The ancient sages gathered in reverence, their voices rising in song to celebrate the heroic deeds of Indra. They praised him as the bringer of strength, pouring forth clarified butter in their rituals, and honored him with their thoughts, just as the men of old had done. Seeking his help and favor, they recalled how Indra delighted in the pressings, finding joy with Samvarana and Krisha, and now wished that he would delight in them as well. Their invocation extended beyond Indra, calling for all the gods to approach and aid them. They sought the presence of the Vasus, Rudras, and Maruts, hoping their prayers would be heard. They invited Pūṣan, Viṣṇu, and Sarasvatī to attend their offerings, and called upon the seven rivers, the waters, the wind, the mountains, the lord of the forest, and the earth itself to bear witness to their devotion. Turning again to Indra, they asked him, the most generous among the generous, to remember them in the assembly with whatever wealth he possessed. They prayed that Bhaga, the giver, would increase their share for giving, and invoked Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, to grant them blessings. Indra, lord of contests and men, was beseeched to lead them to strength, that their offerings and invocations might be heard as they strove in worship. The sages knew that noble blessings flowed from Indra for the sustenance of people, and they asked him, the generous one, to grant these blessings and pour forth nourishing food for the worshipper. Their praises were offered to Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, asking him to bestow abundant and splendid wealth without delay, and to gladden Praskanva. The heroic deeds of Indra were proclaimed and drew near, his wealth likened to a wolf’s, set against the enemy. A hundred white bulls shone in the sky like stars, their greatness undiminished, not pressing down the heavens. There were a hundred reeds, a hundred dogs, a hundred worn-out hides, a hundred tufts of wool, and four hundred reddish ones. The Kanva descendants were blessed, moving from youth to youth, and their horses did not tire. From the seven, the fame of the abundant one was praised, and even the dark ones, with dust-covered paths, were not lost to sight. Against the enemy, Indra’s wealth appeared, vast and undiminished, like the strength of the sky. Ten thousand were for Pūtakratu, and ten thousand for the enemy, yet the perpetual riches remained unharmed. There were a hundred asses, a hundred woolly ones, a hundred slaves, and many garlands. Among the horses, in the herd, the breath of Pūtakratu was evident. Agni, the wise and quick, the carrier of offerings, was well yoked to the chariot. With pure flame, Agni shone brightly, and the great sun shone in the sky, illuminating all. The gods were summoned, yoked with ancient resolve and strength, to come with their swift chariot, worthy of worship. The Nasatyas were called to drink at the third pressing. The three and eleven gods, true ones, appeared before the truth, accepting the sacrifice and pressing, and the Ashvins were invited to drink the Soma. The Ashvins’ deeds were praised—the bull of heaven, the realms of earth, a thousand praises, and those who sought the cow all gathered to drink. The portion was set for them, the worshipful ones, and the honeyed Soma was offered, with prayers for gifts from their powers. The priests, mindful, prepared the sacrifice in many ways. The learned Brahman, yoked to the ritual, knew what belonged to the sacrificer. Agni alone was kindled in many ways, the sun alone spread everywhere, Ushas alone shone over all, for all had arisen from the one. The radiant, bannered, three-wheeled chariot, easy to harness and often summoned, was called upon, for in its union splendid gifts were born. The worshipful ones were invited to come, surpassing the empty, to drink. Indra and Varuṇa’s shares flowed forth, their greatness present at every sacrifice and pressing, granting the sacrificer what he sought. The plants and waters settled down, reaching their greatness, flowing at the edge of the sky, at the end of the path, beyond the reach of enemy or godless one. For Indra and Varuṇa, the seven voices milked out the wave of sweet honey, protecting the worshipper, lords of splendor, guarding those uninjured by them with insight. The seven sisters, gentle and ever-youthful, poured out ghee for Indra and Varuṇa, the abode of truth, granting provisions to the sacrificer. The sages spoke for great good fortune, proclaiming the truth of their mighty power, and asked Indra and Varuṇa, with the three and the seven ghee-shedding ones, to protect them. When Indra and Varuṇa first gave to the seers thought, speech, intelligence, and hearing, the wise created the places, performing sacrifice, and the speaker beheld them by their fervor. Indra and Varuṇa were asked to bestow cheerful, unshaken wealth and abundance upon the sacrificers, granting offspring, nourishment, prosperity, and extending their lifespan for many years. Agni was invited to come with the fires, chosen as Hotar. The offering-bearing one called him, most fit for sacrifice, to take his seat on the sacred grass. For Agni, the son of strength, the ladles moved at the ritual; the worshippers sought Agni, the child of strength, with ghee-bright hair, foremost in sacrifices. Agni was praised as sage, creator, Hotar, pure and worthy of worship, gracious and fit for sacrifice, lauded by the wise with shining hymns. The youngest and swiftest god was asked to bring undeceiving, ever-flowing wealth, to come to the well-prepared offerings, to rejoice in the hymns set for him. Agni alone was spread forth as protector, sage, and guardian of truth; the wise kindled him, the shining one, and called him creator. Agni was asked to shine, blaze forth, and grant delight to the people through praise, for he was great. The blessings of the gods were sought, that the noble ones, victorious over foes, might be the fires of the worshippers. Just as Agni revived the aged and powerless on earth, he was called upon to burn up any among them who were hostile or devised evil intent. The worshippers prayed not to be abandoned to mortal foes, the malicious, or the reviler, and asked Agni, the youngest, to protect them with unfailing, swift, and auspicious guardians. Thus, the sages’ prayers and invocations rose up, weaving together the might and blessings of Indra, Varuṇa, Agni, and all the gods, seeking strength, abundance, protection, and the favor of the divine in every aspect of their lives.