Hear now a flowing tale woven from the ancient hymns, as the sage Gotama lifts his voice in praise and invocation to the divine powers. Gotama, wise among seers, addresses Agni, the knower of all births, with a song brimming with reverence. He seeks to exalt Agni’s glory, yearning for blessings and wealth. With every word, Gotama and his companions call upon Agni, the mighty descendant of Angiras, the bestower of strength, their voices rising in hymns to magnify his deeds. They remember Agni as the slayer of Vritra, the fierce one who vanquishes the Dasyus, and their praises seek to honor his valor. Sweet words are spoken for Agni, Rahugana, their hymns exalting him with heartfelt praise. Agni appears golden-haired, swift as the wind, moving through the vastness of the air. Like a serpent, he shakes and bears the streaming offerings, shining with the brilliance of dawn, ever watchful and true. The beautiful-winged ones gather around him, as the dark bull bellows and clouds thunder with rain, bringing auspiciousness without boast. When Agni is filled with the immortal milk, he leads upon the straightest path of truth. The gods—Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna, and Parijman—cleanse the covering in the womb above, purifying all. Agni, lord of strength and master of cattle, abounding in power and energy, is invoked by Gotama for great renown. As the kindler and gatherer of wealth, Agni is praised to shine forth with abundance for the worshippers. Through the nights and dawns, Agni, king by his very nature, is called upon to burn away the demons with his sharp jaws. The people pray for his protection in contests, for he is worthy of praise in every assembly. They beseech Agni to bring them wealth that is victorious in battle, unconquerable and excellent in all endeavors. With his good guidance, they ask for nourishing riches and happiness throughout life. To Agni, Gotama offers purified words, hoping the ancient one, with his sharp flame, will accept their songs with favor. Any who seek to harm the people, Agni is asked to keep far away, standing as their strength and source of victory. Thousand-eyed and all-wise, Agni drives away the demons, and as the priest, he is lauded in every hymn. As Soma is pressed and exhilaration rises, the priest composes songs of increase. Then Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, is invoked. With his immense power, Indra slew the serpent Vritra upon the earth and claimed the sovereignty of the sun. The exhilarating Soma, brought by the eagle, gave Indra strength, and with it, he struck down Vritra from the waters, attaining the sun’s sovereignty. Indra is urged to go forth boldly, for his thunderbolt never falters. His manly vigor is his power, and he is called to strike down Vritra, win the waters, and secure the sun’s dominion. Indra’s deeds echo through the heavens and earth—he struck down Vritra from both realms, released the Maruts, and let the life-giving waters flow, ever claiming the sovereignty of the sun. With the bolt, Indra shattered the summit where Vritra resisted, urging the waters to shelter and advancing in triumph. Upon the heights, his hundred-edged thunderbolt, empowered by Soma, cleared the path for his companions. The gods praise Indra’s unmatched heroic power—his cunning overcame the cunning beast, and his thunderbolts scattered the ships upon the waters. The singers raise their voices by the hundreds and thousands for Indra, celebrating his overwhelming might. The earths themselves trembled at his wrath when, with the Maruts, he slew Vritra. Even Vritra, though not trembling, faced Indra’s iron thunderbolt with a thousand spikes. When Indra struck down Vritra and his weapon, desiring to slay the serpent, his might was held fast in the sky. At Indra’s onslaught, all that moves and stands is shaken; even Tvaṣṭṛ, in his wrath, feels fear. None can match Indra in heroic deeds—the gods themselves placed their power, wisdom, and strength in him. What Dadhyañc, son of Atharvan, and Manu’s father set forth in wisdom, upon that foundation, the ancient hymns and praises for Indra were composed. Indra, the mighty, grew strong with exhilaration, slayer of Vritra among men. To him, renowned in battles since childhood, the people call for success in contests. Indra, hero fit for armies, is generous to all—even the humble and the worshipper receive his abundant gifts. When the eager ones set out for battle, striving for wealth, they call upon Indra to yoke his exhilarated steeds—asking whom he will strike and whom he will enrich, ever hoping for his favor and bounty. By his own resolve, Indra grew in terrible might, adorned with beauty and glory, placing the iron thunderbolt in his golden arms. He filled the earthly realm and held fast the lights in the sky; none like Indra has been born or will be born—he surpasses all in every way. He gives the food of mortals to the worshipper, dividing wealth so all may enjoy his bounty. Rejoicing in the people’s exhilaration, may Indra grant herds of cattle, gather together riches by the hundreds, and shower prosperity upon his devotees. Thus, through the words of the sages, the ancient story unfolds—a tapestry of praise, divine deeds, and blessings sought from Agni and Indra, the mighty powers who guard and sustain the world.