Indra! The slayer of darkness! The vanquisher of demons! The restorer of light! At the beginning of time, when the world was young and the forces of chaos pressed upon all sides, thou didst arise in thy strength and didst cast down the powers of night.

The dragon Vṛtra coiled around the mountains, blocking the rains from falling. The waters were imprisoned; the cattle lowed in hunger; the land grew parched and barren. All creation groaned beneath the weight of darkness and despair.

But thou, O Indra, didst rise! Thy thunderbolt blazed like the sun itself. Thy mighty arm struck the serpent, and it writhed in agony. The coils loosened; the chains broke. The waters burst forth like a great torrent, rushing down to nourish the earth once more.

And the sun! The sun had been hidden in the darkness, imprisoned by demons. But thou didst find it, O Indra, and thou didst restore it to the sky. The dawn broke upon the world again. The shadows fled away. The light came flooding back, restoring joy and hope to all living creatures.

The birds began to sing. The flowers opened their petals to the sun. The children came forth from their hiding places to play. The farmers went out to their fields with renewed purpose, knowing that their crops would grow. All creatures rejoiced, for the darkness had been vanquished and light had been restored.

And all of this was thy doing, O mighty Indra! Thou art the champion of light; thou art the enemy of darkness; thou art the restorer of order when chaos threateneth.

Now, in this age, as in ages past, the darkness still gathereth. The demons still make their plots. Evil still worketh in the hearts of men. Yet thou, O Indra, art still vigilant. Thy thunderbolt is ever ready. Thy strength hath not diminished.

We call upon thee to guard us from the darkness! Keep from us the evil powers that would destroy us. Cast down the wicked who scheme to harm the innocent. Restore light to those who dwell in despair. Turn the face of the sun toward us, that we may see the path that we must walk.

The soma presseth forth at the stone; the sacred fire burneth bright. We bring unto thee our offerings, O Indra, mighty protector! We pour out the juice; we kindle the flames; we raise our voices in hymn and prayer.

Accept our devotion, O god of a thousand praises! Come to this altar that we have prepared. Drink of the soma that floweth like a river. Rejoice in our worship, and grant unto us thy continued protection.

Let thy strength never fail us. Let thy courage inspire our hearts. Let thy watchfulness guard us through all the hours of darkness, until the dawn breaketh and light returneth to the world. For thou art our defense; thou art our shield; thou art our refuge and our hope. In thee alone do we place our trust, O mighty Indra, vanquisher of demons and restorer of light.