Behold the thunderbolt in the hand of Indra! It is wrought of gold and adamant, polished bright as the sun. With this weapon he hath shattered the fortresses of demons; with this he hath conquered all his foes. No demon can withstand the power of his bolt; no demon can flee from his wrath.

When Indra hurledst the thunderbolt against the dragon Vṛtra, who held the waters pent in thrall, the mountains shook with terror. The heaven trembled; the earth swayed beneath the blow. The demon fell, split asunder like an ancient jar, and from his body rushed the waters, the cattle, the wealth that he had stolen from men.

Thou didst slay Vṛtra, O Indra, and set the rivers free to flow. The waters that had been held captive for ages began their journey to the sea. The kine that had been hidden in the caves came forth to the pasture. The Soma began to flow, and the singers were made glad. Thou hast been the saviour of mankind, the protector of the Ārya peoples.

The Paṇis had built their fortresses in the mountains; they thought themselves safe from all attack. But thou didst march against them, O mighty Bull, and thy thunderbolt smashed their walls like brittle pottery. The demons fled, scattering in every direction. Their treasures fell into thy hands. All that they had stolen thou didst restore to the rightful owners.

With thy thunderbolt in hand thou goest forth to battle. The mountains echo with thy voice; the earth trembleth beneath thy feet. When thou dost move, the three worlds shudder. The gods stand aside to let thee pass; the demons flee at thy approach. No foe can stand against thee; no demon can withstand thy might.

Thou hast built thy strongholds in the heavens; they are guarded by thy champions. From there thou watchest over all the earth. When a demon riseth up to threaten the world, thou descendest like a thunderbolt and smitest him down. The wicked are punished; the righteous are protected. Order is restored; chaos is vanquished.

The waters flow at thy command, O Indra. The rivers hasten to their course; the streams run swift and clear. The rains fall when thou dost will it; the drought endeth at thy word. All living things depend upon thy will. The cattle drink and are satisfied; the fields are watered and bring forth grain. Without thee, the world would perish.

The cattle that thou didst release from the demon's grip—these are the wealth of the Ārya peoples. They give us milk and meat; they serve us in labour and in war. With their hides we make our clothing; with their bones we make our tools. Thou hast given unto us these treasures, O mighty one. Thy gift is the foundation of our life.

The seven rivers that thou didst set free—these carry the life-blood of the earth. They nourish the fields; they fill the wells; they sustain all living things. The waters in the sky, the waters in the earth, the waters in the sea—all obey thy will. Thou art the lord of all waters, the master of the rain, the ruler of the storm.

In the beginning, there was the demon, and there was the captive water. Then came Indra, and all was changed. The demon was slain; the water was set free. The world was born anew. That was thy greatest deed, O mighty one—greater than all the cities thou hast shattered, greater than all the demons thou hast slain. For in that deed, thou didst save all of creation.

Now we call upon thee again, O Indra, for we are ever threatened by demons and darkness. Keep watch over us; protect us from all harm. Let thy thunderbolt be ever ready against our enemies. Grant us the strength and courage of warriors. Grant us the wisdom of sages. Grant us the prosperity of the righteous.

And when our lives come to an end, may we know that we have lived beneath thy protection. May we know that thy eye hath been upon us, thy hand hath guided us, thy might hath upheld us. For thou art the greatest of all the gods, the mightiest of all powers, the eternal protector of those who call upon thy name.

Thus do we praise thee, O Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, slayer of demons, liberator of the waters, guardian of the Ārya peoples. Thy deeds are without number; thy power is without measure. May thy blessing rest upon us forever. May thy friendship never wane. May we ever praise thy name, as long as the sun doth shine, as long as the rivers flow, as long as the stars wheel through the heavens.