In the sacred gathering, the devotees prepare the chariot of sacrifices, their voices rising in praise for Agni, the sharp-jawed, the mighty. To him, the pure flame, they offer their hymns, seeking his favor and mercy. They ask that the singer, always devoted, remain under Agni’s protection, and that the pure one show compassion to his faithful. The wise sage, honored at the feast, never sleeps, for Agni shines brilliantly in the sky, a beacon to all. They implore Agni, the ancient poet, to carry their lives forward, shielding them from old harms and conflicts, ever generous in his guardianship. Among those who kindle Agni and lay the sacred grass in order, Indra, youthful and friendly, finds his place. Their kindling is great, their praises abundant, their songs wide-reaching, and Indra, young and as a friend, stands with them. Without battle, yet surrounded by warriors, the hero triumphs by his own strength, and Indra, young and as a friend, belongs to them. When Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, was born, he placed the drop and questioned his mother: “Who are the mighty? Who indeed are heard?” To Indra, the strong, the prayers are directed, for no mountain can restrain him, lord of riches, against those who declare enmity. Generous Indra listens, granting the desires of those who seek him, overthrowing whatever he wishes to overthrow. When Indra goes to battle, riding his own horses, he is the best among charioteers. The devotees call upon him to scatter all hostilities, to drive them far away, and to be the most renowned among all. They pray that Indra make their chariot strong for the prize, so that the envious cannot overturn it. They ask to turn aside his haters from his bounty, and for Indra to lead them to wealth and cattle. Even those who advance slowly, stone-armed, with horses and hundreds of cattle, the eager and tireless ones, reach their goal. Day by day, for Indra, there are thousands and hundreds of generous gifts, measured out for the singers. They know Indra as the winner of wealth, who breaks even the firmest, like one who splits a house. They wish that the bold and rich delight Indra, the wise, wherever he may be, especially when they seek to win treasure from the Panis. They pray that any generous one, eager for gifts, who has sought Indra’s favor, may bring them knowledge of his wealth. Indra’s friends, the Soma-offerers, look to him for nourishment, just as cattle do. Even though Indra may seem deaf, the wide-hearing one, the devotees call to him for help from afar, hoping he will hear their plea and act with determination, becoming their helper and nearest ally. If they have neglected Indra in any way as they moved about, they ask him, knower of cattle, to be mindful of them. To Indra, lord of might, they have bound themselves as a living branch to a tree, placing him in the seat of honor. They sing hymns to Indra, of manifold strength and might, knowing that none choose him in battle in vain. At the pressing of Soma, they pour out the pressed drink for Indra, the bull, inviting him to partake and be satisfied by its exhilaration. They pray that the foolish and hostile may not overpower Indra, nor those who mock him bring him down, nor the haters of prayer subdue him. With the guardians of cattle, they wish to delight Indra for great bounty, inviting him to drink as a tawny one drinks at a lake. The deeds of Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, both old and new, have been proclaimed far and wide, and they urge that these deeds be declared in the gatherings. Indra drank the Soma pressed by Kadru, for the thousandfold strong one, and there he displayed his manly power. They recall the true deeds he performed for Turvaśa and Yadu, remembered by day, as he brought peace to Turvaṇa. They praise the swift one among people, the giver of wealth rich in cattle, proclaiming him as the same for all. Like a craftsman at sacrifices, Indra increases Tugra’s strength and is present with Soma at the pressing. Indra is the one who cut through the three-peaked, broad mountain to make a path for the cows to go forth. Whatever Indra intends or holds in mind, whether delighted or about to act, they implore him not to do anything that might harm them. Even the smallest deed done by Indra is heard throughout the land, and they pray that his mind incline to help them. The glorious praises and renowned deeds belong to Indra, especially when he shows mercy. They beseech Indra not to strike them for a single offense, nor for two, nor for three, nor slay them for many. For those who oppose Indra are afraid of his overwhelming power, and the devotee endures the undying. They pray not to suffer the ruin of a friend, nor the loss of a son, O lord of riches, and ask that Indra’s mind turn back from such things. Thus, in reverence and hope, the devotees sing and pray, seeking the mercy and strength of Agni and Indra, trusting in their generosity, power, and guidance to carry them forward and bless their lives.