Indra, the generous and true in his gifts, has excelled among men through his heroic deeds. The mighty Harivaḥ, full of strength, are praised by all who honor his glory with their own vigor. To this mighty one who delights in offerings, to Viśvānarā, the all-encompassing, the people raise their songs—to Indra, whose great strength and fame are honored by both earth and heaven. Indra alone, celebrated for his noble friendship, stands as the helper of men. In every task, in every contest for prize, in every battle, this strong hero is delighted to lend his aid. Many seek Indra’s favor, desiring his benevolence and prosperity. They strive for his strength and lordship, searching for him in the waters, in the best of riches, and in manly vigor. Indra’s greatness is revealed through prayer; he is worthy of worship in all sacrifices and is foremost among all gatherings. His counsel is supreme among the peoples. Let the greater ones, the sacrificers, protect us, for all people know Indra’s vast measure—he is ageless, ever-growing, and all these libations are prepared for him. All the offerings are made ready for Indra, the son of strength, for he himself has accepted them. The vessel is set, the rite is established, and the hymn and prayer, the exalted speech, are offered for his favor. Wise priests, composing hymns at the pressing and seeking wealth, with minds set on Indra’s favor, follow the path to the joy of the pressed Soma. In those ancient times, there was a great, primordial embryo, by which Agni entered the waters. Agni, Jātavedas, alone among the gods, saw all forms of his own body in many ways. He ponders: “Who has seen me, which god is he, who has beheld my forms in many ways? Where do Mitra and Varuṇa dwell, and where are all the kindling fires of Agni, the divine?” The answer comes: “We have seen you, Jātavedas, in many forms, entering the waters and the plants. Yama, of wondrous radiance, recognized you, shining beyond the ten regions.” Fearing Varuṇa, Agni withdrew from the priesthood, for the gods did not unite him there. His forms are established in many places, yet he did not understand this purpose. Manu, desiring the sacrifice, is called to lead Agni, the godly one, from darkness by the right path, making the ways easy for the gods and bringing the offerings with a kindly mind. The earlier brothers of Agni pursued this purpose, like charioteers following the path; therefore, out of fear of Varuṇa, Agni has come far away, like one who is not the swiftest among those who are not victorious. Yet, the people make Agni’s life ageless, so that, harnessed as the Knower of all births, he does not perish. Well-disposed, he carries the portion of the offering, well-born for the gods. The portions of the offerings, both preliminary and concluding, full of strength, are sought; let there be ghee, the essence of waters and plants, and may the gods grant Agni long life. May Agni’s preliminary and concluding offerings be portions of the oblation, full of strength; may the entire sacrifice be his, and may all four directions bow to him. All the gods instruct the Hotar as he sits for the rite, telling him his rightful share, so that by the approved path, he may carry their oblation. The Hotar takes his seat for the sacrifice, supported by all the gods and the Maruts. Day by day, O Aśvins, your priest becomes the offerer, and the offering is made to you. Whoever the Hotar is, he is brought to Yama; whatever the gods approve, he ponders. Day by day, month by month, he is born anew, as the gods have established the carrier of the oblation. The gods have established the Hotar, unwearied, moving through many hardships. Agni, the knower, arranges the sacrifice—fivefold, threefold, with seven threads. The Hotar seeks to obtain for the gods immortality and heroic strength, to make a wide path for them, placing Indra’s thunderbolt in their arms so that with it they may win all battles. Three hundred and three thousand gods, and thirty-nine more, worshipped Agni; they anointed him with ghee, spread the sacred grass, and seated him as the Hotar. He whom the people desired in their minds has come—wise in sacrifice, skilled in the rite. May he, most worthy of worship, grant divine favor, for he who is present is never distant. Let the Hotar, most worthy of worship, take his seat; let the well-prepared offerings be made known; let the worshipful gods be honored with clarified butter. Today, the gods have made the invocation successful; the tongue of the sacrifice, the hidden one, has been found. He has come, bearing life, clothed in fragrance, making the invocation auspicious. Today, let the first word be uttered, by which the gods overcame the Asuras. Nourished by strength, the worshipful ones—the five peoples—accept the offering. Let the five peoples accept the offering—those born of cows and those who are worshipful. May the earth protect from earthly harm, and the midspace and heaven from what is above. The thread is woven, following the radiance of the sky; the luminous paths made by thought are guarded. The waters spin without breaking, protecting, and, like Manu, generate the divine race. The Soma-rich ones are called to unhitch the yoke, loosen the straps, untie the reins and smooth them out; the eight-wheeled chariot is carried all around, by which the gods brought their beloved near. The stony one moves forward; the people are called to join together, arise, and cross over. Here, those who were not helpful are left behind, and with the auspicious ones, they cross to greater prizes. Tvaṣṭar, knowing the arts and deepest wisdom, bears vessels for the gods’ drink. He sharpens the iron axe by which Brahmanaspati cleaves obstacles. The wise join together with axes, by which immortality was fashioned. Knowing the secret steps, they create, and by these means, the gods attained deathlessness. The calf is placed within the womb of the cow, with subtle mind and tongue. He, ever benevolent, approaches all fitting things, the singer striving for victory. The fame of Maghavan—Indra—in greatness is remembered, when the trembling earth and sky called upon him. He led the gods and surpassed the strength of the Dasa, aiding the offspring of that one. When Indra acted, growing in body and strength, declaring his power among people, let not those battles be called illusions; today, the enemy is not as before, to be tested. Who, then, has reached the limit of Indra’s greatness? Which of the forebears? When Indra created both mother and father together, from his own body. Four names of his lordship are found in the buffalo—these Indra alone knows, and by these deeds, he accomplished his works. Indra holds all things, visible and hidden treasures. Let him not cross the desires of those who praise him, for he is the knower and the giver. He who placed light within light, who produced sweetness with honey—may this praise, made with sacred utterance, be spoken aloud for Indra, the mighty one.