In the ancient times, from those who first walked the earth, the foot of Indra and Agni was born. They cast aside the head, seizing their purpose with the tongue, and, in thirty strides through the night, advanced upon their path. Indra, you are called to draw near, to approach with thoughts of friendship and with generous aid. Come bearing your most auspicious blessings, empowered by your own might, for it is with your power that we seek your presence. From this place, let your support be ageless, leading us at the forefront—unopposed and swift in conquest, ever driving us onward like a tireless charioteer, increasing the strength of Tugra. May your worshippers never be turned away, nor others depart from us; whether you are far or near, do not withdraw—come, listen to us if you are close. Let Soma be pressed for you, Indra, the thunderbolt-wielder, the drinker of Soma. May the offerings be cooked for your help, the food prepared to bring delight and joy. You are the universal helper, the wise one, and so we call upon you, Indra of a thousand powers, mighty lord of the good—be our strength in battle. With your power, grant us always the best directions, day and night. May your favor never leave us, and may we never know misfortune, at any time. Whenever the mortal singer grows old in your service, let him praise Varuṇa with wise speech, for Varuṇa upholds even those who have turned away. Indra, protector of cows and the exhilarating drink, honored guest at the sacred feast, united with your two bay steeds, golden one who wields the thunderbolt, keep safe what is precious. Hear both our words, Indra, and come near to this speech; you, generous and eager for Soma, let your wisdom guide you to the pressing. For you, O stone-splitter, nothing is withheld for a distant price—neither a thousand, nor ten thousand, nor a hundred. You, thunderer, are the bestower of hundreds. You are the wealth of my father, and also of my brother who partakes; my mother too you shelter, O treasure-lord, for the sake of wealth and favor. The Somas pressed here, the fourth and first portions, are for you, Indra, mixed with curds and clarified butter—come for that exhilaration, O thunder-handed, to drink with your two bays, come home. These Somas are for your delight, renowned and praised, Indra; having drunk their sweetness, hear our songs and accept our praise, you who love the singer. Today I call to you, Indra, the ever-yielding cow, the Gayatri-metered, abundant in nourishment, adorned and ready for food. No great rocks can restrain your might, Indra; whatever you desire for the praiser, no one can diminish your wealth. Who knows with what pressed Soma you drink, Indra, whom the wise have set forth? You, delighting, shatter forts with your might, sharp and exhilarated by the drink. Shake off lawlessness from the assembly, Indra; seat our most desired Soma, generous one, for the sake of wealth, upon the sacred grass. May Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine speech, Parjanya, and Bṛhaspati protect us; may Aditi with her sons and brothers guard us, saving us from harmful and difficult speech. When, Indra, will you be our companion, standing with the worshipper? Let the generous one come near, and your gifts, O god, be sought once more. Yoke your two bays, O slayer of Vṛtra, Indra; from afar, come near for the drinking of Soma, mighty one, come with the singers. Today, these men have filled you, O thunderer, with their offerings; Indra, bearer of praise, listen here—come to your own sister with favor. Now the dawn has appeared, the shining daughter of heaven. With her gaze, she chooses the great waters, turning darkness into light. These dawns in heaven call to you, O Aśvins; I too call for your help, lords of power, who journey from clan to clan. Who, O Aśvins, is afflicted—what god or mortal do you strike with your might, and who, guided by you, passes the night unharmed? This, your sweetest Soma, pressed among the dawns, O Aśvins, drink it beyond the day and bestow treasures upon the worshipper. Ever seeking, I implore you for the draught of Soma—like a bowstring for the arrow, or a beast for the hunt, you have never failed in offerings; who would not seek the Lord’s favor? O Adhvaryu, press out the Soma, for Indra thirsts; now indeed the mighty one has yoked his two bay steeds, and the slayer of Vṛtra has come near. You have always been the stronger, Indra, among the lesser; generous one, you are renowned in every contest, and in every battle you are worthy of the offering. As far as your power extends, Indra, may my mastery reach; you bestow favor on the singer, granting wealth and never misfortune. In battles, Indra, you surpass all rivals—destroyer of curses, creator, conqueror of obstacles, you overcome the hostile and the defiant. He who, with strength, sought to surpass the seat of heaven—none has outstripped you, Indra, in the realms of earth; you have embraced all. The pressed Soma, roaring, has been poured for the god; at your birth, Indra, you declared: “We are aware of you, O swift one, through sacrifices—may we know you through hymns and the joy of Soma.” Your seat has been established in the home, your yoke set by men; much-invoked one, come as our protector, grant us wealth, and be delighted with the Somas. You shattered the enclosure, Indra, opened the channels, released the bound rivers; you split the great mountain, and when you struck down the Dānavas, the streams flowed forth. Having pressed Soma, we praise you, Indra, and, strong in your might, we seek riches. Bring us prosperity, so that with your help, by our own strength, we may prevail. We have grasped your right hand, Indra, desiring wealth—O lord of riches, lord of treasures; for we know you as the herdsman, O hero, grant us splendid, mighty wealth among cattle. Men invoke you, Indra, with their offerings, yoking their thoughts to the ritual; O hero, bestower of strength, grant us fame and share with us the cattle-rich prize. The swift-winged birds, the dear-minded seers, have approached you, Indra, never failing; drive away the darkness, grant us sight, release us as one unbinds the bound from a hidden place. In the sky, as the golden-winged bird flies, the wise have seen you with their hearts—messenger of Varuṇa, with golden wings, the bird of Yama’s realm, the swift one.