Urged by longing and reverence, the wise call upon Indra, the generous lord of the bay steeds, to guide them in the slaying of Vṛtra. They seek his strength, hoping that, by his favor, they may cross all difficulties and receive the treasures dear to those who give. As the ritual unfolds, the Adhvaryu pours out the honeyed, exhilarating Soma from the vessel, for it is through this offering that the ever-growing hero, Indra, is praised. Indra, charioteer of the bays, never abandons the ancient praises sung for him. He rises up with unconquerable might, never to be restrained. The singers and the wise call upon him, the lord of strength, so that his power may be increased by those who are steadfast and do not fail. With song, the gods themselves have established Indra, radiant and undeceivable, as the bringer of offerings among them. Desiring abundant gifts, the inspired ones turn their praises to Agni, the brilliant flame, the charioteer. They honor him for wisdom, for Soma, for the shining sacrifice, and for the ancient rite. As Soma is pressed by the stones, it flows over all barriers, and like a man finding his seat in a city, the tawny Soma takes its place in the woods. Soma, cleansed and victorious, passes beyond the lesser ones like a charioteer longing for strength. The flowing Soma, praised by the wise and singers alike, fills the mighty, weaponed one today; thus, at the pressing, the Soma is brought forth and adorned for the renowned Indra. Even the wolf, as protector, adorns himself upon the paths, delighting in praise. May Indra, pleased by these hymns, come with splendid thought. Indra and Agni together adorn the shining realms of heaven with strength; this is their heroic power. Prayers go forth to them, approaching along the paths of truth. Their powers are mighty, their seats and paths established, their protection assured. Yet, who knows for whom, at the pressing, Indra and Agni drink together? Who has placed them here—he who shatters forts with strength and delights in the sweet Soma? Like a generous beast, an elephant, they roam many places, unrestrained. At the pressing of Soma, they come with great force, moving mightily. Indra, fierce and steadfast, prepared for battle, hears the singer’s call; let him not turn aside. The pure, flowing Somas stream forth, O Indus, pervading all sacred works. The streams flow from the sky, through the midspace, upon the earth’s ridge. Swift and shining, they destroy all hatreds. Indra and Agni, slayers of Vṛtra, ever victorious and unconquered, are called upon as the best givers of strength. The singers, skilled in hymns and guidance, praise them, choosing Indra and Agni for wealth. Together, they shook down ninety forts of the Dāsa women with a single deed. Songs are sent forth to Agni, radiant in form, full of energy and power. The seekers come to his shelter as to the shade of the sun, seeking protection from the golden Agni. Like a fierce archer with sharp horns, Agni shatters the forts. They seek Viśvānar Agni, lord of truth and light, whose unceasing heat is vital for the ritual. He who spreads the sacrifice, the highest light, releases the seasons at will. In beloved abodes, Agni shines alone in splendor with his kin, fulfilling the desires of past and future. Agni, with ancient birth, has grown through the poet’s wisdom, shining with his own form. He is called upon in the sacrifice, with pure flames, a descendant of strength. May Agni, of great might, be a friend; with bright flame, let him sit upon the sacred grass with the gods. Let Agni’s powers rise, breaking the demon, driving away all opposition. With this strength, he strikes down enemies at the meeting of chariots, at the prize, protecting those who praise him with fearless hearts. None can withstand the laws of this flowing one; let him break apart those who challenge him in battle. The exhilarating, golden Soma, swift among rivers, is urged on, eager for Indra, full of desire. Indra is called to come with splendid horses adorned with peacock feathers; let none restrain him, not even the binders, as he comes like an archer to the target. Indra, destroyer of Vṛtra, breaks enclosures and shatters strongholds born of water, charioteer of the bay steeds, breaking even the firmest barriers. He fosters deep resolve like the ocean, grants rich pasture like cows, and gathers abundance as rivers flow to a lake. As a thirsty bull comes to water, so is Indra called to come to the ancestors and to the Kanvas, to drink with them. Let the pressed Somas delight Indra, the generous, for the one who offers gifts; he drank the best Soma in the bowl and took its strength. Thus, the story unfolds—a tale of praise, offering, and divine strength, where Indra and Agni are honored, the Soma flows, and the gods respond to the prayers of the wise, granting protection, victory, and abundance.