Let us recount the sacred story as revealed in these venerable hymns. The sages, with reverent voices, praise mighty Indra, longing for their words to be the most powerful and nearest to him, hoping that he will drive great wealth toward them. Among the Paṇis, Bṛbu stood high, his stature as wide as the plain of Gāṅgya. His generosity, swift as the wind and abundant in thousands, was ever ready for giving. Thus, all noble singers continually praised Bṛbu, the lord who bestows thousands, honoring him for his boundless gifts. Turning again to Indra, the singers invoke him alone for the prize of strength. They call upon him, lord of the good, in battles and in every contest, seeking his favor. Indra, the mighty one with the thunderbolt in hand, praised for his strength and known as the stone-splitter, is asked to scatter for them cows, horses, and chariots as he conquers the prize for the victor. He, the universal helper and wise, is invoked as the thousand-powered lord of mighty deeds, their strength in battle. Indra, like a furious bull, drives away adversaries, showering blessings upon the eager singers. They beseech him to be their helper in great wealth, in their persons, in the waters, and in the sun. Indra is asked to bring them the highest and most powerful fame, the fame by which he filled both shining worlds. As the strong helper of tribes and king among the gods, he is invoked for aid, to make adversaries easy to overcome and the unfriendly powerless. The singers ask Indra to gather all his strength and manliness, whether among the descendants of Nahusha or among the five peoples, and bring those powers together for them. Whatever heroic power he possesses among the Trikshas, Druhyus, Janas, Purus, or Vṛṣṇis, they ask him to grant it so they may overcome enemies in battle. Indra is entreated to grant triple protection, threefold shelter full of well-being, bestowing his shield upon the generous and upon the supplicant, and driving away the lightning from his people. Those who, desiring cattle, fiercely attack the enemy with boldness, call upon Indra, lover of song, to be their closest protector, present with his strength. Indra is asked to be their strength and support in battle, to keep away the sharp-headed lightnings as the winged ones fly in the sky. Where heroes stretch out their bodies and spread the beloved shelter of the fathers, Indra is asked to grant protection to their persons and kin, and to drive away mindless hatred. When Indra urges on the horses at the contest for great wealth, on uneven roads and difficult paths, may they speed like falcons seeking fame. Like swift rivers rushing down a slope, as birds flock to food, so may those seized by the arms in the contest not turn back. The Soma is praised as sweet, honeyed, strong, and full of essence. No one who has drunk it, O Indra, can withstand him in battle. This delightful drink brought joy to Indra in slaying Vritra, and in his youthful might, he destroyed ninety-nine cities of Shambara. The pressed Soma stirs the singer’s voice and inspires eager thought; this wise one measures out the hero, from whom not even a single world is hidden. This is he who made the wide expanse of earth and the height of heaven. Soma has placed nourishing essence in the three flowing streams and supported the broad midspace. With wondrous vision and knowledge, in the radiant abode and presence of the dawns, this great one upheld the sky, the bull with the Maruts. Indra, slayer of Vritra and hero in the gathering of riches, is invited to drink the bold Soma in the vessel. At the midday pressing, he is asked to become strong and bestow wealth upon the singers. Indra is called upon to look upon them as he did their forefathers, to lead them to the further shore of wealth, to be a good pilot and wise leader. Indra, knowing, leads them to a wide space, to radiant, fearless, and auspicious light. They seek shelter in his strong and ancient arms. Indra is asked to place them in the best chariot, the swiftest, with a hundred prizes and horses, to bring them abundant wealth, and not let the hostile rich man surpass them. Indra is asked to be gracious, to grant life, to inspire prayers as a craftsman sharpens the edge. Whatever is spoken in longing for life, may Indra accept and not bring displeasure from the gods. Indra is invoked as protector and helper, the easily-invoked hero, at every offering. Śakra, much-invoked Indra, is summoned, and Maghavan Indra is asked to grant well-being. May Indra, of excellent protection and generous gifts, be gracious and all-knowing in his aid. May he drive away hatred, grant fearlessness, and let the singers be lords of heroic strength. May they be in the good favor and happy mind of the worshipful one, and may Indra drive away hatred even from afar. To Indra descend the streams, hymns, chants, prayers, and offerings, gathering like wide wealth at the pressings. Who can praise, satisfy, or worship him when Maghavan, the slayer of all, advances? Striking one after another, he makes the former the latter with his powers. The mighty one is heard, fierce, subduing, surpassing others, led by his own force. As king, Indra exalts both the flourishing and the declining among men. He abandons the friendships of the former, moving on to others, seeking new ones, surpassing the old, leaving behind the unexperienced, crossing over many years. Indra has become a counterpart to every form, his form for each observer. With many forms, he moves by his powers, his ten times a hundred steeds harnessed. Yoking the bay steeds to his chariot, he shines greatly, and none can withstand the hostile sides, whether seated or among the shining ones. The singers come to the field of cattle, and the wide earth becomes broad and spacious. Bṛhaspati is asked to show care for the prize, and Indra, knowing, finds the path for the singer. Day by day, the black ones born of the house perished, each like the other. The bull slew the Dāsa, Vasnaya, and in the enclosure, Varcina and Śambara. Indra gave Prastoka ten chariots, ten horses, ten prizes. From Divodāsa and Atithigva he received the wealth of Śambara. Thus, through these hymns, the story of Indra’s greatness, his gifts, his protection, and his victories unfolds, celebrated by the singers and remembered by all who seek his favor.