Seeking refuge, we come to Agni, radiant as gold, as one would seek the gentle shade beneath the sun. Agni, fierce as a warrior and sharp-horned like a mighty bull, has shattered the strongholds that would confine or oppose. Though ever-present among us, Agni is not carried in the hands as a child might be; instead, he stands as the righteous one, honored among the clans. We call upon Agni to bring forth the divine, to bestow wealth and favor from the gods, and to take his rightful seat among them. As a newborn guest, Jātavedas, we welcome him with the warmth and care of a gentle householder. We invite Agni to yoke his noble horses—those swift and worthy steeds that bear the offerings to the gods. Agni, we ask you to come to us, bringing the sacred offerings for the gods’ enjoyment of Soma. Rise, O Agni, and shine for the Bhāratas with your unfailing, flashing light; blaze forth, undying one. Whoever among mortals, with devotion and offerings, worships Agni at the sacrifice—invoking the true Hotar of earth and heaven with uplifted hands—finds favor in your sight. To you, Agni, we offer hymns and gifts born from the heart; may your strong guardians, the mighty bulls, be ever pleased with you. The gods themselves kindle Agni, foremost and powerful, the slayer of Vritra, who brings forth treasures and fiercely drives away demons. Now, let Indra, the mighty one, drink the Soma for whom we sing. Indra, shatter the wide enclosures that confine the cattle; armed with the thunderbolt, destroy all Vritras and foes with your might. Drink, O Indra, swift and victorious, bull with flowing mane, master of wisdom, breaker of cattle-stalls, bearer of the thunderbolt, as swift as the racing horses. Conquer the prizes with your brilliance. Drink as you did in ancient times; let your joy increase as you hear our hymns and grow with our songs. Make the sun visible to those who thirst, strike down the enemies, and win the cattle. These exhilarating draughts, O Indra, mighty and self-sustaining, make you radiant when drunk; the eager rejoice in your great strength and splendid power. With these draughts, you delight in the sun and the dawn, shatter firm enclosures, and circle the great mountain. Rise up, O Indra, and move about your unshaken seat. By your resolve, your deeds, and your skill, you have cooked the ripe offering, released the cows from their enclosure, and broken the stronghold, letting the cattle flow forth. You expanded the earth, your great power spreading wide; you raised the heavens, O mighty and lofty Indra. You supported the two divine daughters, the ancient mothers, young and true to order. Long ago, when the gods in their ancient cities faced challenges, they placed you, Indra, alone as the mighty one for the task. When the ungodly challenged the gods, they chose you as the bringer of light. With your thunderbolt, the sky itself was split, and waters rushed forth from the blow. When you struck down the serpent, the universal foe fell. Then Tvashtar fashioned for you the great thunderbolt, mighty and adorned, with which you crushed the relentless serpent. All the Maruts joined to increase your strength, O Indra, and prepared the offering for you. Pūshan and Vishnu traversed the three realms, bringing the exhilarating drink for you, the slayer of Vritra. You released the mighty rivers and sent forth the waves of the streams, opening the path and leading the waters to the ocean. Having accomplished all these mighty deeds, Indra, great and unconquered, companion of strength, we praise you with your weapons and thunderbolt, and offer new hymns for your aid. Grant us glory, strength, and wealth, O Indra; bestow brilliance upon the wise. To Bharadvāja, give leaders and heroes, and in heaven, be our protector. With your favor, may we win the prize, rejoice in victory over a hundred enemies, and be blessed with strong sons. Let us praise Indra, supreme in strength, conqueror, invoked by many, mighty and enduring. With songs, we exalt this bull among men. He is the powerful warrior, fierce and swift, leader of men, who stirs the people and becomes champion of the tribes. You alone, O unconquered Indra, struck down the Dasyu, protecting the Arya peoples. Is this your true strength, or is there yet more? Tell us truly. Your power, O mighty-born, stands steadfast and most forceful, swiftest of the swift. Your fierce strength grows ever greater, your resolve ever more unyielding. May that ancient friendship be ours with you, as we speak with the valorous Angirases. You shattered the fortresses of the unyielding, those who opposed us, breaking every defense. He is ever to be invoked with prayers, the mighty one, the champion in the great battle against Vritra, wielder of the thunderbolt, who brings prosperity to children and descendants, victorious in battle. By his greatness, he has surpassed the origin of men, excelling with an immortal name. By his glory, might, and wealth, Indra stands foremost among heroes, dwelling with men. He, who neither confuses nor deceives our people, has subdued Cumuri and Dhuni; Indra, you have cast down Pipru, Sambara, and Shushna, destroying their fortresses for Cyautna, even now. Rise up, mount your chariot, O Indra, with your bay steeds, for the slaying of Vritra. Take the thunderbolt in your right hand; with your manifold powers, be exhilarated. Like fire consuming dry wood, let your weapon burn up the demon, like terrible lightning. With deep and lofty force, you have shattered and driven away evils, subduing the wicked. Come, Indra, by a thousand paths, with wealth, glory, and abundant prizes. Come, O son of strength, lord of battle, invoked even now. Your ancient greatness, ever-glorious and splendid, has spread over heaven and earth. No enemy or rival exists for you, nor any equal for your manifold powers. Let your deeds today be accomplished, as when you aided Kutsa, Ayu, and Atithigva. You have cast down thousands, leading the bold Turvayana to victory over the lands. After you, O god, the gods themselves rejoice, you who are wisest among the wise. Where you make a path for the oppressed and for the people, you are praised, O Indra, for your aid and protection.