Let Indra be made the Hotar in the gatherings. If, guided by wisdom, he dwells among the swift ones, abiding in the cave of the mountain of the Maujiga, he kindles the fire for the assemblies and guards the dwelling. Whenever the mighty Bhārvara exerts his strength for praise and offering, hidden in the cave of Maujiga, devotion and striving bring forth delight. When he chooses the best treasures of the mountain, he invigorates the swift waters with nourishment, and finds the cow in the cave of the wild one, as the well-fed ones bear it forth for the prize. Indra’s hands are auspicious and skillful, granting gifts to the one who praises. The worshippers wonder at his refusal, asking if he will remember them, questioning what prevents him from giving. Indra, true and sovereign, grants passage to Pūru by slaying the serpent, and the worshippers ask for wealth through his power and divine favor. Again, Indra is praised and sung to, asked to grant nourishment for the doer, like rivers that fill. For him, a new hymn is composed, and the devotees wish, through wisdom, to always be charioteers. Indra accomplishes whatever he desires, whatever he chooses, bearing the stone with strength and accepting the hymn, praise, and soma offering. The mighty one, vigorous and best among men, eats the four-sided food, tearing the wool from Paruṣṇī for glory and forging joints for friendship. Born divine among gods, Indra, with great steeds and mighty powers, holding the thunderbolt in his broad arms, makes the sky resound and shines forth upon the earth. All barriers and ancient paths, the lofty sky, the earth, and their origins resound with his force. The mother brings the force of the cow, and the winds, like men, follow the circuit. Indra’s deeds are proclaimed in all assemblies: bold and daring, he struck the serpent with the thunderbolt, displaying his might. All the cows flow forth from the udder of the bull, and the rivers, fearing his strength, move swiftly. His divine sisters praise him, loosening their bonds and flowing forth in a long stream. The invigorating soma delights Indra like a river, and the ray of the shining cow, swift and strong, comes near for the worshippers. They ask Indra to make them abundant and victorious, to destroy slayers, break obstacles, and strike down the enemy of mortals. They call upon Indra to hear their striving, to grant splendid prizes, and to let all nourishing gifts and treasures come. Maghavan is asked to be mindful of their cows. Once more, Indra is praised and sung to, asked to grant nourishment for the doer, like rivers that fill, and for him, a new hymn is composed so the devotees may always be charioteers. The sages wonder how the great one grew, whose priest approached the soma, accepting the sacrifice. Drinking and desiring, Indra advanced, pure, for wealth. They ask who has attained his fellowship, who has shared his portion, who has discerned his wondrous act and become great. They ponder how Indra hears the invoked, how he knows the new song, what are his many forms of protection, and how his generosity is spoken to the worshipper. They ask how one, striving, does not lose wealth, shining forth in pursuit of riches, and wish the god to delight in the offering. They wonder how, at dawn, Indra delighted in the friendship of a mortal, showing friendship to companions who sought well-yoked desire in him. They ask about the intimate friendship with companions, when they may declare his brotherhood, noting his form is brilliant and his creations shine like the light of the cow. Desiring to slay the deceiver, Indra sharpens his fierce weapons, repelling the unknown ones at dawn. For truth, many are attentive; the thought of truth destroys wrongs. The proclamation of truth awakens the pure ones, piercing the deaf. The firm foundations of truth are many, shining and wondrous. By truth, nourishing streams flow; by truth, cows enter into truth. He who goes by truth alone wins truth; the strength of truth is victorious in the contest for cows. For truth, the earth is broad and deep; for truth, cows are milked in the highest abode. Indra is praised and lauded, asked to grant nourishment to the worshipper like rivers, and for him, a new hymn is composed so the devotees may always be charioteers. The praise turns toward Indra, the mighty son, bringing him near with bounty, for he gives riches to the singer and has not driven the people away. He is invoked in the slaying of Vṛtra, praised for his generosity, coming to the mortal’s aid and making a wide path for the worshipper’s song. Men call upon him in the assembly, desiring to obtain and striving for strength, coming together for offspring and progeny. The peoples strive with energy, eager in contest for abundance, and when the clans unite, they call upon Indra in the gathering, seeking his favor and strength. Thus, the story of Indra unfolds in the hymns: the mighty god, generous and victorious, who hears the prayers of the worshippers, bestows wealth and strength, and upholds truth, leading his devotees to abundance and victory.