May Agni, the sacred fire, when invoked, bring us auspiciousness in all things—may the gifts we offer, the sacrifices we perform, and the hymns we sing all be blessed. Among all the gods, we choose you, Agni, as the most worthy recipient of our offerings, the immortal priest, wise and discerning in every rite. O Agni, bestow upon us that glory by which you overcome every hostile intent in the assembly and quell the anger of the people. Whenever the lord of the people, sharp and well-pleased, protects his folk, then you, Agni, drive away all the demons and keep us safe. Having offered the share due to Agni, we now turn to Indra. Let us sing together at the pressing of the Soma, invoking the much-invoked one for strength and blessing, just as we revere the cow that gives milk. O Indra, wielder of a hundred powers, may I be gladdened again and again by your most exhilarating draught. The cows, adorned with golden ears and filled with the sap of sacrifice, have come to the watering place. Let us sing for the swift horse, the renowned stallion, the generous cow, and for the very abode of Indra. We urge mighty Indra to battle, to slay the great foe, and may he stand as the bull among bulls. Indra, you have drawn strength from strength, born of might; ever a bull, you remain steadfast in your power. The sacrifice has been set forth, its smoke rising heavenward. O Indra, as I am, so may you be; may I alone possess the wealth, and may my praiser be a friend of cows. Let every praiser hasten here, one after another, for the intoxicating Soma, for the hero, for the champion. Drink, O benefactor, this pressed Soma from the brimming vessel; may no harm befall you here. The glorious bull, renowned for his gifts, rises up; and you, O Sun, proceed to your appointed place. Whatever today, O slayer of Vṛtra, you have brought forth with the Sun, all that is under your control, O Indra. May Indra, who wisely brought Turvasha and Yadu from afar, be our youthful friend. Let not any direction be hostile to us, O Indra; with you as our ally, may we triumph in today’s light. Indra, bring us abundant, ever-victorious, and most generous wealth for our prosperity. We call upon mighty Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, for great riches, in youth and in battle against our foes. Indra of a thousand arms drank the pressed Soma of the Kadruvas, and there he attained his manly strength. We, your worshippers, praise you, O Indra; mighty one, know us as yours, O generous lord. Those who kindle the fire and spread the sacred grass—Indra is their youthful friend. Shatter all our haters, drive away obstacles, strike down the foes; bring us that desirable wealth. Listen to the crack of whips as the splendid team is adorned and driven forth. These friends, offering Soma, look upon you, Indra, as nourishing as cattle are to their owner. Before the wrath of the mighty one, all peoples bow, as rivers flow into the ocean. We seek the greatness of the gods for our aid, that strength may come to us. O Brahmanaspati, let the sound of the Somas resound, as Kakṣīvant, the son of Uśij, once did. May the slayer of Vṛtra, ever mindful, be present for us; may Śakra hear our prayer and grant abundant aid. Today, O divine Savitar, grant us offspring and good fortune; drive away evil dreams. Where is his youthful, unyielding bull with the mighty neck? Who, as priest, worships him? At the foot of the mountains, where rivers meet, the inspired sage was born through the power of thought. Let us praise Indra, king of peoples, subduer of men, the most mighty, with new songs. The second half of the second verse is dedicated to Indra, the swift drinker of Soma, the skillful, the mighty, the barley-bearded. To you, O possessor of many treasures, these songs are sent forth, like cows to their calf, O Indra. Here, they have followed the name of the cow, the hidden one of Tvaṣṭṛ, thus, in the house of the moon. When Indra, unhonored, led forth the great, most powerful waters, Pūṣan became his companion. The cow, famed among the Maruts, the mother of the generous, is yoked as the fire to the chariots. Come to us with your bay steeds, Lord of delights; come to us with your bays to the pressed Soma.