As the sacred Soma was pressed and offered, its invigorating essence awakened the poet’s voice and stirred his eager thoughts. This wise and all-knowing Soma, the source of heroic might, was revealed as the one from whom nothing in the three worlds is hidden. He is the very being who fashioned the broad earth and the lofty heavens, who poured nourishing essence into the three flowing streams, and who upheld the vast midspace between earth and sky. This wondrous seer, endowed with radiant vision and knowledge, abides in the luminous realms, ever present at the coming of the dawns. By his great strength, he has upheld the heavens, a mighty bull in the company of the Maruts. To Indra, the slayer of Vritra and hero in the gathering of riches, the bold Soma is offered in the vessel. At the midday pressing, he is invited to drink, to become strong, and to bestow wealth upon his devotees, for he is the possessor of all treasures. The faithful call upon Indra to look upon them as he did their forefathers, to lead them safely to the further shore of abundance. They beseech him to be a skillful pilot, a wise and good guide, carrying them across the perils of life. Indra, knowing all, is asked to lead his worshipers to a vast and radiant space, to a fearless and auspicious light, and to shelter them in his strong and ancient arms. The prayer continues: "Place us, O Indra, in the best and swiftest chariot, one adorned with a hundred prizes and horses. Grant us the richest wealth; let not the hostile and wealthy surpass us, O generous one. Be gracious, Indra; grant me life and inspire my prayers as a craftsman sharpens his blade. Accept my words, offered in the hope of long life, and do not let me fall into the displeasure of the gods." At every offering, Indra is invoked as protector and helper, the easily-invoked hero, Śakra, and Maghavan—may he grant well-being. May Indra, the giver of excellent protection and generous gifts, aid his devotees, drive away hatred, and grant them fearlessness and heroic strength. May they dwell in his good favor and happy mind; may he drive away all enmity, even from afar. To Indra, the hymns, chants, prayers, and offerings descend like streams, as he gathers the many drops of Soma, collecting wealth as wide as the earth at the pressings. Yet, who can truly praise or satisfy him, when Maghavan, the mighty slayer, advances? With his great powers, he strikes down his foes, making the former the latter, and exalts both the flourishing and the declining among men. Indra, fierce and surpassing all, moves on from old friendships to new, ever seeking fresh alliances and leaving behind the untried. He assumes many forms, becoming a counterpart to every being, moving by his powers, with ten times a hundred steeds harnessed to his chariot. Yoking his bay horses, he shines brilliantly, and none can withstand him, whether among mortals or gods. The worshipers arrive at the field of cattle, where the earth is wide and generous. They call upon Bṛhaspati to watch over the prize and upon Indra to guide the singer’s path. Day by day, the black foes perished, each one like the other, as the bull Indra slew the Dāsa Vasnaya, and in their strongholds he vanquished Varcina and Śambara. Indra’s generosity is recounted: he gave Prastoka ten chariots, ten horses, and ten prizes. From Divodāsa and Atithigva, he received the wealth of Śambara. The singer himself obtained ten horses, ten chariots, ten garments, abundant food, and ten lumps of gold from Divodāsa. Atharvan received ten chariots with seats and a hundred cows, while Aśvatha gave to Pāyu. Sārñjaya bestowed upon the Bharadvājas great and all-generating wealth. The Lord of the Forest is invoked to be strong-limbed and victorious, a friend and a heroic crossing for his devotees, bound to cows and standing firm for success in conquest. Strength is gathered from heaven and earth, from the trees, and from the vigor of the waters, all offered with cows as oblation to Indra’s bolt and chariot. Indra’s bolt is the foremost of the Maruts, the embryo of Mitra, and the navel of Varuṇa. Accepting the offering, Indra is asked to take up the chariot for the sake of his worshipers. The breath is directed toward earth and sky, and the drum, together with Indra and the gods, is invoked to drive away enemies from afar. The drum is called to resound with strength and power, to strike down hardships, and to fall upon the wicked as Indra’s fist. The drum is urged to rise up, turn back evil omens, and sound forth victory. May the charioteers, with horses swift as the wind, move together, and may Indra grant victory to their warriors. Turning now to Agni, the priests offer sacrifice after sacrifice, song after song, praising Agni for his skill. They proclaim Jātavedas, the immortal and beloved friend, just as Mitra is praised. They seek to serve the Son of Strength, to invoke him for their offerings, and to have him as their protector in battle, their increaser and guardian. Agni is mighty, unfading, and great, shining forth with his flame. His ceaseless radiance blazes, and he shines brightly with his good gifts. He worships the great gods, performing sacred rites with wisdom and power, drawing them near to help his devotees, granting them strength and wealth. He is nourished by the waters, stones, and forests—the embryo of immortality, kindled among men upon the earth. He fills both heaven and earth with his light, moving with smoke in the sky, seeing through darkness with his waves—he is the tawny bull among the dark ones. With his great flames and bright radiance, Agni is asked to shine upon his worshipers, to shine for Bharadvāja and all who kindle him, granting brightness and light. As the lord of all households, Agni is asked to guard his devotees from a hundred evils, to grant a hundred winters to those who praise and give. With wondrous aid, Agni is invoked as the treasure-giver, to inspire his devotees with gifts, to be the charioteer of their wealth, leading them to abundance and security. He is asked to carry their children and descendants safely, to keep away divine anger and the offenses of the ungodly. Finally, the worshipers invite one another: "Come, friends, let us approach the cow with abundant milk and a new song. Set her free; let her not be restrained.