In the ancient days, even the earliest gods, seeking sovereignty and lordship, surrendered their powers to a greater might. In their contests of strength, they turned to Indra, the mighty, for aid, for he is the dispenser of gifts to the powerful. Not only the strong, but even the weakest among men call upon Indra, the lord of boundless fortune, for help. Time and again, he has been a protector a hundredfold, and the guardians of the mighty one have surrounded and shielded his devotees. Therefore, the people pray: “Indra, may we always remain your friends, our reverence ever growing, our own strength swelling through your greatness. Let your favor grant us victory in the assembly; may your might overcome the force of hostile men. Bestow upon us that wealth which springs from your own nature, the wealth that the generous distribute. May your power be abundant for your worshippers, and may you always keep us safe and well.” The priests press the Soma, offering it to Indra. “Drink, Indra, let this Soma delight you—the sacred drink pressed for you by the stones, skillfully poured by devoted hands from the mountain. May the exhilarating draught, by which you once slew the Vṛtras, intoxicate you again, O mighty lover of horses. Hear, generous one, the praise offered by Vasiṣṭha; accept these hymns at our shared feast. Listen to the call of the one who pours from the mountain, and attend to the inspired thoughts of the singer. Grant us your most helpful favor, so that we may be joined with you.” The worshippers continue: “O mighty one, I cannot deny your words nor your praise, for I know them well. I always proclaim your name and your true glory. Among men, your libations are many, and the wise call upon you often. O generous one, do not take our dwelling from us. All these offerings are for you, O hero; for you, I compose hymns that increase your greatness. You are to be invoked by men in every way. Even those who think themselves strong cannot attain your greatness, O fierce Indra. Your manliness and bounty are beyond compare.” The people remember: “Both the ancient seers and the new, those inspired ones who have composed hymns, have sought your friendship, Indra. May their auspicious bonds be with us, and may you always protect us with well-being.” As the hymns rise in glory, Vasiṣṭha magnifies Indra in every contest, recalling how, by his might, Indra stretched out all things. “Let him hear my eager words. I have come with a call, O Indra, born of the gods, to you who are praised by the wise. No one among men knows his own lifespan; carry us beyond our difficulties. You have yoked your searching chariot with two bays, and the hymns, desiring you, have drawn near. Unconquered, you have scattered the two worlds and slain the Vṛtras. Even the waters swell at the true song of the singer, O Indra. Come to us as the wind comes to its followers, for you distribute the prizes according to our thoughts.” “May these exhilarations gladden you, O Indra, mighty and generous to the worshipper. You alone, hero, show favor among mortals; rejoice in this libation. Thus do the Vasiṣṭhas praise Indra, the mighty one with the thunderbolt in his arm, with their hymns. May he grant us heroic sons and cattle, and may he always protect us with well-being.” A seat is prepared for Indra in his dwelling. The people call: “Come, much-invoked, with men. As our protector and increaser, grant us wealth and be delighted with the Soma. Indra, your mind is held fast by the twice-filtered, sweet Soma, pressed and poured; the milk flows forth, the offering is abundant, and this prayer calls to you. Come to us, O powerful one, from heaven and earth; approach this sacred seat to drink Soma. Let your bay steeds bring you, eager for the sweet, to this song for your delight. Come to us, Haryaśva, with all your aids, accepting our hymn. Grant us wide protection with your enduring strength, O fair-bearded one, and place your manly vigor with us, Indra.” “This praise is set forth for the mighty, fierce one, like a charioteer urging his team. Indra, this hymn seeks you among the treasures—grant us your attention as heaven listens to the sky. Thus, Indra, fulfill us with what is excellent; may we obtain your great favor. Pour forth nourishment and heroic sons for the generous; guard us always with your blessings.” When armies gather for battle, they come together seeking Indra’s might. The lightning falls from the arms of the heroic one, and the people pray: “May your mind not stray from us in any direction. Strike down the strongholds, Indra, and defeat the foes who oppose us. Turn away the curse of the hostile, and bring us the gathered wealth. A hundred praises and a thousand blessings be for Sudās; grant us gifts, slay the weapon of the mortal enemy, and establish glory and treasure for us.” “For strength, Indra, I am yours; for protection, O hero, I am yours in the contest. Each day, mighty one, with your power, make a home for us, O Hariva, and do not let us be harmed. With Kutsā and Haryaśva, aided by the gods, these men have come to you for strength. Accomplish the victory together, O hero, so that we may win the prize with your help. Thus, Indra, fulfill us with what is excellent; may we obtain your great favor. Pour forth nourishment and heroic sons for the generous; guard us always with your blessings.” Yet, sometimes, even the pressed Soma and the Brahmans’ chants do not delight Indra. Therefore, Vasiṣṭha composes a hymn, eager for sacrifice, that the youthful hero may hear as he wishes. “With every hymn, Soma delights Indra; with every rite, the generous one is pleased by the offerings. When pressed hard, like sons calling on their father, those of equal skill call for help. Indra has done these deeds and will do others, as the wise say. Like a husband with his wives, Indra alone has cleansed all the strongholds for me. Thus they say, and listen, Indra: you alone distribute and surpass all in gifts. Your many aids contend with each other, and for us, may you join together all that is good and dear.” Thus, Vasiṣṭha, for Indra’s aid, praises the bull among men at the pressing: “Come to us with thousands, bring us the prizes, and guard us always with your blessings.” In every contest, men call upon Indra with invocations, yoking their thoughts to the challenge. “O hero, giver of strength, grant us a share in the cattle-rich prize. That strength of yours, Indra, belongs to the generous; grant it to your friends among men. For you are wise, O generous one, in breaking strongholds—increase for us the surrounding wealth.” Indra, king of peoples, rules over the world and all its varied forms. From his lofty seat, he gives treasures to the worshipper, and, even when praised from afar, he draws near, eager to grant gifts. Now indeed, Indra the generous, when invoked, never withholds strength or bounty; his gifts are never lacking, and his right hand overflows with blessings for men and friends.