The sages gathered in reverence, their hearts full of longing and trust, and called upon the divine powers: “O gods, reveal yourselves as our protectors. Let neither the heaviness of sleep nor the sting of slander gain dominion over us. May we, ever beloved of Soma and strong in spirit, speak with vigor and clarity in the assembly.” Turning their devotion to Soma, they proclaimed, “You, Soma, are the giver of all life. With your all-seeing gaze, you bring light to peoples everywhere. O Indu, together with your companions, shield us from all directions—behind and before.” With voices raised, the sages praised Indra, the generous lord. “Let us honor Indra, the bountiful Maghavan, who grants singers abundant wealth, as if by the thousand. Like a leader with a hundred followers, he advances boldly, striking down obstacles for the worshipper. His gifts flow forth in rich abundance, like streams descending from a mountain.” They continued, “To you, Indra, the pressed Soma flows, O singer of praises. Like waters filling a lake, O mighty hero, the offerings strengthen you. Drink the sweetest, most delightful honey, free from sin. Cross over to us, come as you are pleased, with your own power—bold and mighty, overcoming all that is small.” “Our hymn rushes to you like a swift horse with its riders. The gifts your nature delights in, O Indra, are bestowed among the Kanvas, as cows give forth their milk. We approach you, great hero, with reverence—you, the abundant and unfailing lord. Like water pouring from a vessel, your thoughts flow forth, O thunderbolt-wielder.” “Whether now, or in sacrifice, or upon the earth, come swiftly to our offering, O mighty one, with your powerful companions. Your horses are swift and eager, moving like the wind; with them you encompass the offspring of man and behold all the heavens. With these, O Indra, we seek your favor, rich in cows, as you have protected the generous guest and guarded the wealthy guest.” They remembered Indra’s past kindness: “As you, Maghavan, have done for Kanva in the assembly, as for Paktha among the ten clans, as for Gosarya and Asana, O Indra, bestowing wealth of cows and gold.” The sages sang forth the glory of Shakra, the renowned and generous lord. “He who is praised by the one who presses and sings, the desired wealth, is honored as if by the thousand. Indra’s mighty deeds, hard to overcome, are his alone—his powers vast. Like a mountain, his riches flow among the generous when the pressed Soma delights him.” “When the Soma flows to delight you, beloved Indra, the waters pour into the offering place, like milch cows to the worshipper. For the sinless, the invoked, thoughts pour forth honey; to you, O lord, the Soma streams, and our praises are set before you.” “May the Soma, with proper rites, come to us like a horse delighting in its riders. The songs your nature delights in, O Indra, are praised in the city as you choose the invocation. Proclaim the mighty, fierce, discerning, wealth-giving lord—his great generosity is his glory. Like water from a vessel, O thunderbolt-wielder, may you always nourish us with wealth.” “Whether now, in distant lands, or on earth, or in heaven, harness your horses, Indra, and come swiftly, exalted one, with your exalted companions. Your chariot-bearers are tireless, their strength surpassing the wind; with them you strike down the enemy and encompass the heavens.” “We know this much of your favor, O generous one—you have brought Etaśa to success in his quest for wealth, and brought the ten herds under your control. As you, Maghavan, have done for Kanva in the sacrifice, in the long-lasting ritual, O subduer of enemies; as you have granted protection in the cow-stall, O stone-wielder, bestowing upon us the radiant lineage and wealth of the Hari.” The sages recalled ancient times: “As you, Indra, drank the pressed Soma with Manu and Sāṃvaraṇa, guest at the sacrifice, honored at the feast, bringing nourishment and prosperity together. You led Praskaṇva, who lay in sleep, to safety, awakening him; you sought thousands of cows, strong one, wolf to the Dasyu.” “If any fail to find us with hymns, though urged by inspiration, let them hear of Indra with a new song—he who is eager to bestow gifts. He for whom the seven-headed hymn was composed, flawless in the highest abode of the triple realm—he made all these worlds resound and first gained manly strength.” “He is our giver of treasures—Indra, whom we invoke, whose recent favor we know. May we reach the herd rich in cows. To whom, O generous one, you grant gifts, he attains abundance of wealth. You, Maghavan, Indra, singer of praises, we, who have pressed Soma, call upon you.” “When, O Indra, will you be more abundant? When will you accompany the worshipper? May your gift, O Maghavan, come again and again; we seek your divine generosity. With surpassing might, you struck down Krivi with weapons, proclaiming the defeat of Śuṣṇa; when you propped up and spread out the distant heaven, you first became lord of the earth.” “He whose friend is every noble, every Dāsa, every ally, every foe; even among the Arya, even among the fierce, the wealth is won for you. Swiftly the inspired ones have sung the honey-sweet, ghee-flowing hymn; for us the wealth has spread, the manly power and strength, for us the Soma-draughts have been pressed, O Indra.” They remembered further: “As you, O Śakra, drank the pressed Soma with Manu, son of Vivasvat; as with Trita you delighted in the hymn, rejoicing together. For Pṛṣadhra, for Medhya, for Mātariśvan, O Indra, you were gladdened by the pressed Soma. As you drank Soma with Daśaśipra, Daśoṇya, and Syūmaraśmi, you are straight in your ways.” “He who alone composed the hymns, who drank the Soma with boldness—for him Viṣṇu strode out the three steps, in accordance with the law of Mitra. For whom, O Indra, you are pleased in the praises, in the contest for prizes—for him, like a cow yielding abundant milk, we offer you, desiring fame.” “He who is our giver, our father, the great, the mighty, the lordly one—may that mighty Maghavan, the much-invoked, grant us the wealth of cows and horses. To whom, O generous one, you grant gifts, he increases in wealth and prosperity; we, desiring riches, invoke Indra, lord of treasures, of a hundred powers, with our hymns.” The sages concluded with a prayer: “When, O Aditya, will you release us? Protect both our births. May your immortal power, established in heaven, stand firm at the fourth offering. To whom, O generous Indra, singer of praises, you grant your favor, you teach and instruct the worshipper. Hear, O treasure-giver, our songs and our excellent praise; listen to the call of the Kanvas.” Thus, in devotion and gratitude, the sages remembered the deeds of the gods, their gifts and protection, and with hymns and offerings, sought their continued grace and presence.