The sages gathered, their hearts full of devotion, and called upon Indra, the mighty god, to join their sacred feast. They invited him to drink the exhilarating Soma, freshly pressed and overflowing with joy, and to delight in their cattle-rich offerings. Indra, their companion at the feast, was beseeched to become their ally, to let his thoughts protect and increase their prosperity. They prayed for Indra’s favor, recognizing him as the generous prize-giver. With humble voices, they asked that they not fall before hostile forces, and that Indra shield them with his wondrous powers, leading them always into his kindness. The singers, far-seeing and wise, raised their pure and bright songs to Indra, hoping their praises would increase his glory. They celebrated his greatness, comparing him to the vast ocean, mighty and true, and honored his power in sacrifices and the sovereignty of inspired leaders. Indra alone was called upon by the forest-dwellers, whether at offerings or in assemblies, for the sake of the gods and for the gaining of wealth. His greatness was such that he spread the two worlds, made the sun shine by his power, and contained all beings within himself; even the pressed Somas drew their strength from him. The ancient drinkers, the Ayus, the Ribhus in harmony, and the Rudras all sang Indra’s praises, honoring the ancient one with their hymns. Through the exhilaration of Soma, Indra grew in manly strength, and the Ayus continued to praise his greatness as they had in times past. The sages approached Indra for heroic strength and sacred insight, recalling how he had brought wealth to the Bhrigus and aided Praskanva for the benefit of the devout. They remembered how his mighty power released the great rivers to the ocean, and how his greatness remained undiminished, unconquered by the earth. Indra was asked to grant wealth and heroic strength, to bestow prizes first upon the eager, and to grant ancient praise. As he had aided leaders in their striving, protected Rushama, Shyavaka, and Kripa, and bestowed sunlight, the sages prayed for similar blessings. Mortals praised the Kannavas, the Atasinas, and the swift, yet acknowledged that none could match the measure of Indra’s greatness, though all praised him. They wondered who, among the inspired and truth-seeking, truly comprehended Indra, and when the generous god would come to the call of those who pressed and praised. Upward rose the most honeyed songs and praises, unwearied and victorious, hastening like chariots for the prize. Like the Kanvas, the Bhrigus, the Suns, and all inspired ones before them, the Medhasas sang aloud, magnifying Indra with their hymns. They called upon Indra, slayer of Vritra, to yoke his two bay steeds and come from afar to the Soma drink, arriving mighty and generous among the eager. The poets and wise ones longed for him, seeking wisdom, and hoped he would listen to their call as a singer listens to song. Indra’s heroic deeds were remembered: he struck down Vritra from the great bows, destroyed the cunning Arbuda, and drove out the mountain’s cows. When fire, sun, and Soma’s essence were extinguished, Indra cast down the great demon from the midspace, displaying his manly power. Among the Maruts, Indra shone, difficult to approach, yet brilliant as if running in the sky. The red Pākasthāma, broad-flanked and undeceived, was praised as the awakener. Others, ten in number, carried the yoke and fires, returning like birds to their nest. Indra was declared as soul from the father, body as garment, giver of strength as ointment, and the fourth, the red generous Pākasthāma, the giver. Whenever Indra was invoked by men in the east, west, north, or south, he became renowned among many peoples as a helper and champion for Turvasha. In the houses of Ruma, Rushama, Shyavaka, and Kripa, Indra delighted with them, and the Kanvas invited him with hymns and praises. As a thirsty bull approaches water, so Indra was called to come to the sages, their fathers and grandfathers, to drink with the Kanvas and delight in the pressed Soma. The exhilarating drops were offered to gladden him, and with the best pressed draught, Indra gained strength and might. With force, Indra created strength and shattered anger; all warriors who opposed him were subdued like trees felled. Thousands joined the praise, ever young, making their sons foremost in manliness and winning gifts with words of reverence. The sages prayed for courage and endurance in Indra’s fierce friendship, wishing to witness his great deeds, especially those done for Turvasha and Yadu. Indra, swelling his flank like a bull, was generous and not angered; cows mingled with honey and richness came, and the sages invited him to drink and delight. A friend of Indra was one with horses, chariots, fine form, and cattle, sharing in strength and shining in the assembly, ever youthful. Indra was called to the fresh draught, like a thirsty wild beast, to drink the Soma and take up the strongest might day by day. The Adhvaryu was urged to make the Soma flow, for Indra thirsted. His two strong steeds were yoked, and the slayer of Vṛtra arrived. Even the worshipper felt great when Indra was satisfied with Soma, for this was his fitting, well-mixed food. The Adhvaryus pressed Soma for Indra standing on the chariot, and the pressing stones resounded, pouring forth offerings for the generous ritual. The two strong, swift steeds brought Indra quickly, and seven ritual teams adorned for sacrifice carried him to the pressing ground. Pūṣan, the much-giving, was chosen for companionship, and Shakra, much-invoked, was asked to teach with wisdom and grant release for wealth. The sages prayed to be sharpened like a razor on a strop, to be granted wealth, and to know the well-known, shining treasures bestowed by Indra upon mortals. Thus, through song, praise, and ritual, the sages celebrated Indra’s might, generosity, and deeds, inviting him again and again to their midst, and seeking his blessings for wisdom, strength, and prosperity.