O Indra, fortress-breaker and destroyer of Śambara! How we celebrate thy deeds against that ancient foe! Śambara was one of the mightiest of the Asuras, a demon lord of terrible power and cunning. He had built ninety-nine fortresses, each one stronger than the last, each one guarded by demons and protected by sorceries beyond counting.

Śambara thought himself safe within his strongholds. He believed that no power in creation could breach his defenses. He made ceremonies to propitiate the forces of chaos and darkness, thinking that they would shield him from the wrath of the Devas. But he had not counted upon thee, O Indra! He had not reckoned with thy strength and thy determination.

When thou didst march against him, the very ground trembled beneath thy feet. The demons scattered before thee like leaves before the wind. The sorceries that Śambara had woven with such care unraveled at thy approach. One by one, the ninety-nine fortresses crumbled before thy assault. Not a single rampart could withstand the force of thy power.

We hear in the tales of Śambara's destruction the lesson that no earthly power can stand against thee. Might he build ever so strong a fortress, might he command ever so many demons, might he work ever so many dark spells — all of it cometh to nothing when thy will is set against him. The mightiest stronghold is but dust before thee.

So too do we believe that no foe of ours can stand against us while thou art our champion, O Indra! If we call upon thee with sincere hearts and offer the proper sacrifices, thou shalt break the strongholds of our enemies as easily as thou brokest the fortresses of Śambara. Therefore we sing thy praise, O fortress-breaker, slayer of the demon lord!