Aitareyabrahmana 3.21

3.21

Indra, having slain Vṛtra and won all victories, said to Prajāpati: 'May I be what you are; may I be great.' That Prajāpati said: 'Then who (kaḥ) am I?' 'Just what you have said,' he replied. From that, Prajāpati became Ka by name; Prajāpati is indeed Ka by name. Since Indra became great, that is the great Indra-ship of Mahendra. Having become great, he said to the deities: 'Apportion a chosen share for me!' Just as even now one wishes who becomes someone and attains pre-eminence (he becomes great). The gods said to him: 'State yourself what shall be yours.' He chose this: the Māhendra cup, the midday soma-pressing among the soma-pressings, the niṣkevalya chant among the recitations, the triṣṭubh among the metres, the pṛṣṭha among the sāmans. They apportioned that chosen share to him. They apportione a chosen share to him who knows thus. The gods said to him: 'You have claimed everything! Let there be a share for us here too.' He said: 'No, how could there be a share for you?' They said to him: 'Let there be a share for us, O Maghavan!' He merely looked at them.