Desiring abundance and prosperity, the devotee calls upon mighty Indra, whose skilled hands wield the thunderbolt, just as a son calls upon his father for guidance and support. For Indra, the Somas are pressed, mixed with curdled milk, inviting the intoxication and delight that only he can bring. The worshippers urge Indra, wielder of the bolt, to come homeward, drawn by his two bay steeds, to partake in the sacred offerings. Indra is renowned, his ears attuned to praise, and the people beseech him not to let their songs be disregarded. He is the generous one who gives thousands and hundreds at once, and no one should hinder his bountiful spirit. Among men, the unconquered hero shines with Indra, whose deep libations he hastens to drink, earning the title of Vṛtra-slayer. Indra is asked to become a shelter for the generous, joining their battles and sharing with them the knowledge of the one he has struck down. The people pray to bring home the distant prize of life. Soma is pressed for Indra, the drinker of Soma and wielder of the bolt, and the offerings are prepared for his help, for he fills hearts with delight and fulfillment. The Soma-pressers are urged not to falter, but to act skillfully for great wealth, for it is the swift who win and prosper, never the sluggish, whom the gods do not favor. Sudas’ chariot has never been turned aside nor restrained, for Indra is his protector and the Maruts his allies, guiding him toward herds rich in cows. The mortal who strives for victory attains the prize when Indra is his protector. Indra is called upon to guard the chariots and be the champion among men. The portion of the one who strives rises up like unconquerable wealth, and those protected by Indra, the tawny-horsed, are unharmed by enemies. Skill is granted to the Soma-presser. In the sacrifices, a hymn is set—unbroken, well-composed, and beautiful. Even those who went before are surpassed by the one whom Indra supports by his deeds. Indra, mighty with wealth, cannot be overcome, and the warrior faithfully seeks the prize in the farthest heaven. Indra is urged to guide the generous in the slaying of Vṛtra, those who give precious wealth. By his guidance, the people hope to cross all hardships with wisdom. Indra’s wealth begins from the lowest, increases the middle, and together he rules over all the highest; none can withhold the cows from him. Indra is the famed giver of all wealth, to whom the victorious turn. The world of men comes seeking his help, for he is much-invoked. The devotee prays to possess as much as Indra, desiring his favor and asking that the gift not be granted to the wicked. Day by day, the devotee seeks to learn where wealth is found, knowing that apart from Indra, the bountiful one, there is no other source of riches—not even a father. The swift one seeks the prize with Purandhi’s help, and the devotee bows to Indra with song, shaping it as a well-made wheel. No man gains wealth by ill-praise, nor does fortune favor the slothful. The bountiful Indra, strong in power, is asked to grant a sure gift, as is fitting in the highest heaven. The people approach Indra, the champion, as unmilked cows approach their master, recognizing him as lord of the moving and steadfast world, seer of the sunlit realm. No other—neither celestial nor earthly, neither born nor to be born—is like Indra. The generous Indra is called upon, seeking horses, strength, and cows. Indra is asked to bring the might of the greater over the lesser, for he is the ancient benefactor of many, worthy of invocation in every contest. Indra is invoked to drive away foes, grant true wealth, protect in great riches, and be the strength of companions. He is asked to bring resolve, as a father does for his sons, and to instruct the path, so that the people may attain living light. The people pray that unknown or hostile men do not overpower them, nor let evil dwell among them. With Indra, the hero, they will always cross over deep waters. With white-tipped, right-braided hair, inspiring thought, the Vasishthas come forth to gladden hearts. Rising from the sacred grass, the devotee proclaims to men, asking the Vasishthas to be protectors from afar. From afar, they brought Indra with the pressed Soma, past the hostile, fierce guardian; from the Soma of Pashadyumna’s descendant, Indra chose the Vasishthas. With the Vasishthas, Indra crossed the river, struck down barriers, and advanced for Sudas, son of Divodasa, by their prayer. The favored Vasishthas possess the imperishable power of their fathers through sacred utterance, never erring, for Indra placed strength in them with a mighty roar. Like thirsty men seeking water, the chosen Vasishthas shone forth for the king of the Dasharajna. Indra listened to their praise and made wide space for the Tritsus. The people were like rods, the Bharatas young and confined; Vasishtha became their leader, and the Tritsu tribes spread forth. Three create seed in the worlds, three noble lineages, leaders of light; three libations join the dawn, and all Vasishthas know these completely. Their radiance is like the sun’s brilliance, their greatness deep as the ocean, their force like the wind’s offspring. No other praise is to be followed but that of the Vasishthas. With insights of the heart, they move together, a thousand-streamed, weaving the boundary stretched by Yama, the Vasishthas approached the Apsarases. When Mitra and Varuna saw Vasishtha as a flashing light, enveloped like lightning, that was his birth; Vasishtha, the sage, was brought forth by the people. Vasishtha is indeed the son of Mitra and Varuna, born from Urvashi by the power of the mind. All the gods took him, a divine drop fallen in a lotus, by their divine power. Wise in both, knowing all, giver of a thousand gifts and always generous, Vasishtha was born among the Apsarases, crossing the boundary stretched by Yama. In the assembly, the two powerful ones poured the same seed with reverence into a vessel; from the midst of it Vasishtha arose, and from that birth he was called the seer. He bears the Uktha and the Sama, carries the stone, and speaks first. He is to be approached with goodwill, for Vasishtha, the generous, comes to the people. Let the bright, divine thought go forth, well-pleased with us, like a swift chariot, carrying the prayers and praises to the divine.