When the mighty one unites with the exhilarating drink, his strength gathers in his belly, vast and deep as the ocean itself. Just as a secret is hidden, like a pigeon nestled within the womb, so too is your word, never neglected, always cherished. O lord of gifts, singer of praises, and heroic one—may your glory be celebrated everywhere, and your fame shine true. Rise up for our aid, O you of a hundred powers, and stand upright with us in this contest. Let us speak together as allies, for in every alliance and every contest, we call upon Indra, the strongest of all, as our friend and helper. May he come to us if he hears our call, bringing a thousand aids and prizes in answer to our invocation. We call upon that ancient refuge, the greatly wise one, whom your father invoked before you. Desiring every blessing, we call upon you, O much-invoked Indra, as a friend, generous to the singers. Be among us, O drinker of Soma, among those who partake of Soma, O thunderbolt-wielding friend, among friends. So let it be, O Soma-drinker, O friend with the thunderbolt—act as you wish for our benefit. Let our gatherings with Indra be rich and abundant, full of great prizes, so that we may rejoice. With your own strength, come to those who praise you, O bold one, as the axle comes to the wheel. Whenever, O Indra of a hundred powers, you fulfill the desires of the singers, you never fail in your protection, your might always prevails. Indra has always triumphed over the swelling forces, over the boastful, and over those who are ever hostile to wealth. May he, who rides a golden chariot and wields sharp weapons, be our giver and provider, and grant us his blessings. O Ashvins, wondrous ones, come to this horse-bearing ritual with your strength, bringing cows and gold. Your chariot, O Ashvins, immortal marvels, is yoked the same way each time, and it travels upon the ocean. You have set the wheel of your chariot upon the head of Night, while another wheel circles the sky. O Dawn, beloved by all, which mortal has truly enjoyed your immortal radiance? Whom do you choose and mark, O shining one? We have called to you from near and far, like calling to a splendid, red horse. Come to us with these prizes, O daughter of the sky, and bestow wealth upon us. You, Agni, were the first Angiras, the wise sage, god among gods, and gracious friend. By your ordinance, the wise Maruts with their shining forms were born. You are the foremost Angiras, the most skillful, encompassing the order of the gods. Vast and wise, you extend to all the worlds, born of two mothers, resting in many places for the seeker. You first appeared, Agni, for Mātariśvan, manifest for Vivasvat with good intent. The two worlds trembled at your priestly office, O mighty one, as you bore the burden, unaging and a great treasure. You brought the sky for Manu, for Pururavas the doer of good, and showed even greater skill. When you were released from the jaws of your fathers, they led you forth first, and yet again another time. O Agni, you are the bull, increaser of strength; with your uplifted flame you are worthy of praise. You know the offering and the vaṣaṭ-call; you summon people at the beginning for a single lifetime. You protect the one who walks the path of righteousness in the assembly, O wise one. Even with scanty wealth, you enable the lesser to overcome the greater, granting the hero’s prize. You place the mortal in the highest immortality for fame, day by day. For the one who thirsts for both kinds of birth, you bring joy and lead forth to the sun. You make us praisers, winners of wealth and glory; may we prosper in new deeds, and may Heaven and Earth, with the gods, protect us. Ever-wakeful Agni, you rest in the lap of our forefathers among the gods, blameless. Be mindful of our bodies and of the wise singer; O good one, bestow all wealth upon us. You are our wisdom, our father, our youth, and we are your kin. May riches, abundant and a thousandfold, come to you, O guardian of order, with heroic men. The gods made you, Agni, first for the home, as lord of Manu’s people, chief of the clan of Nahusha. They made you the provider of sustenance for humanity, the enforcer of order, just as a son is born from his father. Guard us, Agni, with your divine protections; shield our bodies, you who are worthy of praise. Be the protector of our offspring, our descendants, our cattle; keep watch without blinking, upholding your law. You are the inner guardian for the sacrificer, free from harm, four-eyed and blazing. You carry the offerings for the generous, for the blameless; even the singer’s song you accept with your mind. For the wide-praising one, you bring splendid wealth; whatever highest good you win by your power. Even for the oppressed, you are called the father of help; you lead to maturity and show the paths of wisdom. On all sides, Agni, you protect the diligent man, as a coat of armor woven around him. He who makes your dwelling pleasant with sweet butter and sacrifices with living faith attains the highest heaven. Consider this refuge for us, Agni; consider this path we have come from afar. You are the helper, the father, the wisdom of the good, the support and inspirer of mortals. Like Manu, like the Angirases, O Agni, pure as in the house of Yayāti of old, come here, bring the divine assembly, seat them on the sacred grass, and enjoy the dear offering. With this prayer, Agni, grow strong; may our deeds for you be known. Lead us forward to wealth, bring us together with your favor, rich in strength. Now, let me proclaim the heroic deeds of Indra, the very first that the wielder of the bolt accomplished. He struck down the serpent and released the waters, splitting open the mountain’s sides and shattering the peaks. He struck the serpent lying upon the mountain; Tvaṣṭṛ fashioned for him the thunderbolt, his fitting weapon. Then, like swift-flowing cows, the liberated waters rushed straight to the sea.