Indra, the mighty and unconquered, speaks of his own deeds and strength. He is the barrier that protects, the force behind Atharvan’s power. It was Indra who brought forth the cows for Trita, who stands above the mighty, and who has granted true manliness to the noble, never to the foe. Dadhichi and Mātariśvan received their clans from him, for he is the bestower of power and favor. For Indra, Tvaṣṭṛ himself fashioned the iron thunderbolt, and the gods placed their collective might within him. His visage is as unyielding as the blazing sun, and through his deeds and actions, the gods pay him their homage. To those who worship him with Soma and hymns, Indra bestows shining wealth—cows, horses, and gold in abundance, heaping up thousands for the devotee. Never has Indra been defeated, nor has he yielded to death. Those who press the Soma, let them seek wealth from him, for Indra is generous to his friends—such as Pūru, who remains steadfast in friendship. He has overcome those who, eager for horses, prepared the thunderbolt for battle; when challenged, he struck down the hostile, the strong, the arrogant, and those who would not bow. Though he is but one, Indra contends with the many; what could two or three do against him? Like a thresher, he strikes down his enemies, and wonders why those who are not Indra dare to revile him. He brought food to the Guṅgus and Atithigvas, sustaining the people as the slayer of Vṛtra. Whether against Parṇaya or Karañja, Indra’s voice was heard in the great Vṛtra-slaying. To the one who bows to him, Indra grants food and strength; he brings the worshiper into friendship with the cow-giver. When honored in assemblies, he brings forth what is praiseworthy and worthy of hymns. Soma, though not seen or appearing openly, makes Indra manifest—the bull with sharp horns, eager for battle, stands bound within, ready with his two hands. Indra does not violate the ordinance of the Ādityas, Vasus, or Rudras; he is the god among gods, and prays that they fashion him for prosperity—unconquered, undefeated, and unassailable. To the singer, Indra gives ancient wealth, creating prayers that bring increase to himself. He inspires the sacrificer and stands as witness in every contest. The gods themselves have called him Indra; all creatures of heaven, earth, and waters know his name. He has yoked the two swift, strong bays and given the thunderbolt to the mighty. With his might, Indra destroyed Atka for the sage and aided Kutsa with his power. He is the smiter of Śuṣṇa and the restrainer of Vadhryaśva, who refused to grant the Aryan name to the Dasyu. Like a father to his son, Indra aided Vetasu in his wish, subdued Tugra for Kutsa and Smadibha, and inspired the sacrificer and king, winning contests for those who do not withhold the beloved. He subdued Mṛgaya for Śrutarvan, answering his skilled plea, humbled Vesha, and subdued Paḍgṛbhi for Savyā. Like the slayer of Vṛtra, Indra destroyed the Dāsa named Navavāstva and Bṛhadratha; when one sought to exalt himself among men, Indra cast him far beyond the shining expanse of the sky. Indra moves around the sun with swift horses, carried by the impelling ones. When men press the Soma and call to him, he brings down the Dāsa to be struck and subdued. He is the sevenfold Nahusha, most powerful among them; with might, he made Turvasha and Yadu proclaim his greatness, subdued another mighty one, and overcame ninety-nine of the arrogant. As a bull, Indra held back the seven flowing streams upon their courses on earth. Wise in action, he crosses the waters, seeking the path for Manu’s descendants with knowledge. He supported those streams when even Tvaṣṭṛ could not uphold them, revealing the precious milk of cows, the sweet honey, and the pure, pressed Soma. Thus, Indra, bountiful and true in his gifts, has excelled among men by his heroic deeds. All, O Harivaḥ, full of power, praise his glory with their own strength. To Indra, the mighty one who delights in offerings, to Viśvānarā, the all-encompassing, songs are raised. His great strength and fame, his heroic power, are honored by earth and heaven. He alone, praised by noble friendship, is the helper of men, delighted in all tasks, contests, and battles. Who are those who seek Indra’s favor, desiring his benevolence and prosperity? Who strive for his strength and lordship, seeking him in the waters, in riches, and in manly vigor? Indra is great through prayer, worthy of worship in all sacrifices, foremost among gatherings, and his counsel supreme among all peoples. Let the greater, the sacrificers, protect us, for all peoples know Indra’s vast measure. He is ageless and ever-growing, and all libations are prepared for him. The vessel is set, the rite established, the hymn and prayer exalted for his favor. Priests who compose hymns for him at the pressing, with minds set on his favor, follow the path to the joy of the pressed Soma. Now, the focus turns to Agni, the divine fire. There was a great, ancient embryo by which Agni entered the waters. Agni, Jātavedas, alone among the gods, saw all forms of his own body in many ways. Who has seen Agni, who has beheld his forms? Where do Mitra and Varuṇa dwell? Where are the kindling fires of Agni, the divine? Agni is seen in many forms, entering the waters and plants. Yama, of wondrous radiance, recognized Agni, shining beyond the ten regions. Fearing Varuṇa, Agni withdrew from priesthood, not united with the gods there. His forms are established in many places, yet he did not understand this purpose. Manu is called to lead Agni from darkness by the right path, to make the ways easy for the gods and bring the offerings with a kindly mind. Agni’s earlier brothers pursued this purpose, like charioteers on a path. Out of fear of Varuṇa, Agni has come far away, like one who is not the swiftest among those who are not victorious. Agni’s life is made ageless so that, harnessed and knowing all births, he does not perish. With goodwill, he carries the portion of the offering, well-born for the gods. Agni is asked to grant the portions of the offerings, both preliminary and concluding, full of strength—ghee, the essence of waters and plants, and wishes for long life from the gods. Let Agni’s offerings be strong, and may the entire sacrifice be his, with all four directions bowing to him. All the gods are called to instruct as the chosen Hotar sits for the rite, to tell the rightful share so that the oblation may be carried by the approved path. The Hotar takes his seat for the sacrifice, supported by all the gods and Maruts. Day by day, the Aśvins’ priest becomes the offerer, making offerings to them. Whoever the Hotar is, he is brought to Yama; pondering what the gods approve, he is born day by day, month by month, as the gods have established the carrier of the oblation. Thus, through the voices of Indra and Agni, the story of divine strength, generosity, guidance, and sacrifice unfolds—celebrated in hymns, honored in offerings, and remembered in the hearts of those who seek the gods’ favor.