Hear now the story of Indra, the mighty hero, as sung in these ancient hymns. Indra, the lord of many forms, is exhilarated by the sacred Soma. In his joy, he has vanquished his foes, meeting no resistance. The singers, with reverence, offer him the honeyed Soma, that he, the hero with the tuft, may drink and be pleased. They call upon Indra to drink the pressed Soma, to wield his thunderbolt and slay the enemy, rejoicing in his power. Even from afar, let him come to the sacrifice as the benefactor, the protector of thoughts, and the guardian of the singer. A vessel is prepared for Indra’s drinking, filled with his beloved, immortal drink. May this bring joy to the god and drive away hatred and enmity from the people. Rejoicing in the Soma, Indra is urged to strike down his enemies, to destroy the hostile and unfriendly, and with his force to attack those who oppose, utterly defeating and slaying them. The people implore bountiful Indra to fight for them, to grant them great and easy passage. They ask him to defeat the enemies who threaten their water, offspring, and descendants, to make them lords and secure their share. Indra’s stallions, harnessed and mighty, and his chariots with strong reins, stand ready. Let them bring the thunder-bearer for the delight of those who praise him. His mighty companions have come to the vessel, delighting in butter and honey. For Indra, the bulls bring the pressed Soma, so that the mighty one may drink. Indra is hailed as the bull of heaven, the bull of earth, the bull of rivers, and the bull of women. For this mighty one, the Soma swells—the sweet juice, fit for the best, ready for drinking. A god, born in strength, with Indra as his ally, has overcome the demon. He has taken up the weapons of his father, and the Soma has burned away the evil magic. This one has made the dawns good wives, has placed light within the sun, and in the three regions of heaven, in the shining places, has found the hidden nectar. He has supported heaven and earth, yoked the seven-rayed chariot, placed the ripe Soma among the cows by skill, and established the tenfold fountain. Indra, who led Turvasha and Yadu from afar with wise guidance, is called upon as a youthful friend to be with his devotees. He provides sustenance even for the unskilled; even for the swift horse, Indra is the conqueror, granting desired wealth. Great is his guidance, and many are his blessings; his aids never diminish. Friends are urged to sing forth to Indra, the bearer of prayer, raising their voices, for he is their great support. Indra alone, the slayer of Vṛtra, is the helper of one and of two; the singers wish to be as he is. He leads the hostile away, brings down those who speak against the hymn, and among men is called mighty in heroes. With words, the friend, the singer, the bearer of prayer is called, as one calls a cow to milk. All treasures are placed in his hands without division; he is the hero who conquers in battle. Even the firm strongholds of peoples, Indra shatters, wielding the stone; he brings down the unbending tricks. Indra, the true one, drinker of Soma, lord of prizes, is called by those desiring fame. Whoever, whether aided in the past or now in the quest for wealth, is worthy of offering—Indra hears his call. With prayers and swift horses, Indra is implored to bring glory; with him, his devotees may win the sought-for wealth. Indra has become, heroic and song-loving, great in the contest for wealth, the one to be invoked in the struggle. His aid, ever ready at hand, is sought to set the chariot in motion. With his chariot, most skilled in charioteering, attacking with theirs, Indra wins the sought-for wealth. He alone is praised, the most discerning among peoples, the lord born with mighty resolve. Indra has been a good friend to the praisers, bringing help; they pray that he show them mercy. He is called to take up the thunderbolt, to slay the demon and be most powerful against the foes. The ancient companion of riches, inspirer of praise, best bearer of prayer, is called forth. Indra alone, song-loving and unaging, rules over all earthly treasures. With his troops, he is asked to fill his devotees with desire, prizes, horses, and cattle, as the bold lord of cattle. His praise is sung at the pressing of the Soma, for the much-invoked, for the mighty, so that there may be well-being for the cow and joy for the people. The generous one does not withhold the gift of wealth abounding in cattle when the songs reach him. Perhaps he will go forth to the cattle-rich enclosure of the foe; with his powers, may he drive them away from his devotees. These hymns, O hundred-powered one, reach out to Indra as mothers to a calf. His friendship is sought for the sake of cattle; he is asked to be a horse for the horse-seeker. Indra is urged to delight in the Soma, for the sake of wealth and great strength, and not to abandon the praiser to poverty. These hymns, at every pressing, long for Indra, lover of song, as cows for a calf, as milch cows for their young. Among the many, Indra is the most bountiful; let him make his praisers victorious with prizes. Thus, the story of Indra unfolds—mighty, generous, and ever ready to aid those who sing his praise and offer him the sacred Soma.