Thus, the journey begins to the forested mountain, where the path of praise is known to the great ones. O bountiful one, learn this way and direct the powers, for the Lord of strength, Indra, who desires much, is invoked. With blessings and sweet food, the radiant and wise Indra is made aware, not for want, but for strength. So, O Śakra, for wealth and vigor, O wielder of the bolt, most mighty, come—drink and rejoice, O generous one, who bestows freely upon men. Know the heroism that brings wealth; be lord of vigor, master of riches, and most generous among men, mighty among the strong. Among the bountiful, Indra shines like the sun in brightness, wise and leading us; praise him who knows. Śakra is the master of strength; we call upon the unconquered victor, asking him to scatter our haters, for he is great and true. Indra is invoked for the gaining of wealth, unconquered and victorious—may he scatter our haters again and again. For your former pressed Soma, O stone-armed one, for exhilaration, place your favor upon us, O gracious Indra. Fulfillment is praised, most mighty; truly, Śakra, you now accept this new gift. Let us speak of the hero, the slayer of Vṛtra, who moves among men, who walks among the cows as a friend, gracious and without enmity. Now, the five purīṣa-steps are taken: indeed, O Agni; indeed, O Indra; indeed, O Pūṣan; indeed, O gods. Om, indeed, O gods. These are the five purīṣa-steps. The first half of the first uttara is recited: Asita, Kāśyapa, or Devala. The Gāyatrī meter is used. Soma, the purifier, is sung to by men; the gods approach him. The Atharvāṇas come forward, bearing sweet milk for the god, for the divine one. Purify for us, bringing welfare to the cow, the people, the charioteer, the king, and the plants. Kaśyapa, son of Marīci, is invoked. Gāyatrī. Soma, the purifier, flows with flashing brilliance and resounding light—the bright Somas, cow-headed, pour forth. Urged on by the priests, the invigorator advances to the prize, like victorious men taking their seats. May Soma, having prospered, unite for our well-being, O wise one; purify yourself for the vision of the sun. A hundred Vaikhānasa-sages invoke Gāyatrī and Soma, the purifier. For you, O sage, streams of the invigorator flow forth, like swift horses seeking fame. The hymns hasten to the vessel flowing with honey, to the imperishable water. To the ocean the drops have gone, like cows to their stable; they have reached the womb of truth. Bharadvāja, son of Bṛhaspati, is invoked. Gāyatrī. Agni is called to the offering, praised, to receive the oblation; he is seated as the Hotṛ on the sacred grass. Agni, whom the Angiras kindle with kindling sticks and ghee, youngest and radiant, is praised. O god, you bring us wide renown; O great Agni, splendid heroism. Viśvāmitra, son of Gāthin, or Jamadagni, is invoked. Gāyatrī. Mitra and Varuṇa are called to pour out, with clarified butter, the abundance of cows and honey, O wise ones, to grant the realms. Wide-famed and strengthened by homage, they rule over skill with the longest, purest vows. Praising with Jamadagni, they sit in the womb of truth and drink the Soma, grown by truth. Irīmbiṭhi, son of Kāṇva, is invoked. Gāyatrī. Indra is invited to come, delighted, to drink this Soma; the sacred grass is our seat. O Indra, may your two tawny steeds, yoked by the power of prayer, bring you here; listen to our prayers. O Indra, drinker of Soma, we, the Soma-offerers, call upon you with the power of prayer when the Soma is pressed. O Indra and Agni, come with words to the pressed Soma, most excellent in the sky; protect this offering, inspired by thought. O Indra and Agni, together with the singer, the conscious sacrifice advances; with this Soma, protect us. I choose Indra and Agni, covered with wisdom and favored by the sacrifice; may they enjoy this Soma here. The Angirases have grown mighty. Soma, the purifier, has set your exhilarating birth high in heaven and on earth; grant us strong protection and great renown. For Indra, worthy of sacrifice, for Varuna, for the Maruts, let the stream flow forth, granting wide space. With this, desiring to win all the glories of men, we strive to conquer. Purifying Soma, flowing with strength, moves clothed in waters; sit in the treasure-holding womb of truth, O divine golden fountain. Milking the heavenly udder, you approach the ancient, beloved seat of sweetness; you flow to the inviting support, purified by men, wise one, seeking strength. Run forth, sit around the vessel with men, O purifier, attain the prize; like a horse, the swift ones cleanse you, leading you to the sacred grass with reins. The godly drop, armed with its own weapon, is purified, destroying curses and protecting the people; father of the gods, skillful creator, support of heaven and foundation of earth. The seer, inspired sage, and leader of men, the wise Usanas, by his insight, discovered what was hidden among them—the secret name of the cows in the farthest place. We praise you, hero, like unmilked cows; O Indra, lord of the moving and the fixed, lord with the vision of light.