At the break of dawn, as the first light kindled the world, Indra—ancient and ever-renewed—grew in might at the forefront of the day. Joined by three divine companions, and then by thirty more, Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, rose up in strength. With their aid, he struck down Vṛtra, the great foe, scattering all adversaries before him. In the midst of these cosmic deeds, Narāśaṃsa, the heroic one, measured out and prepared the sacred seat for the sacrifice, while Tanūnapāt presided. The place was adorned with cows and anointed with honey, and the wise ones brought their gold-bright offerings, worshipping with reverence. The gods themselves praised Indra, he of the bay steeds, and eagerly invoked him with their offerings. Purandara, the breaker of enclosures and the thunderbolt-wielder, was called to the sacrifice, that he might accept the worship and grant his favor. Accepting his seat, Indra, with his bay horses, sat facing the east, his presence spreading wide across the earth. He shone as the foremost and most auspicious, anointed with the radiance of the Ādityas and united with the Vasus. Swiftly, the good and eager wives, the Kavaṣyas, hastened to bring Indra, the mighty bull, to the sacrificial ground. The divine doors opened wide, welcoming the hero, strong and foremost in might, to enter and take his place. Uṣas, the dawn, and Naktā, the night—both great, mighty, and ever-yielding—brought the heroic Indra, weaving the sacred thread of sacrifice with skill. The god of gods, radiant and worthy of worship, was thus honored by their devotion. At many places, divine and human Hotṛ priests together called upon Indra with sweet words, bearing the head of the sacrifice, anointed with honey. Through their offerings, they increased the ancient light, kindling the flame of worship. Three goddesses—Sarasvatī, Iḍā, and Bhāratī—grew in strength with the offering, accepting Indra as a wife welcomes her husband. They, the all-supporting, bestowed nourishment and maintained the unbroken thread of the rite. Tvaṣṭṛ, the divine craftsman, bestowed strength upon mighty Indra, fashioning many glorious things in his honor. The bull, sacrificing for the bull, sought to unite the gods, bearing the head of the sacrifice. The forest lord, released and free from snares, stood upright, tamed like a god. He filled Indra’s belly with offerings, sweetening the sacrifice with honey and ghee. For the smallest drops of Soma, Indra the hero—urged on, mighty bull—approached. The immortal gods, rejoicing, delighted in the sacrifice, their minds gladdened by the ghee. Indra was called to come and help, praised as the hero of the feast, ever-growing in strength and power. May the heavens themselves flourish unconquered under his dominion. From distant realms, Indra, mighty and strong of arm, was invoked to bring aid, to conquer foes in battle and contest, wielding his thunderbolt for the sake of his devotees. With his bay steeds, Indra was called to turn toward the worshippers, to grant help and bounty. The thunderer, bountiful and far-seeing, was asked to stand by them in sacrifice and contest alike. Again and again, Indra was invoked—the protector, the helper, the easily-invoked hero. Śakra, the much-invoked, was beseeched to grant well-being and blessings. Indra, of excellent guidance and generous gifts, was asked for his gracious help, that he may drive away hatred and grant fearlessness, making his worshippers lords of heroic strength. May the worshippers remain in Indra’s good favor and happy mind, kept safe from hatred even from afar, under the guidance of the bountiful one. Indra was invited to come swiftly, his bays adorned with peacock plumes, unrestrained and unbound—let him come as an arrow flies beyond the bowstring. Thus did the Vasiṣṭhas, with hymns, praise Indra the mighty, the thunder-armed, praying that he grant them heroes and cattle, and always protect them with blessings. Agni was kindled, the Aśvins invoked, the vessel heated, and the shining Soma pressed. Sarasvatī, the cow, yielded the bright Soma, strength for Indra. The Aśvins, physicians of the body, and Sarasvatī brought strength at the pressing, carrying power for Indra along the sacred paths. For Indra, Sarasvatī with Naraśaṃsa and Nagnahu, and the Aśvins together, placed the honeyed medicine in the pressing. Sarasvatī invoked strength and power for Indra, while the Aśvins with Iḍā bestowed food, nourishment, and wealth. When Soma was pressed for Namuci, the Aśvins brought the bright, flowing drink, and Sarasvatī delivered it to the altar for Indra to drink. Like protective coverings, like shining regions, like the Aśvins, like the distant quarters, like Indra, like both worlds—Sarasvatī granted all desires. Uṣas and Night, the Aśvins, the Day, and Indra in the evening with his powers—all, beautifully adorned, were united with Sarasvatī. The Aśvins were asked to protect by day, Sarasvatī by night, and both divine healers, together with Indra, to protect at the pressing of the Soma. Threefold, in three ways, Sarasvatī, the Aśvins, and Bhāratī poured out the strong, overflowing Soma, bringing exhilaration to Indra. The Aśvins brought healing sweetness, Sarasvatī brought healing, and Tvaṣṭṛ bestowed glory and beauty upon Indra at the Soma pressing, form after form. At the appointed time, Indra, lord of the forest, rejoicing, poured out the overflowing Soma; Sarasvatī, the cow, milked sweet honey for the Aśvins. With cows, the Aśvins and Sarasvatī placed the overflowing Soma in the monthly rite; the sweet pressed drink was offered to Indra with the cry of svāhā. The Aśvins’ offering was strength; Sarasvatī, mindful of Namuci, brought the bright, divine wealth and bounty to Indra. By that offering, the Aśvins and Sarasvatī increased Indra’s might, and with Namuci, the Asura, he broke open Vala, the hidden treasure. Indra, accompanied by the Aśvins and Sarasvatī, was strengthened with sacrificial oblation and powers, bearing the offering. Savitṛ, Varuṇa, and Bhaga, to whom Indra’s strength was given, joined with the worshipper, the lord of offerings, strong-threaded and steadfast. Savitṛ and Varuṇa gave to the worshipper who served, taking the wealth of Namuci for Indra’s strength and power. Varuṇa gave sovereignty and power, Bhaga and Savitṛ gave prosperity; with strong-threaded glory and strength, they approached the sacrifice. The Aśvins, with cows, gave strength; with horses, manliness and power; Sarasvatī, with the offering, increased the worshipper for Indra. The two Nasatyas, the Aśvins, beautifully adorned with golden wheels, and Sarasvatī, rich in offerings, were invoked to protect the worshippers in Indra’s works. These two healers, of good deeds, and Sarasvatī, the good milker—she who is the slayer of Vṛtra, of a hundred powers—have given strength to Indra, that he may ever prevail.