Indra, we recall thy ancient deeds! The mighty works thou didst perform in ages past, when the world was young and the gods had not yet established their dominion! These are the tales that we singers chant around the fire, these are the deeds that the mothers teach their children!

Thou didst break the ninety-nine fortresses of the asuras! Each one was built with sorcery and guile, with walls of darkness and gates sealed by demon-craft. Yet thou didst smash them one by one, as a man might crush clay vessels beneath his feet! The asuras shrieked and fled before thy advance! Their mighty kings fell before thy Vajra like wheat before the scythe!

Thou didst release the sun from the grasp of the darkness-demon! The pale orb had been stolen away, hidden in a cave of shadow, and the world lay in eternal night. But thou didst penetrate that darkness, and thou didst draw the sun forth with thy mighty hand! Now it rideth across the sky daily, bringing warmth and light unto all creatures!

Thou didst break the bonds that held the waters captive! The clouds were locked in place by sorcery; the rain would not fall; the earth lay parched and brown. In thy fury thou didst strike them asunder! The waters cascaded down upon the fields; the rivers ran swift and full; the earth bloomed green again!

The Ādityas sing thy praises! The Maruts celebrate thy victories! The Vasus bear witness to thy strength! In the ancient days thou didst make all these deeds possible; now we call upon thee to make new victories in our own time! Be for us what thou wast for the gods of old — the mighty one, the fortress-breaker, the bringer of abundance, the eternal champion!