Indra! O lord of cosmic deeds! Thou hast done what no other god could do. Hear now the recitation of thy mighty works! These are the tales that shall be sung forever in the halls of men.

In the beginning of time, when the world was young and the powers of chaos did reign, thou didst come forth as the champion. The demon Vṛtra, that serpent of drought and darkness, did coil himself around the mountains and the waters, holding them captive. The world grew parched. The rivers ceased to flow. All living things cried out in thirst and despair.

Then thou, O Indra, didst gird thyself with strength! Thou didst drink the soma deep. Thy power swelled within thee like a great tide. Thou took'st up the thunderbolt and didst hurl thyself at the demon. The sky did shake with the tumult of thy battle! Lightning did flash! Thunder did roar! The earth did tremble beneath thy feet!

And lo, thou didst slay Vṛtra! Thou didst smite him even unto death! The serpent's body did split asunder, and the waters that he had held captive came flooding forth! The rivers began to flow again! The earth drank deep! All the lands were made fertile and green once more!

Thus thou, O Indra, didst open the cave of the waters and release them for the benefit of all mankind. Thou didst break the power of evil. Thou didst triumph over the forces of destruction. Forever shall thy name be remembered! Forever shall thy deeds be celebrated! Accept our praise, O mighty one!