A sage speaks: “He who comes to me, declaring, ‘For the Ashvamedha, for the lord of the sun,’ brings with his hymn not only a companion for gain, but also bestows wisdom that leads to immortality. There are those whose fierce ones, a hundred strong, urge on the gifts at the Ashvamedha, like the potent, three-headed Soma-juices. Indra and Agni themselves, at the Ashvamedha where a hundred gifts are offered, uphold immense power, undying in the vast heavens, radiant as the sun itself. Now, Agni is kindled and shines with his flame in the sky, greeting the dawn and spreading his light far and wide. The gods, yearning for the offering, approach with reverence, bringing clarified butter. As you, Agni, are kindled, you become the ruler of immortality; you unite with the sacrificer for his welfare, bestowing all wealth and offering hospitality to the guest who stands in the forefront. Strive, O Agni, for our great good fortune; may your highest glories become ours. Unite us in strong kinship, make us well-yoked, and stand against our enemies with your might. Of you, Agni, kindled and of great brilliance, I praise the splendor. You are the bull, full of glory, ever present at the sacrifices. Summoned and kindled, you lead the gods to the rite, for you alone are the true bearer of the oblation. Therefore, offer and honor Agni with pure intention at the sacrifice; choose him as the carrier of our offerings. In the heavens, Aryaman shines threefold, the divine father of men, upholding three radiant realms. The Maruts, pure in strength, praise you, Indra, for you are their sage and steadfast hero. When the Maruts, in joy, praised Indra who delights in the pressed Soma, he took up his thunderbolt and struck down the serpent, releasing the mighty waters to flow. The Maruts, together with the priests, wish Indra to drink the well-pressed Soma, for this is the offering he found for men—he slew the serpent and drank. Then Indra stretched apart earth and heaven, even as those who trembled in fear like wild beasts looked on. Undaunted, he struck down the roaring Dānava as it breathed its last. By the will of all the generous gods, Indra was granted the right to drink Soma, as the green horses of the sun, ever advancing, moved forward at his command. When Indra, the generous one, with his thunderbolt, shattered ninety-nine strongholds at once, the Maruts, praising him in their assembly with the Traiṣṭubh hymn, drove away the darkness. As a friend for friendship, Agni, by his will, consumed three hundred buffaloes; Indra, together with men, drank the Soma at three gatherings for the slaying of Vṛtra. The generous one, desiring no harm, took three hundred buffaloes and three gatherings of Soma; all the gods called the priest, as they did when Indra slew the serpent. When Usanā, with powerful horses, brought Indra to his house, he came with eager steeds; there, striving together, he journeyed with Kutsā and the gods, protecting them, and destroyed Śuṣṇa. Indra set the wheel of the sun rolling forward for Kutsā, opening a new path for him to travel alone. He struck down the noseless Dasyus with death and drove away those of evil speech from their homes. Hymns of praise, like lowing cows, increased Indra’s might; for Vaidathina, he subdued Pipru. Ṛjiśvan made Indra his friend, and the wise one cooked the portions and drank his Soma. The Navagvas, having pressed Soma, praise Indra; the Daśagvas also honor him with their hymns. Even the wide pasture, though covered, they opened up for him, longing to serve. How, O generous one, knowing your deeds, may I recount your exploits? And what new mighty acts will you perform, O most powerful one? Declare them now in the contests. All these many deeds, O Indra, you have accomplished, surpassing all in birth and might; whatever bold acts you have done with the thunderbolt, none can match your power. Indra, accept the hymns being composed for you; whatever new deeds you have done, most mighty one. Just as a craftsman fashions a fine garment, so the wise one shapes the chariot for you, seeking wealth. Where is that hero who has seen Indra, riding easily in his chariot drawn by the Bays? He, the wielder of the thunderbolt, who, desiring the pressed Soma, comes to the house of the generous one, summoned by many. I sought the path of him who utters the sound, desiring the mighty seat of the treasure-giver; I asked others, and they told me, ‘We, O men, seeking, have found Indra.’ Now, in the pressing of the Soma, we declare your deeds, O Indra, those which you have done and which pleased us. The wise know, the unwise hear; this generous one, the lord of all hosts, bears them all. You made your mind firm, O Indra, since birth; you alone, adorned, stood for battle, even against many. With your might, you split even the stone, and revealed the wide space of the cows for the worshippers. When you were born far away, in the highest place, bearing a renowned name in the distant region, even the gods feared you, Indra; you conquered all the waters and the wives of the Dasyus. For you, O Indra, these gracious Maruts sing, they offer the Soma, they pour the libation. Indra, with his powers, struck down the lying serpent, the cunning one, as he lay hidden. You scattered the enemies with your birth, O generous one. Seeking the cows, you gathered the wealth. When you turned the head of the Dasa Namuci, you opened the path for Manu, desiring passage. Indeed, you yoked me then, O Indra; you crushed the head of the Dasa Namuci. Even the stone, shining and moving, you made manifest for the Maruts, as if you had fashioned the two worlds. For the Dasa made weapons like women; what could his weak armies do to me? Both his cows were hidden within, but Indra rushed forth to battle and destroyed the Dasyu. Then the cows, all around, lowed together, separated from their calves. Indra brought them together with his might, when the well-pressed Somas delighted him. When the tawny, shaken Somas delighted him, the bull roared in the seats. Indra, the destroyer of cities, having drunk, gave back the cows to the worshippers. This is auspicious, O Agni, what the Rushamas did, giving four thousand cows. For the generous one who pays his debts, we have accepted the gifts of the most generous among men. The Rushamas, O Agni, send forth a splendid gift, with thousands of cows. The strong Somas gladdened Indra, at the dawn of the day of Paritakmya. That night of Paritakmya shone forth, when the Rushamas’ king, Rnamcaya, was present. Like a swift horse urged on, the brown one gained four thousand. We have accepted four thousand cows and cattle from the Rushamas, O Agni. Even the heated vessel, which was set down, we, the wise, proclaim as theirs. Indra makes a path for the chariot, for the one who stands in the midst, striving for the prize. Like a herdsman separates the cattle in the herd, the uninjured one goes first, eager for victory.