In the midst of a great contest, the supplicants turn to Indra, the generous and mighty one, pleading not to be abandoned. His strength is boundless, and when he acts, the rivers roar, the forests echo, and even the earths seem to gather together in awe and fear. The singers raise their voices in praise to Śakra, magnifying Indra, the powerful hero who listens to their hymns. Indra, bold and virile, subdues both worlds, harnessing his chariot as the bull among heroes. The hymns resound to the great heaven, exalting the widely famed Asura who built fortresses and rides his chariot drawn by two bay steeds. From the heights of heaven, Indra stirs the summit and, with his own courage, shatters the fortresses of Śambara. In his joy, he casts lightning, ensnaring the cunning, hostile revilers. When Indra strikes the head of the wind, even the forests of the roaring, hostile Śuṣṇa tremble. With ancient wisdom and exalted spirit, Indra’s deeds remain unmatched to this day; none can equal him. He has aided noble Turvaśa and Yadu, as well as Turvīti and Vayya, displaying his hundredfold power. He granted the chariot to Etaśa for victory and broke ninety-nine fortresses. Indra is king, lord of the good, the shining one. When called to the offering, he listens to the supplicants. Those who praise him with hymns for wealth are blessed, as his bow pours gifts from the sky. His power and thought are unmatched. Those who drink Soma and support Indra, the giver, increase his ancient might and virility. Abundant cups, filled from the mountain, are offered to Indra. The singers urge him to drink and satisfy his desire, then turn his mind toward granting them wealth. The mountain stood shrouded in darkness, deep within the serpent’s belly, but Indra split the rivers with his force, and all the streams burst forth, flowing down. The supplicants call upon Indra to place his favor upon them, to grant them great strength and power worthy of people. They ask him to protect their leaders, to bestow wealth and mastery. Even the vastness of heaven is spread out by Indra’s greatness; the earth cannot match his might. Fierce and powerful, his radiance shines among men, and his thunderbolt flashes like a blazing reed. Like rivers flowing to the ocean, Indra seizes wide expanses. Eager for Soma, he grows strong and is praised for his warrior’s vigor. Indra enjoys the mountain as his own, unshaken by the law of his greatness. Through his heroic deeds, he is honored among the gods, foremost in every action. In the forests, those who honor him praise his power among people. The bull becomes radiant, the tawny one is strong; Maghavan, with prosperity, grants the cow. Indra accomplishes mighty deeds in battle, granting strength to people with his warrior’s force. Even the bold trust in his lightning, which strikes down enemies. Renowned, he destroys built dwellings with strength, increasing the earth’s power. Creating lights for worship, he skillfully releases the waters for their journey. The supplicants pray that Indra’s mind, as a Soma-drinker, be inclined to giving. They call his horses, who hear praise, to come near, for his charioteers are most desired. None can hinder Indra, whose signs are many. He bears unmeasured wealth in his hands, and his powers, many and renowned, are covered and protected by his deeds. Indra rises like a swift horse among women, shining and giving skill to the great. With his golden chariot, yoked with tawny steeds, he circles together with the Ribhus. Hymns praise him, circling like wheels as rivers flow to the sea. As lord of skill and assembly, he climbs the mountain in splendor. Turvan shines greatly in dust and vigor, his force blazing like mountain lightning. By his delight, he subdued Shushna the magician, causing enemies to rejoice. Divine power stirs Indra, as dawn urges the sun. With bold strength, he drives away darkness, raising dust with his mighty, roaring voice. When Indra spreads the firm support of the sky, he stands above with might. In the joy of pressed Soma, he delights and strikes down the serpent, releasing the waters and the ocean. He establishes the support of heaven with strength, and the dwellings of earth with greatness. In the joy of Soma, he breaks the serpent’s bonds and releases the waters. The supplicants offer their thoughts to the most mighty, Indra, lord of vast wealth, whose true power is renowned. His difficult gift is open to all, his strength unconcealed like waters in a channel. At his command, all mankind rejoices; the waters flow downward, bearing oblations. Upon the mountain, Indra’s golden thunderbolt, the delight-giver, is never restrained. To Indra, awe-inspiring, reverence is offered at the sacrifice, as radiant dawn brings brightness. His power, famed, has made a light for glory, guiding the swift ones. The supplicants, praised by many, rely on Indra and act with strength. None but Indra, singer of praises, can unite their words; as earth is joined, so may he accept their speech. Indra’s valor is great, and the supplicants belong to him, the generous one. They ask him to fulfill their desires. The vast sky follows his might, and the earth is set for his strength. With his thunderbolt, Indra cleaves the great, broad mountain, releasing the confined waters to flow, establishing the whole with his power. Now, Agni, the immortal born of strength, stirs not. When he became the priest and messenger of Vivasvat, he moved through the paths set by the gods, spreading the offering with devotion. Youthful and ageless, Agni comes to his own, thirsting and standing among the fires. Like a horse, his back shines with moisture; like thunder on the mountain’s summit, he resounds. Fierce with Rudras and Vasus, Agni is chief priest, seated for wealth among mortals. Like a swift chariot in races, he brings forth desirable things for life. Driven by wind, he stands among the fires, powerful, making noise with empty ladles. When Agni, the bull among woods, shines, the black wool becomes bright and ageless. The roaring flame, stirred by wind, moves through the forest, blowing down bamboo like leaders in a herd. Moving forward, it traverses the path with strength, frightening birds from their resting and flying places. The Bhṛgus have established Agni among men, like wealth, lovely and well-invoked for the people. As priest, honored guest, and friend, Agni is auspicious for the divine birth. The seven ladles choose the most worthy priest, whom worshippers select at sacrifices. Agni, delight of all the Vasus, is honored with devotion as the treasure is sought. The supplicants ask Agni, son of strength, to grant them today unbroken, friendly protection. Praised and free from distress, wide in power, Agni, son of energy, stands with his ancestors. Agni is called to be a shelter for the singer, a protection for the generous among the generous. Widely, he shields the singer from distress; in the morning, may the wise one come with thought. Thus, the hymns recount the greatness of Indra and Agni: their unmatched might, their acts of protection, their gifts of strength and wealth, their release of waters and light, their roles as king, warrior, priest, and friend. To them, the supplicants offer praise, seeking favor, mastery, and shelter, trusting in the ancient powers that sustain the world and its people.