When the Maruts, radiant and rejoicing, gathered in praise, they extolled mighty Indra, who delights in the pressed Soma. Stirred by their adoration, Indra seized his thunderbolt. With a resounding strike, he smote the great serpent, releasing the mighty, pent-up waters to flow freely once more. The Maruts, joined by the priests, longed for Indra to partake of the well-pressed Soma, for this offering was a gift he had discovered for humankind. It was after he slew the serpent that Indra drank deeply of the Soma, his strength renewed. At that moment, Indra stretched apart earth and heaven, which trembled before him like a wild beast in fear. Undaunted, he struck down the roaring Dānava as it breathed its last, his might unchallenged. By the will of the gods, all the generous deities bestowed upon Indra the right to drink the Soma. The green horses of the sun, ever advancing, moved forward at his command, heralding his supremacy. With his thunderbolt, Indra, the generous one, shattered ninety-nine strongholds in a single stroke. The Maruts, assembled and singing the Traiṣṭubh hymn, praised him, and together they drove away the darkness. Agni, too, as a friend, acted for friendship, consuming three hundred buffaloes by his will. Indra, along with mortal men, drank the Soma at three sacred gatherings to prepare for the slaying of Vṛtra. Desiring no harm, the generous Indra accepted three hundred buffaloes and three gatherings of Soma. All the gods summoned the priest, just as they had when Indra felled the serpent. When Usanā, with his powerful horses, brought Indra to his home, Indra arrived with eager steeds. There, striving together with Kutsā and the gods, Indra protected his companions and destroyed the demon Śuṣṇa. For Kutsā, Indra set the wheel of the sun rolling, opening a new path for him to walk alone. He struck down the noseless Dasyus with death and drove away those of evil speech from their dwellings. Hymns of praise, like lowing cows, increased Indra’s greatness. For Vaidathina, he subdued the foe Pipru. Ṛjiśvan made Indra his friend, and the wise one cooked the sacred portions and drank the Soma offered by Ṛjiśvan. The Navagvas, pressing Soma, sang Indra’s praises, and the Daśagvas honored him with their hymns. Even the wide, hidden pastures they opened for him, longing to please the mighty god. O generous Indra, how can I recount all your wondrous deeds? What new, mighty acts will you perform, O most powerful one? Reveal them now in the contests, that your glory may be known. All these countless deeds you have accomplished, Indra, surpassing all in birth and might. Whatever bold acts you have done with the thunderbolt, none can match your power. Accept, Indra, these hymns composed for you; whatever new feats you have performed, O most mighty one. Just as a craftsman fashions a fine garment, so the wise one has shaped your chariot, seeking your favor and wealth. Who has seen that hero, Indra, riding easily in his chariot drawn by his bay steeds? He, the wielder of the thunderbolt, comes to the house of the generous one, summoned by many, always desiring the pressed Soma. I sought the path of the resounding one, yearning for the mighty seat of the treasure-giver. I asked others, and they replied, “We, O men, in our seeking, have found Indra.” Now, as the Soma is pressed, we proclaim your deeds, Indra—those which you have done and which have pleased us. The wise know, the unwise hear; this generous one, lord of all hosts, bears all these deeds. From birth, Indra made his mind steadfast. Alone, adorned for battle, he stood against many. With his might, he split even the stone, revealing the wide pastures of the cows for his worshippers. Born far away in the highest place, Indra bore a renowned name in distant regions. Even the gods were in awe of him; he conquered all the waters and the wives of the Dasyus. For you, Indra, the gracious Maruts sing and offer Soma, pouring libations. With your power, you struck down the lying, cunning serpent as it lay hidden. At your birth, O generous one, you scattered the enemies. Seeking the cows, you gathered wealth. When you turned the head of the Dasa Namuci, you opened the path for Manu, granting passage to all who desired it. You yoked me then, O Indra, and crushed the head of Namuci. Even the shining, moving stone you made manifest for the Maruts, as if you had fashioned both earth and heaven anew. The Dasa made weapons as feeble as women; what could his weak armies do to me? Though his cows were hidden, Indra rushed into battle and destroyed the Dasyu. The cows, separated from their calves, lowed all around. Indra, delighted by the well-pressed Soma, gathered them together by his might. When the tawny, trembling Somas delighted him, the bull roared from his seat. Indra, destroyer of cities, having drunk, restored the cows to his worshippers. Auspicious indeed was the act of the Rushamas, O Agni, who gave four thousand cows. For the generous one who pays his debts, we have accepted the gifts of the most bountiful among men. The Rushamas, O Agni, sent forth a splendid gift of thousands of cows. The strong Soma gladdened Indra at the dawn of the day of Paritakmya. That night of Paritakmya shone bright, when the Rushamas’ king, Rnamcaya, was present. Like a swift horse urged on, the brown one gained four thousand. We have received 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 cattle, the uninjured one goes first, eager for victory. Drive forward, O Indra, with your tawny steeds; do not delay, come near to us. For apart from you, Indra, there is no true wealth; even among men, you alone bestow abundance. Indra was born mighty, displaying all his powers. He set in motion the ever-yielding cow within the enclosure and, with his light, dispelled the gathered darkness. The artisans fashion a chariot for the horse, and Tvashtar makes the brilliant thunderbolt for you, O much-invoked one. The priests, praising Indra with hymns, made him grow in strength, so that he might slay the foe in battle. Let the strong sing a hymn to the mighty one, Indra, with the stones, and Aditi in harmony. Those who are horseless and without chariots, driven by Indra, turned back the Dasyus. I have spoken of your former deeds, O bountiful one, and now of your recent acts as well. Like one truly mighty, you bear both heavens, conquering the waters and granting wondrous gifts to humankind. Indeed, this is your deed, O wondrous one, praised by the wise: when, slaying the foe, you measured your strength here; you even seized the illusions of Śuṣṇa, and when you drove away the Dasyus from the waters, you restored their ancient flow. You, Indra, made the waters flow for Yadu and Turvasha, making them richly yielding. You brought the fierce Ayu and Kutsa safely across, and the gods rejoiced with you. Indra and Kutsa, carried by the chariot, let their song be heard by you. Drive away the silent ones, drive away those who sit apart, O generous one, and remove the darkness from our hearts. Even the well-yoked horses of the wind and the wise have come here to seek your favor; all the Maruts, your friends, O Indra, have increased your strength with their hymns. Even the sun circles your chariot on its path, first making it ready, then urging it onward. The wheel, bearing the swift, joins together, setting forth in front, and it will establish our resolve. Thus, O Indra, praised by gods and men, your deeds shine forth—mighty, generous, and ever-victorious. Through your strength, the worlds are upheld, the waters flow, the cows return, and the hymns of the wise are fulfilled.