Sing now, O singers, of the great deed of Indra most supreme!
Behold the slaying of the serpent Vṛtra, the most terrible of demons!
The earth did quake; the waters feared; the very gods held still their breath.
Yet Indra came forth with his thunderbolt and smote the creature down.

In days of old, when all the world was held in bondage by the serpent,
When rain did fall no more upon the earth, and drought consumed the land,
When darkness pressed upon the world and hope itself had nearly died—
The gods did call upon Indra, saying, "Thou must slay the demon!"

Vṛtra lay coiled in the depths, beneath the mountains and the sky.
His body was as vast as all the earth; his jaws did gape like caverns.
He had consumed the waters all and held them captive in his belly.
No god had dared to challenge him; no hero dared approach his lair.

But Indra feared him not! With mighty heart and limbs of sinew strong,
He grasped his thunderbolt and rose to meet the demon in the cloud.
The sky grew dark with thunder; lightning split the heavens wide.
Indra advanced; Vṛtra roared; the cosmos trembled at the sound.

The first blow Indra struck—it shattered half the demon's strength!
Vṛtra writhed and twisted; serpent coils did thrash about in rage.
The second blow came swift and sure; Indra's aim was deadly true.
The demon screamed in mortal pain; his jaws did gape in agony.

The third blow was the final one; the thunderbolt struck true and deep.
Vṛtra split asunder; from his body gushed the captive waters forth!
The rivers flowed in torrents; the rain came down in sheets of silver.
The earth drank deep; the crops grew green; the people sang for joy.

From Vṛtra's blood the mountains rose, and valleys formed where rivers flowed.
The sun shone bright upon the world; the darkness fled away.
Indra stood triumphant, and the gods came forth to sing his praise.
O mighty Indra, slayer of the serpent, lord of all the world!

Accept our offerings this day; accept the Soma that we pour.
Thou art the greatest of the gods; thy deed shall live forever.
The waters that thou didst release shall flow unto the end of time.
We honor thee, O Indra brave, and chant thy name in endless song.