When Indra, with his unmatched strength and brilliance, gathered together both worlds as one might draw a hide taut, his power shone forth in all directions. Amidst this cosmic order, there is one who is gracious and wealthy, a source of delight—the good daughter, radiant and generous. Now, let us call upon the mighty one himself. Indra, approach with your two beautiful, well-matched bay steeds yoked to your chariot’s pole—let them draw near to us. These noble steeds, their heads lowered, stand amidst the waters; each with ten horns, they point in every direction, ever ready for the journey. The cycles of time move swiftly: the eighth and the second half rush forth along their appointed paths, while the pourers hasten to offer Soma to the hero, the mighty Indra, for whom the intoxicating drink is prepared. Here, let the two bay steeds, yoked through prayer, swiftly bring Indra, the friend, the singer to be praised with hymns. The slayer of Vṛtra, rich in offerings, has drunk deeply. Let him not be withheld from us—he who is abundant in might. To you, Indra, the drops of Soma approach, just as rivers flow to the ocean; no one can surpass you. You have revealed your greatness, O mighty one, awakening for the draught of Soma, filling your very being. May the Soma, O Indra, slayer of Vṛtra, bring you pleasure within; may the drops be sweet for your abodes. Awaken, O ancient one, and understand this—O you who are to be praised by every clan—the hymn for the worshipful Rudra. May that great, unshakable, smoke-bannered, forward-shining one inspire us to wisdom and strength. May that divine sign, lord of the people, like a benefactor, listen to us as we sing—Agni of great radiance. Let us sing for you at the pressing, together with the much-invoked, for strength and auspiciousness, as one would for the generous cow. Indeed, the good one never withholds the gift of wealth rich in cattle when the songs reach him. May he, the destroyer of foes, go forth to the cattle-rich enclosure; with his powers, may he never keep us away. Viṣṇu, too, has made his three great strides, setting down his footstep three times and encompassing all within the dust of the earth. Viṣṇu, the unassailable guardian, by these strides upholds the laws of the cosmos. Behold the deeds of Viṣṇu, from where his sacred laws are made manifest—he, Indra’s dear companion. That highest step of Viṣṇu the wise ever behold, like an all-seeing eye extended in the sky. Inspired poets, ever awake, kindle together the fire of that highest step of Viṣṇu. From there, may the gods protect us—from the place where Viṣṇu has made his strides, upon the ridge of the earth. Let neither you nor the sacrificer be angry with us; whether far or near, come to this gathering and listen to our prayers. For these, made by your prayer at the pressing, the singers, desiring wealth, sit like bees at honey, O Indra; they have placed their foot upon the chariot, eager for your blessings. I have praised the ancient hymn; let it be spoken forth to Brahman and Indra. The great verses of truth have followed, and the thoughts of the singer have flowed forth like a river. Indra has shaken forth great wealth; together, the earth, the sun, the shining and pure ones, the givers of cows, and the Soma juices have all rejoiced in Indra’s delight. Soma is poured out for Indra to drink—for the slayer of Vṛtra, the man of skill, the generous one, the god who sits in his seat. May we, your friends, O widely-shining one, and you, O wise ones, attain the fragrance of strength; may we gain the wealth of vigor. They purify that tawny, bay-colored steed with water—the one who, filled with intoxication, goes forth to all the gods. What mortal, O Indra of abundant wealth, can overcome you? Indeed, O bountiful one, with faith, the strong seek strength in the highest heaven. Urge us onward, O generous one, in the slaying of Vṛtra; with your guidance, O Indra of the bay steeds, may we, the wise, cross over all difficulties. Pour out the exhilarating, honeyed Soma, O Adhvaryu, from the vessel; for thus the ever-growing hero is praised. Indra, charioteer of the bays, you never abandon ancient praise; you have risen up with your might, not to be restrained. We call upon him, the lord of strength, so that he may be increased by the wise, by those who do not fail. With song, the gods have established that radiant, undeceivable god as the bringer of offerings among the gods. Desiring abundant gifts, O inspired one, praise Agni of brilliant flame, the charioteer, for wisdom, for Soma, for the shining sacrifice, for the ancient rite. Soma, pressed by the stones, flows over unbroken barriers; like a man in a city, the tawny one has taken his seat in the woods. He has cleansed himself, passing beyond the lesser ones, like a victorious charioteer longing for strength—the flowing Soma, ever to be praised by the wise and the singers. Today, we have filled up this mighty, weaponed one; therefore, at the pressing, bring the pressed Soma for him—now adorn it for the renowned one. Even the wolf, as his protector, adorns himself in the paths; may he, delighting in this praise, come here, O Indra, with the most splendid thought.