Awaken now to wisdom, O venerable one, praised by all the clans! Let your understanding rise with age, and attend to this hymn—an offering to the worshipful Rudra. May that mighty, steadfast one, whose banner is smoke and whose brilliance leads ever forward, inspire us with wisdom and strength. To Agni, the divine sign and lord of the people, radiant benefactor, we lift our hymns, seeking that he, too, hears us. Together at the sacred pressing, we sing with voices joined, invoking the much-invoked for strength, for auspiciousness, as a cow is auspicious for those who are generous. The good one, when reached by our songs, withholds no wealth rich in cattle. May he, destroyer of foes, approach the cattle-filled enclosure and, with his powers, not turn us away. Now, behold the strides of Viṣṇu! Three times he has measured out his steps, setting his foot down and encompassing all the world in the dust. The unassailable guardian, Viṣṇu, upholds the laws from where he stands, his three great strides spanning the earth. Witness his deeds, for from his sacred footprints the laws shine forth—he, Indra’s dear companion. The wise always see the highest step of Viṣṇu, shining like an eye stretched across the sky. Inspired poets, ever awake, kindle together that highest place of Viṣṇu. From that lofty realm, where Viṣṇu strides upon the earth’s ridge, may the gods protect us. Let not you, nor the sacrificer, bear anger against us—come to this gathering from afar, or, if you are near, listen closely. At the pressing, O Indra, the singers—desiring wealth—sit like bees at honey, their feet upon the chariot, their prayers shaped by your power. I have praised the ancient hymn; let it be spoken to Brahman and Indra. The great verses of truth follow, the singer’s thoughts flowing forth in praise. Indra has shaken out abundant wealth; the earth, the sun, the bright and pure ones, the givers of cows, and the Soma juices have all gladdened him. Soma is poured out for Indra to drink—for the slayer of Vṛtra, the skillful, the generous, the god who sits upon his seat. May we, your friends, O radiant one, and you, O wise, attain the fragrance of strength and the wealth of vigor. They purify that tawny, bay-colored steed with water—the Soma—who, with his intoxicating power, goes to all the gods. Who among mortals, O Indra of abundant wealth, could overcome you? The strong seek strength in the highest heaven, trusting in your bounty. Urge us on, O generous Indra, in the slaying of Vṛtra; guide us, you who ride the bay steeds, that we may cross all difficulties with wisdom. Pour out the exhilarating, honeyed Soma, O Adhvaryu, for thus the ever-growing hero is praised. Indra, charioteer of the bays, you do not forsake ancient praise; you rise up with your might, unconstrained. We call upon him, the lord of strength, 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 them. 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 the unbroken barriers; like a man in a city, the tawny one has taken his seat in the woods. He cleanses himself, passing beyond the lesser ones, like a victorious charioteer longing for strength—the flowing Soma, praised by the wise and singers. Today we have filled up this mighty, weaponed one; so at the pressing, bring the Soma for him and adorn it for the renowned. Even the wolf, as his protector, adorns himself along the paths; may Indra, delighting in this praise, come to us with most splendid thought. Indra and Agni, you adorn the shining realms of heaven with strength—this is your heroic power. To you, Indra and Agni, our prayers go forth, traveling the paths of truth. Your powers are mighty, your seats and paths established, your protection assured. Who knows for whom, at the pressing, you drink together? Who placed you here—he who, with strength, shatters the forts, delighting in the sweet Soma? Like a generous beast or an elephant, you roam in many places; nothing restrains you. At the Soma pressing, you come with great force, moving mightily. He who is fierce, well-armed, steadfast, ready for battle—if the generous one hears the singer, let not Indra turn aside to the woman’s side. The pure, flowing Somas have streamed forth, O Indus, pervading all sacred works. The flowing ones have streamed from the sky, through the midspace, upon the earth’s ridge. The swift, shining streams have flowed, O Indus, destroying all hatreds. Thus, I call upon you, Indra and Agni, slayers of Vṛtra, ever victorious and unconquered, best givers of strength.