In the beginning, Agni shone forth as the first and foremost among the Angirases, a sage radiant with divine wisdom, a god among gods, and a gracious friend to all. By his command and ordinance, the brilliant Maruts—those youthful, shining deities—came into being, their forms gleaming with power. Agni, the most skillful and encompassing, stretched his wisdom across all the worlds. Born of two mothers, he lay in many places, ever accessible to the seeker, holding within himself the divine order. It was for Mātariśvan that Agni first revealed himself, manifesting with good intent for Vivasvat. At the moment of his priestly emergence, the very heavens and earth trembled, for Agni, mighty and unaging, bore the sacred burden and became a great treasure to all. Agni brought the sky itself for Manu and, for Pururavas the doer of good, revealed even greater skill. When he escaped from the jaws of his fathers, he was led forth first, and then yet again, marking new beginnings. As the bull among gods, Agni increased strength and, with his uplifted flame, was worthy of highest praise. He knew the sacred offerings and the vaṣaṭ-call, summoning people at the dawn of each lifetime. In the assembly, Agni protected those who walked the path of righteousness, using his wisdom to ensure that even with scanty means, the lesser could triumph over the greater and win the hero’s prize. Day by day, he raised mortals to the heights of immortality, granting fame and joy to those who longed for both spiritual and earthly birth, leading them forth to the radiant sun. Agni made his devotees praisers, bestowers of wealth and glory, ensuring their prosperity in new deeds. Heaven and Earth, along with all the gods, joined in their protection. Ever wakeful, Agni sat at the lap of the forefathers among the gods, blameless and mindful, bestowing all wealth upon those who sang with wisdom. He was wisdom itself, a father and a youth to his kin, gathering abundant riches and heroic men to his side. The gods made Agni the first for the home, lord of Manu’s people, chief of the clan of Nahusha, provider of sustenance, and upholder of order, just as a son is born from his father. Agni’s divine protections shielded bodies, offspring, descendants, and cattle, his vigilant gaze never blinking as he upheld his law. For the sacrificer, Agni became the inner guardian—harmless, four-eyed, and blazing—carrying offerings for the generous and blameless, accepting even the songs of the wise with his mind. He brought splendid wealth to those who praised him, winning the highest good by his power. Even the oppressed called him father of help, for he led them to maturity and revealed the paths of wisdom. Like a coat of armor, Agni protected the diligent, especially those who made his dwelling pleasant with sweet butter and sacrificed with living faith, guiding them to the highest heaven. Agni was the refuge and the path for those who came from afar, a helper, father, and wisdom to the good, the support and inspiration of mortals. As in the days of Manu and the Angirases, and as in the house of Yayāti, Agni was called to bring the divine assembly, seat them on the sacred grass, and enjoy the dear offering. With each prayer, Agni grew stronger, and the deeds done for him became known. He led his devotees to wealth, uniting them in strength and favor. Now, turning to the heroic deeds of Indra, the story unfolds. Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, accomplished his first great act: he struck down the mighty serpent, Vṛtra, releasing the imprisoned waters, splitting open the mountains, and shattering obstacles. Upon the mountain, Indra confronted the serpent. Tvaṣṭṛ fashioned the thunderbolt for him, a perfect weapon. As Indra struck, the waters—like swift cows—rushed straight to the sea, freed at last. Yearning for strength, Indra chose the Soma, and in the threefold pressing, he drank the sacred juice. Thus empowered, he seized the thunderbolt and struck down the firstborn of serpents. With this act, the cunning magic of the serpents was shattered. From their defeat, the sun was born and the dawn arose, and the enemy no longer dared to contend. Indra, with a mighty blow, struck Vṛtra, the great restrainer, cutting him apart like branches with an axe. The serpent’s body lay scattered upon the earth. Indra advanced like a fierce and proud warrior, strong in battle, unstoppable in his attack. He crushed his enemy, and Vṛtra, footless and handless, fought in vain. The thunderbolt fell upon his shoulder, and he was defeated, scattered in many places. As Vṛtra lay broken, the waters flowed over him like a breached dam. Once held back by Vṛtra’s might, the serpent now powerless, the waters were free. The lower part became Vṛtra’s offspring, while Indra struck down the upper with the bolt. The son, holding sunlight, remained above, and Dānu lay below like a cow with her calf. Vṛtra’s body was laid among the fixed places, in the midst of the stakes, while his hidden part was surrounded by the waters, lying in deep darkness, the enemy of Indra vanquished. The wives of the Dasa and the guardians of the serpent stood restrained, the waters withheld like cows for the merchant. When the hidden opening was closed, Indra struck Vṛtra and released the waters. The flood, swift as a horse, surged forward when Indra alone confronted it. He conquered the cows and the Soma, and sent forth the seven rivers to flow. Neither lightning nor thunder, nor rain nor storm, could oppose him. In the great battle between Indra and the serpent, the generous one prevailed. Indra saw the path of the serpent he had struck, and as the ninety-nine streams flowed, he crossed the realms like a frightened eagle. As king of both the settled and the wild, Indra, with his thunder-armed might, ruled over all peoples, his enemies vanquished, the wheel of his power encompassing all. With praises, the people approached Indra, who increased their splendid bounty. Without deception, he granted wealth and revealed the sign of the cows. The generous and unfailing giver was worshipped with supreme hymns, as a falcon seeks its cherished dwelling. For those whom Indra favored, the archer drove the cows, and Indra, urged by prayer, bestowed abundant gifts, protecting his devotees from harm. He struck down wealthy enemies with his hammer, scattering their riches and humbling the non-sacrificers, who fell to their doom. Those who sought to surpass Indra were humbled by the sacrificers, and when Indra stood firm in heaven, the lawless ones were made low among earth and sky. The hosts of the blameless, unwilling to fight, were driven away by the nine singers, and, like a bull with weapons, the weak were expelled. Proclaiming Indra’s glory, his followers returned rejoicing. Indra crossed the realms, overcoming the roaring and devouring foes, casting down the Dasa from the sky. For those who pressed and praised, Indra brought glory and victory, ever the champion of the righteous and the generous.