Indra, the mighty lord of battle, stands above all rivals. No curse, no obstacle, no defiant force can withstand his power; he conquers all who oppose him. Even those who, with all their strength, have aspired to surpass the seat of heaven have failed—for none have outstripped Indra in the realms of earth; his embrace encompasses all. When Soma is pressed and poured out, roaring for the god, Indra is honored. At his very birth, he declared, "We are aware of you, O swift one, through sacrifices—may we know you through hymns and the joy of Soma." His seat is established in every home, his yoke set by men; invoked by many, Indra comes as protector, granting wealth and delighting in the Soma offerings. Indra shattered the enclosures, opened the channels, and released the bound rivers. He split the great mountain, and when he struck down the Dānavas, the streams flowed forth, nourishing the land. In gratitude, those who press Soma praise Indra, seeking prosperity and riches, so that with his help and their own strength, they may prevail. Grasping Indra’s right hand, people desire wealth, for he is the lord of riches and treasures, the herdsman among heroes. They pray for splendid, mighty wealth among cattle. Men invoke Indra with their offerings, yoking their thoughts to the ritual, seeking strength, fame, and the cattle-rich prize. Swift-winged birds and dear-minded seers approach Indra, never failing. They beseech him to drive away darkness, grant sight, and release them as one unbinds the bound from a hidden place. In the sky, as the golden-winged bird flies, the wise perceive Indra with their hearts—a messenger of Varuṇa, with golden wings, the bird of Yama’s realm, the swift one. Brahman was born first, before all, and from it the radiant seer spread forth. Its foundations lie deep, its measures are the womb of all that is and is not. For Indra, unprecedented and abundant gifts have been fashioned—the great, heroic, strong, wide-seeing wielder of the bolt. For him, the steadfast, peaceful words have been composed. The black drop, shining, stood on the bright one, moving with ten thousand. Indra, by his power, turned it back, and the men, by their skill, removed the stain. All the gods, seeking to aid Indra against Vṛtra’s breath, became his allies. Indra, with the Maruts as companions, conquers all battles. See the marvel of the god: a young man, surrounded by his peers, grows gray and keeps watch; his greatness endures, yet yesterday, one just like him passed away. From birth, Indra became an enemy to the enemies, hidden by heaven and earth. He found his way among the mighty worlds and set battle among the abundant beings. Like a pillar, Indra stands steadfast and powerful. Invoked by the eager, the generous, and the worshippers, he is the destroyer of Vṛtra, the radiant bull. People are urged to praise the great, wise, and ever-increasing Indra, to bring forth goodwill and advance as leaders to the ancient hosts. In battle, Indra is called upon—the best among men for the prize. Fierce and attentive, he strikes down foes in contests and wins wealth. Hymns rise up for his glory; Vasiṣṭha magnifies Indra in the assembly, who has spread his fame everywhere and listens eagerly for praise. When Indra’s wheel is set in the waters, sweet drink covers it on earth. Whatever milk is pressed out, he places it among cows and plants. The mighty, prize-winning, god-driven, swiftest of charioteers, Tārkṣya, whose wheel is unbroken and born in battle, is invoked for welfare. Indra is called protector, helper, well-invoked at every call, mighty and generous, possessor of wealth. Offerings are made to him, whose right hand wields the thunderbolt, riding the chariot drawn by bay steeds. Let his beard shake upwards as he comes with his hosts, fearless and bestowing gifts. Indra, the slayer of foes, strong, mighty, boundless, the bull with the good thunderbolt, destroyer of Vṛtra, winner of the prize, giver of gifts, generous and truly bountiful, is invoked to help overcome any who oppose—whether mortal or non-mortal, host, strong, swift, or cunning. With Indra’s help, relying on his strength, all battles can be won. He is the one people call upon in battles and contests, the brave invoke in struggle, and priests call upon at the pressing of waters for strength—this is Indra. With Parvatī, Indra comes with his great chariot, bringing riches, accepting offerings, growing with songs, rejoicing in praise. For Indra, songs unrestrained in creation have flowed. He set the waters in motion from the ocean’s depth, and with his powers, upheld earth and sky on every side. Indra’s friends have chosen him for friendship; he has crossed many wide seas. May the wise place him in this dwelling, shining far and wide. Who today will yoke the cows of truth to the yoke, swift, shining, hard to restrain? Among them, the bringer of joy carries the waters, fulfilling their service and granting life. The singers of the Gāyatrī chant Indra in the fourth and second parts; the singers of the Arkā hymn him with the Arkā. The priests, hundred-powered, raise him up like a banner. All hymns magnify Indra, who encompasses the oceans, the foremost charioteer, lord of strength, true master, protector. He is invited to drink the pressed Soma, the greatest, immortal exhilaration. Bright streams of truth have flowed for him at the seat of order. Whatever splendid gift, O Indra, is not here, not yet given, may that favor be granted; bring both kinds of wealth. Hear the call, O Indra, from afar, from those who worship you. Fulfill the desire for heroic sons and abundant wealth, for you are great. Soma has been pressed for Indra, most mighty and bold. Let his power be filled, as the sun fills the sky with its rays. Indra, come with your bays to the praise of Kanva; at the command of heaven, come to the heavenly dwelling, O lord of the day. To Indra, hymns have come, O lover of song, as charioteers to the races; they gather around him, as cows around a calf. Let us now praise Indra, the pure, with pure song and pure hymns, who has grown strong with pure praises. May he rejoice in our pure offerings.