With reverence and hope, the devotee approaches Indra, offering a gift into his mighty hand and beseeching him, Maghavan, to grant the nourishment of the day or of what has been gathered. The prayer rises to the shining one, seeking his favor and sustenance. Then, the hymn turns to Soma, the skillful and unconstrained, the sage who conquers all and bursts forth with wisdom and poetry. Soma covers what is naked and heals what is strong, becoming renowned even though blind and earless. He is a wide shelter for those who create bodies, protecting them against hatred and the deeds of others. With swift thoughts and skills, Soma moves from heaven to earth, driving away even the hatred of the wicked. Those who seek gain pursue their purpose, and it is the giver who grants the gift, while the desire of the thirsty is set aside. Soma restores what was lost, leads mortals to life, and extends the span of those who have crossed over. The devotee prays for Soma’s graciousness and mercy, for bold resolve and auspiciousness in the heart. They plead: “Do not confuse us, Soma, do not frighten us, O king; do not strike us in the heart with your brilliance.” When Soma, in his abode among the gods, sees evil thoughts, he is asked to drive away the hostile, the malicious, and the deceitful. The focus returns to Indra, the wielder of a hundred powers, unmatched in strength and favor. The devotee acknowledges Indra’s ancient and unfailing help in the pursuit of wealth, imploring his continued grace. Yet, they wonder why Indra, who urges on the weak, does not protect the one who pours Soma, and hope that he will help them. Indra is called upon to protect their chariot, even when it lags behind, to make it advance and bring prize-winning glory. They urge him not to delay, to bring forth the victorious chariot and grant triumph over rivals. Indra is asked to hold firm at the front, for good fortune comes at the appointed time, inspired by ritual. The devotee prays that blame may not reach them, that their wealth may not be lost, and that the unkind may not shut them out from the prize. Whenever Indra performs the fourth sacrificial act, he is most powerful, becoming their lord. The immortal gods and joyful goddesses have increased Indra’s strength, and so the devotee asks for splendid favor, that the wise and generous one may come swiftly at dawn. Indra is summoned to grasp the brilliant, abundant prize with his mighty right hand. The devotee knows Indra as powerful in action, mighty in aid, vast in generosity, and steadfast in support. Neither gods nor mortals can restrain him when he desires to give, just as none can hold back a fierce bull. Indra, lord of wealth and sovereign of light, is praised, and the devotee asks that their share of bounty not diminish. The singer and poet approach Indra with song, binding themselves to his favor. Indra is called to bring wealth with his right hand, to touch them with his left, and not to withhold his gifts. The mighty one among men is urged to step forward with boldness, for he knows the desire of those who praise him. Whatever strength Indra has in winning prizes with the wise, the devotee asks for that strength to be granted to them. May Indra’s youthful powers, shining in every way, swiftly come, and may riches be quickly gathered. Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, is called to run forth from afar and near to the offering of the sweet drink. He is invited to the strong, pressed, exhilarating Somas, to drink as his desire is set. The devotee wishes Indra to rejoice in the offering, for his pleasure and for the favor of the worshipper, and to bring happiness to their hearts. Indra, the unconquered one, is invoked with hymns and asked to approach the shining expanse of heaven. The Soma, pressed with stones and adorned with cows for delight, is offered to Indra. The devotee asks him to hear the invocation, to drink the pressed Soma rich in cows, and to attain full satisfaction. That Soma which is pressed for Indra in cups and mixing bowls is his to drink, for he is the master of it. The Soma which appears in the mixing bowls like the moon in the waters is his to drink, for he is the master of it. The Soma which the eagle brought to Indra, crossing untouched spaces, is his to drink, for he is the master of it. Finally, the devotee chooses the great help of the gods for themselves, that the mighty ones may aid them. They pray that Varuṇa, Mitra, Aryaman, and all the wise and strong gods may always be their allies, securing divine support and favor for all their needs.