The ancient, purifying force—celebrated since time immemorial in song—has been adorned by inspired thoughts, each bearing the names of the gods. In our devotion, we honor you, Agni, as one would guide a powerful horse with strong reins, offering reverence to you, sovereign of the sacred rituals. May we call as our own that mighty son, far-reaching, gracious, and ever-generous, so that he may always shield us from harm—protecting us from dangers near and far, mortal and evil alike, for the sake of all our lives. Indra, in battles, you outshine all adversaries. You are the destroyer of curses, the creator, the slayer of Vṛtra, the conqueror of every assailant. The very earths follow your overwhelming might as mothers follow their child. When you, Indra, in your wrath, vanquished Vṛtra, you shattered all your foes. The sacrifice itself turned back the hostile ones, forming a protective covering in the sky. In the intoxication of Soma, Indra, you split the midspace—the very expanse of heaven—striking down the enclosure. From the Angirases, she rose up, revealing herself from hidden places; once concealed, she now drove away the covering. That mighty one, victorious in the assembly, is to be invoked in every song, that he may be stirred to grant us his aid. The fighter—ever unconquered, drinker of Soma, unshaken and steadfast—stands with unfailing resolve. Indra, grant us wealth and abundance, and protect us in our contests for riches. Your great power, skill, and wisdom, O Indra, sharpen the desirable thunderbolt in the mind. The sky proclaims your manliness, the earth your fame; the waters and mountains themselves urge you on. Vishnu of vast abode, Mitra, and Varuna all praise you, and the host of Maruts exults in your strength. To you, Agni, peoples sing praise for strength; may you remain unconquered and destroy the foe. For our desire of cattle, Agni, seek out wealth for us—make it wide and abundant. Do not, in your generosity, carry us away to another’s share; as you win together, so win wealth for us. To the wrath of the mighty one, all peoples bow, just as rivers flow to the ocean. With your powerful, hundred-jointed thunderbolt, you split the head of Vritra, the one who resisted. Your strength and brilliance, Indra, brought together both worlds as if gathering them in a hide. She, gracious, wealthy, and delighting, is the good daughter. Come, mighty one, with your two beautiful, well-matched bay steeds yoked to the pole—let them draw near. With heads lowered, they stand in the midst of the waters; with ten horns, they point in every direction. The eighth and its second half run forth, each to its own; the pourers hasten to the Soma for the hero, the mighty one, to offer the intoxicating drink. Here, let the two bay steeds, yoked by prayer, swiftly bring Indra—the friend, the singer to be praised with hymns. The slayer of Vṛtra, rich in offerings, has drunk deeply; come, do not restrain him from us, he who is abundant in might. To you the drops approach, Indra, as rivers flow to the ocean; no one surpasses you. You have revealed your greatness, O mighty one, awakened for the draught of Soma, which fills your bellies. May the Soma, O Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, be pleasing to you; may the drops bring delight to your abodes. Awaken with age, and understand this, you who are to be praised by every clan—the hymn for the worshipful Rudra. May that great, unshakable, smoke-bannered, forward-shining one—Agni—impel us to wisdom and strength. May that divine sign, lord of the people, like a benefactor, listen to our hymns—Agni of great radiance. Let us sing for you at the pressing, along with the much-invoked, for strength and for auspiciousness, as one would for the generous and for the cow. Truly, the good one does not withhold the gift of wealth rich in cattle when songs reach him. May he, the destroyer of foes, perhaps go forth to the cattle-rich enclosure; with his powers, may he not keep us away. Vishnu has made three great strides; he has set down his footstep three times, encompassing all in the dust. Vishnu the guardian, unassailable, has made his three strides, and from there upholds the laws. Behold the deeds of Vishnu, from where his sacred laws are made manifest—he, the dear companion of Indra. That highest step of Vishnu the wise always behold, shining like an eye extended in the sky.