The singers gathered, their voices rising in the sacred Gāyatrī, chanting praises to the divine. Those who honor the radiant Sun exalt him with their hymns, while the priests, invoking the mighty Indra, yoke him as one would raise a lofty banner, honoring his hundred powers. From summit to summit, Indra ascends, accomplishing many clear and wondrous deeds. As he surveys the world, he considers the purpose of each act, stirring with his troop, ready for action. The priests call upon him: “Yoke your two tawny, strong-haired steeds, fit for the yoke, O Indra, drinker of Soma. Come near and listen to our songs.” They invite Indra to their praises, asking him to resound with his thunderous voice and to be gracious. “Join with our prayer, O generous one, and make our sacrifice flourish.” Let the laudation for Indra be spoken, increasing his glory in the many-guarded place, for he delights in our pressed offerings and friendships. The people seek Indra’s friendship, his wealth, and heroic strength. They pray that this mighty and generous one will grant them riches. “O Indra, famed for gifts, whose path is wide and clear, grant us the wealth of cattle. Open the enclosure, make us prosper, O stone-splitter.” Neither earth nor sky can restrain Indra when he strives. He conquers the shining waters and drives the cows together for his devotees. With open ears, Indra hears their praises and accepts their words, making their hymns effective, even if distance separates them. They know Indra as the most vigorous, famed for hearing invocations in contests. They call upon him for aid, for he grants a thousandfold. “Come to us, Indra of the Kuśikas, delighting, drink the pressed Soma. Extend our new life onward, and make the inspired one a singer of a thousand songs.” May these songs, O lover of song, surround Indra from every side. May blessings that lengthen life and those well-accepted be pleasing to him. All songs magnify Indra, whose expanse is like the ocean. He is the best charioteer among charioteers, the true lord of prizes, the master. In friendship with Indra, the people are strong and fearless. They ever praise him, the unconquered victor. Indra’s many gifts and aids never fail; when he bestows the wealth of cattle, the praisers rejoice in his bounty. The breaker of forts, youthful and wise, of boundless might, was born. Indra, wielder of the bolt, praised by many, upholds all action. He opened the cave of Vala rich in cattle; the gods, terrified, sought him out and came forward when urged. By Indra’s gifts, the hero crossed the wide river; the singers approached him, the lover of song, knowing his power, the poets. With his powers of illusion, Indra overcame the cunning Śuṣṇa; his wise ones know this, and their praises rise high. With hymns, they have approached Indra, the lord of might, whose gifts are a thousandfold and even more abundant. Turning to the sacred fire, they choose Agni as their messenger, the priest who knows all, possessing skill for the sacrifice. With offerings, they always invoke Agni, lord of the people, the beloved carrier of oblations. Agni is asked to bring the gods here, born upon the well-laid altar grass, for he is the priest worthy of praise. He awakens those eager ones as he goes as messenger and sits with the gods upon the altar. Radiant Agni, accepting offerings of ghee, burns away the harmful ones; he is the protector against evil. Through Agni, Agni is kindled—the wise, youthful master of the house, the carrier of offerings, the one who invokes. They praise Agni, the sage, true to law in the ritual, the god who wards off harm. Whoever honors Agni as lord of offerings and messenger, Agni becomes his protector. Whoever invokes Agni with offerings for the favor of the gods, to him, Agni grants kindness. So, radiant Agni, bring the gods here; accept our sacrifice and offering. Bring to us, who praise you, wealth with heroic sons, by the newest Gāyatrī hymn. Agni, with your pure flame and all divine invocations, accept this hymn from us. Well-kindled, Agni brings the gods to the one offering oblations; as pure priest, he worships and serves. Wise Agni is asked to make for them today a honey-sweet sacrifice among the gods, for their well-being. They call Narāśaṃsa, dear in this sacrifice, with honeyed tongue, prepared for offering. Agni, in the most pleasant chariot, brings the gods when invoked; he is the priest established by Manu. Let the wise spread the sacrificial grass, coated with clarified butter, where the vision of immortality is found. Let the divine doors, nourished by immortality, open wide on every side, today and now, for the offering. They call Night and Dawn, adorned with beauty, to the sacrifice, inviting them to sit upon the sacred grass. They call the divine priests, skilled and eloquent, with well-shaped tongues, to perform the sacrifice. Thus, through song, praise, and ritual, the devotees honor Indra and Agni, seeking their friendship, blessings, and the presence of the gods in their sacred rites.