The sages and worshippers gathered, their minds and voices united in devotion, called out to Indra, the mighty slayer of Vṛtra. From afar, they invoked him to yoke his two bay steeds and come swiftly, generous and strong, to partake of the Soma they had prepared. Today, they said, their offerings have filled him with strength and delight, and they asked that he listen to their praise and approach his own kin with favor. As the dawn appeared—radiant, the shining daughter of heaven—she gazed upon the great waters and, with her beauty, transformed darkness into light. The dawns themselves seemed to call upon the Aśvins, those powerful twin gods who journey from clan to clan, bringing help wherever they are invoked. The worshippers, too, called out to the Aśvins, wondering who, among gods or mortals, is struck by their might, and who, guided by them, passes unharmed through the night. For the Aśvins, the sweetest Soma was pressed in the presence of the dawns, and the worshippers invited them to drink beyond the day, hoping for treasures in return. Always seeking their favor, the devotees implored for the draught of Soma, confident that the Aśvins never failed those who offered with devotion—who would not seek such lords’ favor? The Adhvaryu, the priest, was urged to press out the Soma, for Indra thirsted. Now, the mighty one had indeed yoked his two bay steeds and drawn near, the slayer of Vṛtra coming to accept their offerings. Indra, ever the strongest among the lesser, had become renowned in every contest, always worthy of the offerings given in battle and ritual. The worshippers prayed that, just as Indra wielded power, so might they gain mastery. They asked for his favor, that he might grant them wealth and never misfortune. In every battle, Indra surpassed all rivals, destroying curses, conquering obstacles, and overcoming the hostile and defiant. None who aspired to surpass the seat of heaven had ever outstripped Indra in all the realms of earth—he embraced all within his might. The Soma, freshly pressed and roaring, was poured out for the god. At his very birth, Indra had declared his awareness of the sacrifices offered to him, and the worshippers hoped to know him through their hymns and the joy of Soma. Indra’s place was established in their homes, his yoke set by men; they called him, their much-invoked protector, to grant them wealth and rejoice in the Soma. They remembered how Indra shattered the enclosures, opened the channels, and released the bound rivers; how he split the great mountain and struck down the Dānavas, letting the streams flow forth. With Soma pressed, they praised Indra, seeking prosperity through his strength, so that, with his help, they might prevail by their own might. Grasping Indra’s right hand in longing for wealth, they called him lord of riches and herdsman, hoping he would grant them splendid cattle and treasures. Men everywhere invoked Indra with their offerings, yoking their thoughts to the ritual and seeking strength and fame—may he share with them the cattle-rich prize. Even the swift-winged birds and the dear-minded seers approached Indra, unfailing in their devotion, asking him to drive away darkness, grant sight, and release them from hidden bonds. In the sky, as the golden-winged bird flies, the wise saw Indra with the heart—he, the messenger of Varuṇa, the bird of Yama’s realm, swift and radiant. From the very beginning, Brahman was born—the first, before all things. From it, the radiant seer spread forth, its foundations deep, the womb of what is and what is not. For Indra, the great, heroic, and strong, the wide-seeing wielder of the bolt, the most abundant gifts were fashioned and the most peaceful words composed. A black drop, shining, stood upon the bright one, moving with ten thousand. By his power, Indra turned it back, and skillful men removed the stain. All the gods, seeking to aid Indra against Vṛtra’s breath, became his allies. Indra and the Maruts together conquered all battles. The marvels of the gods were seen: a young man, surrounded by his peers, grew gray and kept watch; his greatness endured, though yesterday, one just like him had passed away. From his birth, Indra became the enemy of enemies, hidden by heaven and earth, yet finding his way among the mighty worlds and setting battle among the abundant beings. Like a steadfast pillar, Indra stood powerful and strong, invoked by the eager, the generous, and the worshippers—he, the destroyer of Vṛtra, the radiant bull. The people were urged to offer praise to the great and wise one, to bring forth goodwill and advance together toward the ancient hosts. In every contest and battle, they called upon Indra, the generous, hoping he would strike down their foes and win the wealth. Hymns rose for his glory; Vasiṣṭha, the sage, magnified Indra in the assembly, celebrating his fame and readiness to listen to praise. When Indra’s wheel was set in the waters, sweet drink covered it on earth; whatever milk was pressed out, he distributed among cows and plants. The worshippers called for Tārkṣya, the mighty, swift charioteer whose wheel is unbroken, to bring them victory and well-being. Again and again, they invoked Indra—the protector, the helper, the well-invoked, the mighty, the generous—praying that their offerings might reach him. They worshipped Indra, whose right hand wields the thunderbolt, who rides the chariot drawn by bay steeds, whose beard shakes upward, who comes with his fearless hosts, bestowing gifts. Indra, the slayer of foes, strong and mighty, the boundless bull with the good thunderbolt, the destroyer of Vṛtra, the winner of prizes, the giver of gifts, the truly bountiful—he was the one to whom the worshippers turned. Whoever, mortal or immortal, opposed them, whether a host, strong, swift, or cunning, they prayed to overcome with Indra’s help, relying on his strength. He was the one people called upon in battles and contests, whom the brave invoked in struggle, whom priests called at the pressing of the waters for strength—Indra, the mighty. Alongside Parvatī, Indra was invoked to come with his great chariot, bringing riches, accepting offerings, and rejoicing in the songs of praise. For Indra, the songs flowed unrestrained, as he set the waters in motion from the ocean’s depths and upheld earth and sky on every side with his powers. His friends chose him for friendship; he had crossed many wide seas. As a descendant of the Father, may the wise one place him in this dwelling, shining far and wide.