In the earliest times, the gods, seeking a guardian and provider for humankind, appointed Agni as the first among them to dwell in the homes of men. He became the lord over the people of Manu and the chief of the Nahusha clan, entrusted to sustain humanity and uphold order, just as a son is born from his father, carrying on the lineage and duty. To Agni, the divine protector, the people prayed: “Guard us with your sacred power, O generous one. Shield our bodies, our children, our cattle, and our descendants. Watch over us without rest, upholding your law and justice.” For those who offered sacrifice, Agni became the inner guardian—harmless, keen-eyed, and blazing bright—accepting their offerings and even their songs with a gracious mind. Agni’s favor was sought by those who praised him widely, for he brought splendid wealth and whatever highest good his power could attain. Even the oppressed called him the father of help; he led them to maturity and revealed the paths of wisdom. For the diligent and faithful, Agni’s protection was like armor woven around them. Those who made his dwelling pleasant with sweet butter and performed sacrifices with living faith reached the highest heaven. The people pleaded, “Agni, consider this refuge we have sought; see the path we have traveled from afar. Be our helper, father, wisdom, support, and inspirer.” They called upon him as Manu and the Angirases had done before, asking Agni to come pure and radiant, as he had appeared in the house of Yayāti in ancient times. Thus, they invited him to bring the divine assembly, seat them on the sacred grass, and partake of the cherished offerings. With prayers, they urged Agni to grow strong, that their devotion would be known to him. They asked him to lead them to wealth, to unite them with his favor, and to grant them strength. Now, the heroic deeds of Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, are proclaimed. In the beginning, Indra struck down the great serpent, Vṛtra, who had imprisoned the waters and blocked their flow. With a mighty blow, he split open the mountains and released the withheld rivers. Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine craftsman, had fashioned for Indra the thunderbolt, his fitting weapon. As soon as Vṛtra was struck, the waters, like eager cows, rushed straight to the sea. Seeking strength, Indra drank the threefold-pressed Soma. Empowered, he seized the thunderbolt and struck down the firstborn of the serpents. With this act, the cunning magic of the serpents was shattered, the sun was born, and the dawn arose, bringing light to the world. The enemy, seeing Indra’s might, dared not contend further. Indra struck Vṛtra, the great obstacle, with a forceful blow, shattering him like branches cut by an axe. The serpent’s body lay scattered upon the earth. Like a fierce warrior, proud and strong, Indra advanced in battle, unstoppable; he broke through all resistance and crushed his foe. Vṛtra, though footless and handless, tried to fight Indra, but the thunderbolt struck him down. The once-mighty serpent, desiring to be equal, was left powerless and scattered. As a dam bursts and water flows over, so the rivers poured forth when Vṛtra’s strength was broken. The lower part of Vṛtra became his offspring; Indra struck the upper part, and the son, holding the sunlight, remained above, while Dānu lay below like a cow with her calf. Vṛtra’s body was laid down among the fixed places, in the midst of the stakes. His hidden parts were surrounded by the waters, and he lay in deep darkness, the enemy of Indra vanquished. The wives of the Dasa and the guardians of the serpent were restrained, and the waters, like cows for the merchant, had been withheld. But when the hidden opening of the waters was closed, Indra struck Vṛtra and released the flow. The flood, swift as a horse, surged forth when Indra alone confronted it. He conquered the cows, released the Soma, and sent the seven rivers to flow. Neither lightning nor thunder, nor rain or harsh storm, could oppose him. In the battle between Indra and the serpent, the generous one triumphed. Indra saw the path of the serpent he had struck, a path that had brought fear to his own heart. When the ninety-nine streams burst forth, Indra, like a frightened eagle, crossed the realms. As king of both the settled and the wild, armed with the thunderbolt, Indra ruled the peoples. The enemies vanished, and his dominion encompassed all. With these praises, the people approached Indra, the bestower of bounty, asking him to grant wealth without deception and to reveal the sign of the cows. The singer, like a falcon to a cherished home, came to the generous Indra, offering hymns and worship, for Indra is ever worthy of praise. For the one Indra favors, the archer drives the cows, and Indra, when invoked, grants abundant gifts. They prayed that no merchant, grown powerful, would harm them. Indra had struck down wealthy enemies with his hammer, scattering their wealth and sending the non-sacrificers to their doom. Those who tried to surpass Indra were humbled, and when he stood firm in heaven, the lawless became the lowest among earth and sky. The blameless hosts, unwilling to fight, were driven away by the nine singers, who, like armed bulls, expelled the weak and returned rejoicing, proclaiming Indra’s glory. Indra crossed over those who roared and devoured, casting down the Dasa from the sky, and for those who praised and pressed Soma, he brought glory. Many adorned themselves with golden jewels, circling the earth, but none could reach Indra; the sun’s rays surrounded him. When Indra encompassed heaven and earth, those who thought themselves mighty were overcome, and the Dasa were made the lowest among them. Those who could not reach the ends of heaven and earth, nor surround the giver of wealth with their tricks, were outdone by Indra, who, with his thunderbolt, brought light and drove the cows out of darkness. The waters flowed according to their nature, swelling in the midst of ships, and with united force, Indra struck and conquered the heavens. Indra pierced the stronghold of Dilipa and broke the horned demon Shushna. As far as his strength reached, he slew the enemy with his thunderbolt. The flame of Indra’s power advanced against his foes, and with the sharp bull, he attacked their forts, releasing the obstruction with his thunderbolt. His inspired thought brought forth gifts. Indra brought Kutsa and the mighty Dashadyu to the people, warriors who fought bravely in battle. The dust from their hooves rose high, yet did not reach the sky, and Ushvitra’s son stood firm for the conquest of men. Indra also brought the bull Shama in the battles of the Tugras and the cow Shvitri for the contest over the field; even in broad daylight, they did not flee, and the enemy, lying below, saw their defeat. Now, the Ashvins, the divine twin horsemen, are invoked: “Let your three-wheeled chariot come today, O Ashvins, with all your power and bounty. Your wondrous chariot, approached by the wise with prayers, is like garments of frost. Three swift steeds carry your honey-bearing chariot, following the melody of Soma, known to all. With three pillars set at the beginning, you travel three nights and three days, O Ashvins, ever bringing aid and blessings to those who call upon you.” Thus, the sacred story unfolds: Agni, the guardian and sustainer; Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra and bringer of light and bounty; and the Ashvins, swift helpers of mortals—all honored and invoked by the grateful and faithful, who seek their protection, wisdom, and gifts.