In the ancient gatherings of humankind, Agni, the pure and radiant one, was established as the foremost among men. He shone as the giver of treasures, the most excellent Hotar, honored in every tribe and household. As the lord of the home, Agni was invoked to be the master of wealth for those who were prosperous. The Gotamas, with devoted thoughts, praised Agni, the lord of riches, calling upon him to come swiftly at dawn, bearing wisdom and gifts, for he is ever-beneficent. Turning then to mighty Indra, the hymns rose like precious offerings, extolling his greatness and strength. Inspired sages, the Adhrigavas, sent forth their songs to Indra, the most generous of all. With abundant voices and heartfelt thoughts, the ancient lord was adorned with prayer, his fame magnified by the wise. The hymns, skillfully joined like a craftsman fitting a chariot, resounded for Indra, lover of song and wisdom, so all might hear of his heroic deeds. The praise offered to Indra surged like a victorious troop, honoring the heroic and bountiful one, renowned upholder of law. For Indra, Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine artisan, fashioned the mighty thunderbolt, fit for glory and battle. With this weapon, Indra struck at Vṛtra’s vital spot, shattering the stronghold and releasing what was held captive. At his mother’s urging, Indra drank in his father’s strength in a single draught. Swiftly aided by Vishnu, he prepared the offering and pierced the boar that concealed the mountain. For these great deeds, even the goddesses, the wives of the gods, sang hymns to Indra. Heaven and earth, vast and broad, embraced him, yet his greatness could not be contained. Indra’s might spread through all the worlds—heaven, earth, and the midspace. Famed in every abode, he took up his strength for battle, shining in victory. With his thunderbolt, Indra cut down the withering Vṛtra and released the imprisoned waters, winning glory for those who yearned. At his mighty roar, the rivers rejoiced, their courses shaped by his will; the lord, ever generous, bestowed abundance upon the eager. Indra was called to bring forth the thunderbolt for slaying foes in many ways. With the goad’s edge, he split the ridges and drove apart the waters, so the floods might flow freely for the people’s dwelling. His ancient deeds, fierce and mighty, were spoken of in new hymns—when he armed himself for battle, he scattered his enemies. At the terror of Indra’s birth, the firm mountains and the vast heavens and earth trembled. Those who approached the wise one’s seat, inspired poets, became endowed with strength. Indra, lord of abundance, was to be followed among the worthy, even when alone in the forest. Striving with the Sun for the prize, he gained the swift horses of Suvaśva. For Indra, the Harijanas and the Gotamas composed splendid hymns, seeking his all-encompassing insight. They prayed that the wise one would come swiftly at dawn, bringing understanding. The Gotamas then offered hymns to the mighty, the strong, and to the singer descended from Angiras. With well-formed verses, they praised the ancient hero. They brought homage to the powerful one, as their forefathers, the Angirases, once did, who through their hymns found the hidden cows. In the striving of Indra and the Angirases, Sarama discovered the cattle for her offspring. Brihaspati split open the rock, revealing the cows, and the people rejoiced with the dawn. With the Suṣṭubh and Stoma, with seven wise ones and nine singers, the strong one broke the rock, shattering Vala with his roar and the ten singers. Praising with the Angirases, Indra, with the Sun and the cows, dispelled the darkness. He spread out the earth and upheld the sky, making the expanse unshaken. This wondrous deed was visible to all, as at the meeting place, four honey-rich rivers overflowed. Twice, with hymns sung by the eager, Indra opened the ancient, hidden enclosure. Though Bhaga did not consider in the highest heaven, the mighty ones supported earth and sky. From ancient times, the vast earth and diverse heavens circled, ever renewed, with their own forms. The dawns, dark and red, moved in shining succession. The son, observing friendship from of old, upheld all with might and wisdom, placing the milk among the black and red fertile ones. From ancient times, the lowlands and heights, the winds and immortals, upheld the laws. Many thousands, like wives, honored the unaging one. From ancient times, the youthful ones, with reverence and new hymns, approached the wondrous one, desiring wealth. Like radiant wives to a lord, they touched him with might and thought. Indra’s riches, ever abundant, never diminished nor exhausted. Resplendent and steadfast, he was prayed to for skill—may he grant to his worshippers powers like his own. For Indra, the hymn of Gotama was renewed, a prayer fashioned for the tawny-yoked one. With his strength, he was asked to guide well, and may the wise and generous one come swiftly at dawn. Indra, by his powers, brought forth heaven and established the earth. With his force, he shattered the mountains, making even the firm ones tremble. When his two steeds were harnessed, the singer placed the bolt in his hands, and with it, the unconquered one destroyed many enemy fortresses. Indra, true and bold in deed, was the enjoyer of offerings and the strong hero. He struck down Śuṣṇa in the field and aided Kutsā in battle. Urged on by friends, he wielded his bolt and struck down Vṛtra, scattering the Dasyus like chaff. Indra was the destroyer of the hostile, cutting down foes as a woodcutter fells trees. Men invoked him in contests for wealth and glory, seeking his unfailing favor in their battles. He shattered seven fortresses for Purukutsa, and as for Sudās, he scattered the hostile bands, granting wide space for Pūru. Indra filled the shining gifts for his worshippers, like waters in their courses, protecting them on all sides. His strength, like nourishment, flowed for their well-being. For Indra, the Gotamas composed hymns, spoken with reverence for his steeds. They prayed for splendid wealth, that the wise and generous one might swiftly come to them at dawn. Thus, the story of the gods, their deeds, and the devotion of the Gotamas, shines forth—Agni, the radiant priest, and Indra, the mighty hero, are ever praised, their gifts sought at the break of every new day.