In a sacred world where Indra and Vāyu walk in harmony, discord finds no place, and wisdom flourishes. Here, every element is joined in unity: fibers intertwine, roughness meets roughness, and fragrance guards the Soma, preserving its unfailing essence for exhilaration. The ritual unfolds as the priests pour and sprinkle Soma all around, purifying the tawny, intoxicating drink. They ponder its meaning, asking what it says to them and what they say to it. At dawn, Indra is invited to enjoy offerings: grain-filled, mixed with gruel, bearing cakes, and accompanied by hymns. The Maruts sing loudly to Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, who, with the gods grown in truth, generated light for the awakened deity. The Adhvaryu priest brings the pressed Soma through the filter, purifying it for Indra to drink. All is established in the lord of beings, who rules the worlds, the great and the greater; by his power, the ritual is enacted. The offerings are received for the Aśvins, Sarasvatī, Indra, and Sutrāman; their seat is prepared, and the ritual honors them. Prayers are made for protection: for breath, sight, hearing, and speech, invoking healing and unity of mind. The devotee partakes of what is made, invoked, and called by the Aśvins, Sarasvatī, Indra, and Sutrāman. Indra, kindled at the dawns’ forefront, grows strong, ancient and mighty; with three gods and thirty, he wields the bolt, striking down Vṛtra and driving away foes. Narāśaṃsa measures out the sacrifice, Tanūnapāt prepares its seat, offerings adorned with cows and honey are made, and the wise worship with gold-bright gifts. Indra, praised by the gods and possessing bay steeds, is invoked eagerly. Purandara, breaker of enclosures and wielder of the bolt, is called to the sacrifice, accepting the devotion of his worshipers. Accepting his seat, Indra faces east, wide-spreading and auspicious, anointed with the Ādityas and united with the Vasus. Swift wives and good spouses hasten to bring Indra, the bull, and the Kavaṣyas. The divine doors open wide, and the strong hero enters. Uṣas and Naktā, great and mighty, ever-yielding, bring the heroic Indra, weaving the stretched thread with skill, radiant and worshipful. Divine and human Hotṛ priests call upon Indra with sweet words, bearing the head of the sacrifice with honey, increasing the ancient light with their offerings. Three goddesses—Sarasvatī, Iḍā, and Bhāratī—grow with the offering, accepting Indra as wives accept their husband, supporting all with unbroken thread and nourishment. Tvaṣṭṛ fashions strength for mighty Indra, creating glorious things for fame. The bull sacrifices to the bull, and those bearing the head of the sacrifice unite the gods. The forest lord, released and upright, tamed like a god, fills Indra’s belly with offerings, sweetening the sacrifice with honey and ghee. For the small drops, Indra the hero, urged on, approaches; may the immortal gods rejoice in the sacrifice with ghee. Indra is called for help, praised as the hero at the feast, ever-growing in strength; may heaven, like his dominion, remain unconquered. Indra is invoked to come from afar, mighty and bringing aid, lord of men with strong arms and thunderbolt, conquering foes in battle and contest. With his bay steeds, Indra turns towards his devotees, the thunderer, bountiful and far-seeing, standing by them in sacrifice and contest for strength. Indra is called the protector, helper, and easily-invoked hero; Śakra, much-invoked, is beseeched to grant well-being. May Indra, of excellent guidance and good gifts, be gracious, all-knowing, driving away hatred and making his devotees fearless, granting heroic strength. Prayers continue for Indra’s favor and happy mind, for him to keep hatred away even from afar. He is called to come with delightful bay steeds adorned with peacock plumes, unrestrained and unbound, swift as an arrow beyond the bowstring. The Vasiṣṭhas praise Indra, the mighty thunder-armed, with hymns, seeking heroes and cattle, and protection through blessings. Kindled Agni, the Aśvins, the heated vessel, and shining Soma are pressed; Sarasvatī, the cow, yields bright Soma, the strength for Indra. The Aśvins, physicians of the body, and Sarasvatī bring strength in the pressing, carrying power for Indra along the paths. For Indra, Sarasvatī with Naraśaṃsa and Nagnahu, and the Aśvins, place honeyed medicine in the pressing. Sarasvatī invokes strength and power for Indra; the Aśvins with Iḍā bestow food, nourishment, and wealth. For Namuci, the Aśvins press Soma, bright and flowing; Sarasvatī brings it to the altar for Indra to drink. Sarasvatī grants all desires, like protective coverings, shining regions, the Ashvins, distant directions, Indra, and both worlds. Uṣas, Night, the Ashvins, Day, and Indra in the evening with his powers are united with Sarasvatī, beautifully adorned. Protection is sought: the Ashvins by day, Sarasvatī by night, and the two divine priests, healers, together with Indra, at the pressing of Soma. Threefold, Sarasvatī, the Ashvins, and Bhāratī pour out strong, overflowing Soma, producing exhilaration for Indra. The Ashvins bring healing sweetness, Sarasvatī brings healing; Tvaṣṭṛ places glory and beauty in Indra, form after form, at the Soma pressing. In due season, Indra, Lord of the Forest, rejoices and pours out the overflowing Soma; the cow, Sarasvatī, milks sweet honey for the Ashvins. Thus, the sacred ritual unfolds, invoking unity, strength, healing, and blessings, with Indra, the Ashvins, Sarasvatī, and the gods honored and united in the offering.