[09-061] HYMN LXI. Soma Pavamana.

1. FLOW onward, Indu, with this food for him who in thy wild delight

Battered the nine-and-ninety down,

2 Smote swiftly forts, and gambara, then Yadu and that Turvaga, For pious Divodasa’s sake.

3 Finder of horses, pour on us horses and wealth in kine and gold,

And, Indu, food in boundless store.

4 We seek to win thy friendly love, even Pavamana’s flowing o’er

The limit of the cleansing sieve.

5 With those same waves which in their stream oyerflow the purifying sieve, Soma; be gracious unto us.

6 O Soma, being purified, bring us from all sides,-for thou canst,- Riches and food with hero sons.

7 Him here, the Child whom streams have borne, the ten swift fingers beautify

With the Adityas is he seen.

8 With Indra and with Vayu he, effused, flows onward with,the beams

Of Surya to the cleansing sieve.

9 Flow rich in sweets and lovely for our Bhaga, Vayu, Pusan flow

For Mitra and for Varuna.

10 High is thy juice’s birth: though set in heaven, on earth it hath obtained

Strong sheltering power and great renown.

11 Striving to win, with him we gain all wealth from the ungodly man, Yea, all the glories of mankind.

12 Finder of room and freedom, flow for Indra whom we must adore, For Varuna and the Marut host.

13 The Gods have come to Indu well-descended, beautified with milk,

The active crusher of the foe.

14 Even as mother cows their calf, so let our praise-songs strengthen him, Yea, him who winneth Indra’s heart.

15 Soma, pour blessings on our kine, pour forth the food that streams with milk

Increase the sea that merits laud.

16 From heaven hath Pavamana made, as ’twere, the marvellous thunder, and

The lofty light of all mankind.

17 The gladdening and auspicious juice of thee, of Pavamana, King! Flows o’er the woollen straining-cloth.

18 Thy juice, O Pavamana, sends its rays abroad like splendid skill, Like lustre, all heaven’s light, to see.

19 Flow onward with that juice of thine most excellent, that brings delight, Slaying the wicked, dear to Gods.

20 Killing the foeman and his hate, and winning booty every day, Gainer art thou of steeds and kine.

21 Red-hued, be blended with the milk that seems to yield its lovely breast, Falcon-like resting in thine home.

22 Flow onward thou who strengthenedst Indra to slaughter Vrtra who

Compassed and stayed the mighty floods.

23 Soma who rainest gifts, may we win riches with our hero sons: Strengthen, as thou art cleansed, our hymns.

24 Aided by thee, and through thy grace, may we be slayers when we war: Watch, Soma, at our solemn rites.

25 Chasing our foemen, driving off the godless, Soma flowcth on, Going to Indra’s special place.

26 O Pavamana, hither bring great riches, and destroy our foes: O Indu, grant heroic fame.

27 A hundred obstacles have ne’er checked thee when fain to give thy boons,

When, being cleansed, thou combatest.

28 Indu, flow on, a mighty juice; glorify us among the folk: Drive all our enemies away.

29 Indu, in this thy friendship most lofty and glorious may we

Subdue all those who war with us.

30 Those awful weapons that thou hast, sharpened at point to strike men down- Guard us therewith from every foe.

[09-062] HYMN LXII. Soma Pavamana.

1. THESE rapid Soma-drops have been poured through the purifying sieve

To bring us all felicities.

2 Dispelling manifold mishap, giving the courser’s progeny, Yea, and the warrior steed, success.

3 Bringing prosperity to kine, they make perpetual Ila flow

To us for noble eulogy.

4 Strong, mountain-born, the stalk hath been pressed in the streams for rapturous joy: Hawk-like he settles in his home.

5 Fair is the God-loved juice; the plant is washed in waters, pressed by men

The milch-kine sweeten it with milk.

6 As drivers deck a courser, so have they adorned the meath’s juice for

Ambrosia, for the festival.

7 Thou, Indu, with thy streams that drop sweet juices, which were poured for help,

Hast settled in the cleansing sieve.

8 So flow thou onward through the fleece, for Indra flow, to be his drink, Finding thine home in vats of wood.

9 As giving room and freedom, as most sweet, pour butter forth and milk, O Indu, for the Angirases.

10 Most active and benevolent, this Pavamana, sent to us

For lofty friendship, meditates.

11 Queller of curses, mighty, with strong sway, this Pavamana shall

Bring treasures to the worshipper.

12 Pour thou upon us thousandfold possessions, both of kine and steeds, Exceeding glorious, much-desired.

13 Wandering far, with wise designs, the juice here present is effused, Made beautiful by living men.

14 For Indra flows the gladdening drink, the measurer of the region, Sage, With countless wealth and endless help.

15 Born on the inountain, lauded here, Indu for Indra is set down, As in her sheltering nest a bird.

16 Pressed by the men, as ’twere to war hath Soma Pavamana sped, To test with might within the vats.

17 That he may move, they yoke him to the three-backed triple-seated car

By the Seven Rsis’ holy songs.

18 Drive ye that Tawny Courser, O ye pressers, on his way to war, Swift Steed who carries off the spoil.

19 Pouring all glories hither, he, effused and entering the jar, Stands like a hero mid the kine.

20 Indu, the living men milk out the juice to make the rapturous draught: Gods for the Gods milk out the meath.

21 Pour for the Gods into the sieve our Soma very rich in sweets, Him whom the Gods most gladly hear.

22 Into his stream who gladdens best these Soma juices have been poured, Lauded with songs for lofty fame.

23 Thou flowest to enjoy the milk, and bringest valour, being cleansed: Winning the spoil flow hitherward.

24 And, hymned by Jamadagnis, let all nourishment that kine supply, And general praises, flow to us.

25 Soma, as leader of the song flow onward with thy wondrous aids, For holy lore of every kind.

26 Do thou as leader of the song, stirring the waters of the sea, Flow onward, thou who movest all.

27 O Soma, O thou Sage, these worlds stand ready to attest thy might: For thy behoof the rivers flow.

28 Like showers of rain that fall from heaven thy streams perpetually flow

To the bright fleece spread under them.

29 For potent Indra purify Indu effectual and strong, Enjoyment-giver, Mighty Lord.

30 Soma, true, Pavamana, Sage, is seated in the cleansing sieve,

Giving his praiser hero strength.

[09-063] HYMN LXIII. Soma Pavanana.

1. POUR hitherward, O Soma, wealth in thousands and heroic strength, And keep renown secure for us.

2 Thou makest food and vigour swell for Indra, best of gladdeners! Within the cups thou seatest thee.

3 For Indra and for Visnu poured, Soma hath flowed into the jar: May Vayu find it rich in sweets.

4 These Somas swift and brown of hue, in stream of solemn sacrifice

Have flowed through twisted obstacles,

5 Performing every noble work, active, augmenting Indra’s strength, Driving away the godless ones.

6 Brown Soma-drops, effused that seek Indra, to their appropriate place

Flow through the region hitherward.

7 Flow onward with that stream of thine wherewith thou gavest Surya light, Urging on waters good to men.

8 He, Pavamana, high o’er man yoked the Sun’s courser Etasa

To travel through the realm of air.

9 And those ten Coursers, tawny-hued, he harnessed that the Sun might come

Indu, he said, is Indra’s self.

10 Hence, singers, pour the gladdeningjuice to Vayu and to Indra, pour

The drops upon the fleecy cloth.

11 O Soma Pavamana, find wealth for us not to be assailed, Wealth which the foeman may not win.

12 Send riches hither with thy stream in thousands, both of steeds and kine, Send spoil of war and high renown.

13 Soma the God, expressed with stones, like Surya, floweth on his way, Pouring the juice within the jar.

14 These brilliant drops have poured for us, in stream of solemn sacrifice, Worshipful laws and strength in kine.

15 Over the cleansing sieve have flowed the Somas, blent with curdled milk, Effused for Indra Thunder-armed.

16 Soma, do thou most rich in sweets, a gladdening drink most dear to Gods, Flow to the sieve to bring us wealth.

17 For Indra, living men adorn the Tawny Courser in the streams, Indu, the giver of delight.

18 Pour for us, Soma, wealth in gold, in horses and heroic sons, Bring hither strength in herds of kine.

19 For Indra pour ye on the fleece him very sweet to taste, who longs. For battle as it were in war.

20 The singers, seeking help, adorn the Sage who must be decked with songs: Loud bellowing the Steer comes on,

21 The singers with their thoughts and hymns have, in the stream of sacrifice, Caused Soma, active Steer, to roar.

22 God, working with mankind, flow on; to Indra go thy gladdening juice: To Vayu mount as Law commands

23 O Soma, Pavamana, thou pourest out wealth that brings renown: Enter the lake, as one we love.

24 Soma thou flowest chasing foes and bringing wisdom and delight: Drive off the folk who love not Gods.

25 The Pavamanas have been poured, the brilliant drops of Soma juice,

For holy lore of every kind.

26 The Pavamanas have been shed, the beautiful swift Soma-drops, Driving all enemies afar.

27 From, heaven, from out the firmament, hath Pavamana been effused

Upon the summit of the earth.

28 O Soma, Indu, very wise, drive, being purified, with thy stream

All foes, all Raksasas away.

29 Driving the Raksasas afar, O Soma, bellowing, pour for us

Most excellent and splendid strength.

30 Soma, do thou secure for us the treasures of the earih and heaven, Indu, all boons to be desired.

[09-064] HYMN LXIV. Soma Pavamana.

1. Soma, thou art a splendid Steer, a Steer, O God, with steerlike sway: Thou as a Steer ordainest laws.

2 Steer-strong thy might is as a steer’s, steerstrong thywood, steer-like thy drink

A Steer indeed, O Steer, art thou.

3 Thou, Indu, as a vigorous horse, hast neighed together steeds and kine: Unbar for us the doors to wealth.

4 Out of desire of cows and steeds and horses. potent Soma-drops, Brilliant and swift, have been effused.

5 They purified in both the hands, made beautiful by holy men, Flow onward to the fleecy cloth.

6 These Soma juices shall pour forth all treasures for the worshipper

From heaven and earth and firmament.

7 The streams of Pavamana, thine, Finder of all, have been effused, Even as Surya’s rays of light.

8 Making the light that shines from heaven thou flowest on to every form

Soma, thou swellest like a sea.

9 Urged on thou sendest out thy voice, O Pavamana; thou hast moved, Like the God Surya, to the sieve.

10 Indu, Enlightener, Friend, hath been purified by the sages’ hymns: So starts the charioteer his steed-

11 Thy God-delighting wave which hath flowed to purifying seive, Alighting in the home of Law.

12 Flow to our sieve, a gladdening draught that hath most intercourse with Gods, Indu, to Indra for his drink.

13 Flow onward with a stream for food, made beautiful by sapient men: Indu with sheen approach the milk.

14 While thou art cleansed, Song-Lover, bring comfort and vigour to the folk, Poured, Tawny One! on milk and curds.

15 Purified for the feast of Gods, go thou to Indra’s special place, Resplendent, guided by the strong.

16 Accelerated by the hymn, the rapid drops of Soma juice

Have flowed, urged onward, to the lake.

17 Easily have the living drops, made beautiful, approached the lake, Yea, to the place of sacrifice.

18 Compass about, our faithful Friend, all our possessions with thy might: Guard, hero like, our sheltering home.

19 Loud neighs the Courser Etasa, with singers, harnessed for the place,

Guided for travel to the lake.

20 What time the Swift One resteth in the golden place of sacrifice, He leaves the foolish far away.

21 The friends have sung in unison, the prudent wish to sacrifice: Down sink the unintelligent.

22 For Indra girt by Maruts, flow, thou Indu, very rich in sweets, To sit in place of sacrifice.

23 Controlling priests and sages skilled in holy song adorn thee well: The living make thee beautiful.

24 Aryaman, Mitra, Varuna drink Pavamana’s juice, yea, thine: O Sage, the Maruts drink thereof.

25 O Soma, Indu, thou while thou art purified urgest onward speech. Thousandfold, with the lore of hymns.

26 Yea, Soma, Indu, while thou art purified do thou bring to us

Speech thousandfold that longs for war.

27 O Indu, Much-invoked, while thou art purifying, as the Friend. Of these men enter thou the lake.

28 Bright are these Somas blent with milk, with light that flashes brilliantly. And form that utters loud acclaim.

29 Led by his drivers, and sent forth, the Strong Steed hath come nigh for spoil, Like warriors when they stand arrayed.

30 Specially, Soma, coming as a Sage from heaven to prosper us, Flow like the Sun for us to see.

[09-065] HYMN LXV. Soma Pavamana.

1. THE, glittering maids send Sura forth, the glorious sisters, close-allied, Send Indu forth, their mighty Lord.

2 Pervade, O Pavamana, all our treasures with repeated light, God, coming hither from the Gods.

3 Pour on us, Pavamana, rain, as service and rain praise for Gods: Pour all to be our nourishment.

4 Thou art a Steer by lustre: we, O Pavamana, faithfully

Call upon thee the Splendid One.

5 Do thou, rejoicing, nobly-armed! pour upon us heroic strength: O Indu, come thou bitherward.

6 When thou art cleansed with both the hands and dipped in waters, with the wood. Thou comest to the gathering-place.

7 Sing forth your songs, as Vyasva sang, to Soma Pavamana, to, The Mighty One with thousand eyes;

8 Whose coloured sap they drive with stones, the yellow meath-distilling juice, Indu for Indra, for his drink.

9 We seek to gain the friendly love of thee that Strong and Mighty One, Of thee the winner of all wealth.

10 Flow onward with thy stream, a Steer, inspiriting the Maruts’ Lord, Winning all riches by thy might.

11 I send thee forth to battle from the press, O Pavamana, Strong, Sustainer, looker on the light.

12 Acknowledged by this song of mine, flow, tawny-coloured, with thy stream

Incite to battle thine ally.

13 O Indu, visible to all pour out for us abundant food: Soma, be thou our prosperer.

14 The pitchers, Indu, with thy streams have sung aloud in vigorous might

Enter them, and let Indra drink.

15 O thou whose potent gladdening juice they milk out with the stones, flow on, Destroyer of our enemies.

16 King Pavamana is implored with holy songs, on man’s behalf, To travel through the firmament.

17 Bring us, O Indu, hundredfold increase of kine, and noble steeds, The gift of fortune for our help.

18 Pressed for the banquet of the Gods, O Soma, bring us might, and speed, Like beauty for a brilliant show.

19 Soma, flow on exceeding bright with loud roar to the wooden vats, Falcon-like resting in thine home.

20 Soma, the Water-winner flows to Indra, Vayu, Varuna, To Visnu and the Marut host.

21 Soma , bestowing food upon our progeny, from every sides, Pour on us riches thousandfold

22 The Soma juices which have been expressed afar or near at hand, Or there on Saryanavan’s bank,

23 Those pressed among Arjikas, pressed among the active, in men’s homes, Or pressed among the Races Five-

24 May these celestial drops, expressed, pour forth upon us, as they flow, Rain from the heavens apd hero strength.

25 Urged forward o’er the ox-hide flows the Lovely One of tawny hue, Lauded by Jamadagni’s song.

26 Like horses urged to speed, the drops, bright, stirring vital power, when blent

With milk, are beautified in streams.

27 So they who toil with juices send thee forward for the Gods’ repast: So with this splendour flow thou on.

28 We choose to-day that chariot-steed of thine, the Strong, that brings us bliss, The Guardian, the desire of all,

29 The Excellent, the Gladdener, the Sage with heart that understands, The Guardian, the desire of all;

30 Who for ourselves, O thou Most Wise, is wealth and fair intelligence, The Guardian, the desire of all.

[09-066] HYMN LXVI. Soma Pavamana.

1. FOR holy lore of every sort, flow onward thou whom all men love. A Friend to be besought by friends.

2 O’er all thou rulest with these Two which, Soma Pavamana, stand, Turned, as thy stations, hitherward.

3 Wise Soma Pavamana, thou encompassest on every side

Thy stations as the seasons come.

4 Flow onward, generating food, for precious boons of every kind, A Friend for friends, to be our help.

5 Upon the lofty ridge of heaven thy bright rays with their essences, Soma, spread purifying power.

6 O Soma, these Seven Rivers flow, as being thine, to give command: The Streams of milk run forth to thee.

7 Flow onward, Soma in a stream, effused to gladden Indra’s heart,

Bringing imperishable fame.

8 Driving thee in Vivasvan’s course, the Seven Sisters with their hymns

Made melody round thee the Sage.

9 The virgins deck thee o’er fresh streams to drive thee to the sieve when thou, A singer, bathest in the wood.

10 The streams of Pavamana, thine, Sage, Mighty One, have pouredthem forth. Like coursers eager for renown.

11 They have been poured upon the fleece towards the meath-distilling vat: The holy songs have sounded forth.

12 Like milch-kine coming home, the drops of Soma juice have reached the lake, Have reached the place of sacrifice.

13 O Indu, to our great delight the running waters flow to us, When thou wilt robe thyself in milk.

14 In this thy friendship, and with thee to help us, fain to sacrifice, Indu, we crave thy friendly love.

15 Flow on, O Soma, for the great Viewer of men, for gain of Idne

Enter thou into Indra’s throat.

16 Best art thou, Soma, of the great, Strongest of strong ones, Indu: thou

As Warrior ever hast prevailed.

17 Mightier even than the strong, more valiant even than the brave, More libpral than the bountiful,

18 Soma, as Sura, bring us food, win offspring of our bodies: we

Elect thee for our friendship, we elect thee for companionship.

19 Agni, thou pourest life; send down upon us food and vigorous strength; Drive thou misfortune far away,

20 Agni is Pavamana, Sage, Chief Priest of all the Races Five: To him whose wealth is great we pray.

21 Skilled in thy task, O Agni, pour splendour with hero strength on us, Granting me wealth that nourishes.

22 Beyond his enemies away to sweet praise Pavamana flows, Like Surya visible to all.

23 Adorned by living men, set forth for entertainment, rich in food, Far-sighted Indu is a Steed.

24 He, Pavamana, hath produced the lofty Law, the brilliant light, Destroying darkness black of hue.

25 From tawny Pavamana, the Destroyer, radiant streams have sprung, Quick streams from him whose gleams are swift.

26 Best rider of the chariot, praised with fairest praise mid beauteous ones, Gold-gleaming with the Marut host,

27 May Pavamana, best to win the booty, penetrate with rays, Giving the singer hero strength.

28 Over the fleecy sieve hath flowed the drop effused: to Indra comes

Indu while he is purified

29 This Soma, through the pressing-stones, is sporting on the oxhide, and

Summoning Indra to the draught.

30 O Pavamana, bless us, so that we may live, with that bright milk

Of thine which hath been brought from heaven.

[09-067] HYMN LXVII. Soma and Others.

1. THOU, Soma, hast a running stream, joyous, most strong at sacrifice: Flow bounteously bestowing wealth.

2 Effused as cheerer of the men, flowing best gladdener, thou art

A Prince to Indra with thy juice.

3 Poured forth by pressing-stones, do thou with loud roar send us in a stream

Most excellent illustrious might.

4 Indu, urged forward, floweth through the fleecy cloth: the Tawny One

With his loud roar hath brought as strength.

5 Indu, thou flowest through the fleece, bringing felicities and fame, And, Soma, spoil and wealth in kine.

6 Hither, O Indu, bring us wealth in steeds and cattle hundredfold: Bring wealth, O Soma, thousandfold.

7 In purifying, through the sieve the rapid drops of’Soma juice

Come nigh to Indra in their course.

8 For Indra floweth excellent Indu, the noblest Soma juice

The Living for the Living One.

9 The glittering maids send Sura forth they with their song have sung aloud

To Pavamana dropping meath.

10 May Pusan, drawn by goats, be our protector, and on all his paths

Bestow on us our share of maids.

11 This Soma flows like gladdening oil for him who wears the braided locks: He shall give us our share of maids.

12 This Soma juice, O glowing God, flows like pure oil, effused for thee: He shall give us our share of maids.

13 Flow onward, Soma, in thy stream, begetter of the sages’ speech: Wealth-giver among Gods art thou.

14 The Falcon dips within the jars: he wrap.him in his robe and goes

Loud roaring to the vats of wood.

15 Soma, thy juice hath been effused and poured into the pitcher: like

A rapid hawk it rushes on.

16 For Indra flow most rich in sweets, O Soma, bringing him delight.

17 They were sent forth to feast the Gods, like chariots that display their strength.

18 Brilliant, best givers of delight, these juices have sent Vayu forth.

19 Bruised by the press-stones and extolled, Soma, thou goest to the sieve, Giving the worshipper hero strength.

20 This juice bruised by the pressing-stones and lauded passes through the sieve, Slayer of demons, through the fleece.

21 O Pavamana, drive away the danger, whether near at hand

Or far remote, that finds me here.

22 This day may Pavamana cleanse us with his purifying power, Most active purifying Priest.

23 O Agni, with the cleansing light diffused through all thy fiery glow, Purify thou this prayer of ours.

24 Cleanse us with thine own cleansing power, O Agni, that is bright with flame, And by libations poured to thee.

25 Savitar, God, by both of these, libation, purifying power, Purify me on every side.

26 Cleanse us, God Savitar, with Three, O Soma, with sublimest forms, Agni, with forms of power and might.

27 May the Gods’ company make me clean, and Vasus make rue pure by song. Purify me, ye General Gods; O Jatavedas, make me pure.

28 Fill thyself full of juice, flow forth, O Soma, thou with all thy stalks,

The best oblation to the Gods.

29 We with our homage have approached the Friend who seeks our wondering praise, Young, strengthener of the solemn rite.

30 Lost is Alayya’s axe. O Soma, God do thou send it back hither in thy flow

Even, Soma, God, if ’twere a mole.

31 The man who reads the essence stored by saints, the Pavamani hymns, Tastes food completely purified, made sweet by Matarisvan’s touch.

32 Whoever reads the essence stored by saints, the Pavamani hymns, Sarasvati draws forth for him water and butter, milk and meath.

[09-068] HYMN LXVIII. Soma Pavamana.

1. THE drops of Soma juice like cows who yield their milk have flowed forth, rich in meath, unto the

Shining One,

And, seated on the grass, raising their voice, assumed the milk, the covering robe wherewith the udders stream.

2 He bellows with a roar arourd the highest twigs: the Tawny One is sweetened as he breaks them up.

Then passing through the sieve into the ample room, the God throws off the dregs according to his wish.

3 The gladdening drink that measured out the meeting Twins fills full with milk the Eternal Ever- waxing Pair.

Bringing to light the Two great Regions limitless, moving above them he gained sheen that never fades.

4 Wandering through, the Parents, strengthening the floods, the Sage makes his place swell with his own native might.

The stalk is mixed with grain: he comes led by the men together with the sisters, and preserves the

Head.

5 With energetic intellect the Sage is born, deposited as germ of Law, far from the Twins. They being young at first showed visibly distinct the Creature that is half-concealed and half-

exposed.

6 The sages knew the form of him the Gladdener, what time the Falcon brought the plant from far away.

Him who assures success they beautified in streams, the stalk who yearned therefor, mighty and meet for praise.

7 Together with the Rsis, with their prayers and hymns ten women deck thee, Soma, friendly when effused.

Led by the men, with invocations of the Gods, through the fleece, thou hast given us strength to win the spoil.

8 Songs resonant with praise have celebrated him. Soma, Friend, springing forth with his fair company.

Even him who rich in meath, with undulating stream, Winnner of Wealth, Immortal, sends his voice from heaven,

9 He sends it into all the region forth from heaven. Soma, while he is filtcred, settles in the jars.

With milk and waters is he decked when pressed with stones: Indu, when purified, shall find sweet rest and room.

10 Even thus poured forth How on thy way, O Soma, vouchsafing us most manifold lively vigour. We will invoke benevolent Earth and Heaven. Give us, ye Gods, riches with noble heroes.

[09-069] HYMN LXIX. Soma Pavamana.

1. LAID like an arrow on the bow the hymn hath been loosed like a young calf to the udder of its dam. As one who cometh first with full stream she is milked the Soma is impelled to this man’s holy rites.

2 The thought is deeply fixed; the savoury juice is shed; the tongue with joyous sound is stirring in the mouth;

And Pavamana, like the shout of combatants, the drop rising in sweet juice, is flowing through the fleece.

3 He flows about the sheep-skin, longing for a bride: he looses Aditi’s Daughters for the worshipper. The sacred drink hath come, gold-tinted, well-restrained: like a strong Bull he shines, whetting his

manly might.

4 The Bull is bellowing; the Cows are coming nigh: the Goddesses approach the God’s own resting- place.

Onward hath Soma passed through the sheep’s fair bright fleece, and hath, as ’twere, endued a garment newly washed.

5 The golden-hued, Immortal, newly bathed, puts on a brightly shining vesture that is never harmed. He made the ridge of heaven to be his radiant robe, by sprinkling of the bowls from moisture of the

sky.

6 Even as the beams of Surya, urging men to speed, that cheer and send to sleep, together rush they forth,

These swift outpourings in long course of holy rites: no form save only Indra shows itself so pure.

7 As down the steep slope of a river to the vale, drawn from the Steer the swift strong draughts have found a way.

Well be it with the men and cattle in our home. May powers, O Soma, may the people stay with us.

8 Pour out upon us wealth in goods, in gold, in steeds, in cattle and in corn, and great heroic strength. Ye, Soma, are my Fathers, lifted up on high as heads of heaven and makers of the strength of life.

9 These Pavamanas here, these drops of Soma, to Indra have sped forth like cars to booty.

Effused, they pass the cleansing fleece, while, gold-hued, they cast their covering off to pour the rain down.

10 O Indu, flow thou on for lofty Indra, flow blameless, very gracious, foe-destroyer.

Bring splendid treasures to the man who lauds thee. O Heaven and Earth, with all the Gods protect. us.

[09-070] HYMN LXX. Soma Pavamana.

1. THE three times seven Milch-kine in the eastern heaven have for this Soma poured the genuine milky draught.

Four other beauteous Creatures hath he made for his adornment, when he waxed in strength through holy rites.

2 Longing for lovely Amrta, by his wisdom he divided, each apart from other, earth and heaven.

He gladly wrapped himself in the most lucid floods, when through their glory they found the God’s resting-place.

3 May those his brilliant rays he ever free from death, inviolate, for both classes of created things,- Rays wherewith powers of men and Gods are purified. Yea, even for this have sageswelcomed him as

King.

4 He, while he is adorned by the ten skilful ones, that he too in the Midmost Mothers may create, While he is watching o’er the lovely Amrta’s ways, looks on both races as Beholder of mankind.

5 He, while he is adorned to stream forth mighty strength, rejoices in his place between the earth and heaven.

The Steer dispels the evil-hearted with his might, aiming at offerings as an archer at the game.

6 Beholding, as it were, Two Mother Cows, the Steer goes roaring on his way even as the Maruts roar.

Knowing Eternal Law, the earliest light of heaven, he, passing wise, was chosen out to tell it forth.

7 The fearful Bull is bellowing with violent might, far-sighted, sharpening his yellowcoloured horns. Soma assumes his seat in the well-fashioned place: the cowhide and the sheepskin are his ornament.

8 Bright, making pure his body free from spot and stain, on the sheep’s back the Golden-coloured hath flowed down.

Acceptable to Mitra, Vayu, Varuna, he is prepared as threefold meal by skilful men.

9 Flow on for the God’s banquet, Soma, as a Steer, and enter Indra’s heart, the Soma’s reservoir.

Bear us beyond misfortune ere we be oppres. sed. the man who knows the land directs the man who asks.

10 Urged like a car-steed flow to strength, O Soma: Indu, flow onward to the throat of Indra. Skilled, bear us past, as in a boat o’er water: as battling Hero save us from the foeman.

[09-071] HYMN LXXI. Soma Pavamana,

1. THE guerdon is bestowed: the Mighty takes his Seat, and, ever-Watchful, guards from fiend and evil sprite.

Gold-hued, he makes the cloud his diadem, the milk his carpet in both worlds, and prayer his robe of state.

2 Strong, bellowing, he goes, like one who slays the folk; he lets this hue of Asuras flow off from him, Throws off his covering, seeks his father’s meeting-place, and thus makes for himself the bright robe

he assumes.

3 Onward he flows, from both the hands, pressed out with stones: excited by the prayer, the water makes him wild.

He frolics and draws near, completes his work with song, and bathes in streams to satisfy the worshipper.

4 They pour out meath around the Master of the house, Celestial Strengthener of the mountain that gives might;

In whom, through his great powers, oblation-eating cows in their uplifted udder mix their choicest milk.

5 They, the ten sisters, on the lap of Aditi, have sent him forward like a car from both the arms.

He wanders and comes near the Cow’s mysterious place, even the place which his inventions have produced.

6 Like as a falcon to his home, so speeds the God to his own golden wisely-tashioned place to rest. With song they urge the darling to the sacred grass: the Holy One goes like a courser to the Gods.

7 From far away, from heaven, the redhued noted Sage, Steer of the triple height, hath sung unto the kine.

With thousand guidings he, leading this way and that, shines, as a singer, splendidly through many a morn.

8 His covering assumes a radiant hue; where’er he comes into the fight he drives the foe afar.

The Winner of the Floods, with food he seeks the host of heaven, he comes to praises glorified with milk.

9 Like a bull roaming round the herds he bellows: he hath assumed the brilliancy of Surya.

Down to the earth hath looked the heavenly Falcon: Soma with wisdom views all living creatures.

[09-072] HYMN LXXII. Soma Pavamana.

1. THEY cleanse the Gold-hued: like a red Steed is he yoked, and Soma in the jar is mingled with the milk.

He sendeth out his voice, and many loving friends of him the highly lauded hasten with their songs.

2 The many sages utter words in unison, while into Indra’s throat they pour the Soma juice,

When, with the ten that dwell together closely joined, the men whose hands are skilful cleanse the lovely meath.

3 He goes upon his way, unresting, to the cows, over the roaring sound which Sarya’s Daughter loves.

The Falcon brought it to him for his own delight: now with the twofold kindred sisters is his home.

4 Washed by the men, stone-pressed, dear on the holy grass, faithful to seasons, Lord of cattle from of old,

Most liberal, completing sacrifice for men, O Indra, pure bright Soma, Indu, flows for thee.

5 O Indra, urged by arms of men and poured in streams, Soma flows on for thee after.his Godlike kind. Plans thou fulfillest, gatherest thoughts for sacrifice: in the bowls sits the Gold-hued like a roosting

bird.

6 Sages well-skilled in work, intelligent, drain out the stalk that roars, the Sage, the Everlasting One. The milk, the hymns unite them with him in the place of sacrifice, his seat who is produced anew.

7 Earth’s central point, sustainer of the mighty heavens, distilled into the streams, into the waters’ wave,

As Indra’s thunderbolt, Steer with farspreading wealth, Soma is flowing on to make the heart rejoice.

8 Over the earthly region flow thou on thy way, helping the praiser and the pourer, thou Most Wise. Let us not lack rich treasure reaching to our home, and may we clothe ourselves in manifold bright

wealth.

9 Hither, O Indu, unto us a hundred gifts of steeds, a thousand gifts of cattle and of gold,

Measure thou forth, yea, splendid ample strengthening food do thou, O Pavamana, heed this laud of ours.

[09-073] HYMN LXXIII. Soma Pavamana.

1. THEY from the spouting drop have sounded at the rim: naves speed together to the place of sacrifice.

That Asura hath formed, to seize, three lofty heights. The ships of truth have borne the pious man across.

2 The strong Steers, gathering, have duly stirred themselves,and over the stream’s wave the friends sent forth the song.

Engendering the hymn, with flowing streams of meath, Indra’s dear body have they caused to wax in strength.

3 With sanctifying gear they sit around the song: their ancient Father guards their holy work from harm.

Varuna hath o’erspread the mighty sea of air. Sages had power to hold him in sustaining floods.

4 Sweet-tongued, exhaustless, they have sent their voices down togetlier, in heaven’s vault that pours a thousand streams.

His wildly-restless warders never close an eye: in every place are found the bonds that bind man last.

5 O’er Sire and Mother they have roared in unison bright with the verse of praise, burning up riteless men,

Blowing away with supernatural might from earth and from the heavens the swarthy skin which

Indra hates.

6 Those which, as guides of song and counsellors of speed, were manifested from their ancient dwelling place,-

From these the eyeless and the deaf have turned aside: the wicked travel not the pathway of the

Law.

7 What time the filter with a thousand streams is stretched, the thoughtful sages purify their song therein.

Bright-coloured are their spies, vigorous, void of guile, excellent, fair to see, beholders of mankind.

8 Guardian of Law, most wise, he may not be deceived: three Purifiers hath he set within his heart. With wisdom he beholds all creatures that exist: he drives into the pit the hated riteliess ones.

9 The thread of sacrifice spun in the cleansing sieve, on Varuna’s tongue-tip, by supernatural might,- This, by their striving, have the prudent ones attained: he who hath not this power shall sink into the

pit.

[09-074] HYMN LXXIV. Soma Pavamana

1. BORN like a youngling he hath clamoured in the wood, when he, the Red, the Strong, would win the light of heaven.

He comes with heavenly seed that makes the water swell: him for wide-spreading shelter we implore with prayer.

2 A far-extended pillar that supports the sky the Soma-stalk, filled full, moves itself every way. He shall bring both these great worlds while the rite proceeds: the Sage holds these who move!

together and all food.

3 Wide space hath he who follows Aditi’s right path, and mighty, well-made food, meath blent with

Soma juice;

He who from hence commands the rain, Steer of the kine, Leader of floods, who helps us hence, who claims our laud.

4 Butter and milk are drawn from animated cloud; thence Amrta is produced, centre of sacrifice

Hini the Most Bounteous Ones, ever united, love; him as ouir Friend the Men who make all swell rain down.

5 The Soma-stalk hath roared, following with the wave: he swells with sap for man the skin which

Gods enjoy.

Upon the lap of Aditi he lays the germ, by means whereof we gain children and progeny.

6 In the third region which distils a thousand streams, may the Exhaustless Ones descend with procreant power.

The kindred Four have been sent downward from the heavens: dropping with oil they bring Amrta and sacred gifts.

7 Soma assumes white colour when he strives to gain: the bounteous Asura knows full many a precious boon.

Down the steep slope, through song, he comes to sacrifice, and he will burst the water-holding cask of heaven,

8 Yea, to the shining milk-anointed beaker, as to his goal, hath stepped the conquering Courser. Pious-souled men have sent their giffi of cattle unto Kaksivan of the hundred winters.

9 Soma, thy juice when thou art blended with the streams, flows, Pavamana, through the long wool of the sheep.

So, cleansed by sages. O best giver of delight, grow sweet for Indra, Pavamana! for his drink.

[09-075] HYMN LXXV. Soma Pavamana.

1. GRACIOUSLY-MINDED he is flowing on his way to win dear names o’er which the Youthful One grows great.

The Mighty and Far-seeing One hath mounted now the mighty Surya’s car which moves to every side.

2 The Speaker, unassailable Master of this hymn, the Tongue of sacrifice pours forth the pleasant meath.

Within the lustrous region of the heavens the Son makes the third secret name of Mother and of Sire.

3 Sending forth flashes he hath bellowed to the jars, led by the men into the golden reservoir.

The milky streams of sacrifice have sung to him: he of the triple height shines brightly through the morns.

4 Pressed by the stones, with hymns, and graciously inclined, illuminating both the Parents, Heaven and Earth,

He flows in ordered season onward through the flee, a current of sweet juice still swelling day by day.

5 Flow onward, Soma, flow to bring prosperity: cleansed by the men, invest thee with the milky draught.

What gladdening drinks thou hast, foaming, exceeding strong, even with these incite Indra to give us wealth.

[09-076] HYMN LXXVI. Soma Pavamana.

1. ON flows the potent juice, sustainer of the heavens, the strength of Gods, whom men must hail with shouts of joy.

The Gold-hued, started like a courser by brave men, impetuously winneth splendour in the streams.

2 He takes his weapons, like a hero, in his hands, fain to win light, car-borne, in forays for the kine. Indu, while stimulating India’s might, is urged forward and balmed by sages skilful in their task.

3 Soma, as thou art purified with flowing wave, exhibiting thy strength enter thou Indra’s throat. Make both worlds stream for us, as lightning doth the clouds: mete out exhaustless powers for us, as

’twere through song.

4 Onward he flows, the King of all that sees the light: the Rsis’ Lord hath raised the song of sacrifice; Even he who is adorned with Surya’s arrowy beam, Father of hymns, whose wisdom is beyond our

reach.

5 Like as a bull to herds, thou flowest to the pail, bellowing as a steer upon the water’s lap.

So, best of Cheerers, thou for Indra flowest on that we, with thy protection, may o’ercome in fight.

[09-077] HYMN LXXVII. Soma Pavamana.

1. MORE beauteous than the beautiful, as Indra’s bolt, this Soma, rich in sweets, hath clamoured in the vat.

Dropping with oil, abundant, streams of sacrifice flow unto him like milch-kine, lowing, with their milk.

2 On flows that Ancient One whom, hitherward, from heaven, sped through the region of the air, the

Falcon snatched.

He, quivering with alarm and terrified in heart before bow-armed Krsanu, holdeth fast the sweet.

3 May those first freshest drops of Soma juice effused flow on, their way to bring us mighty strength in kine.

Beauteous as serpents, worthy to be looked upon, they whom each sacred gift and all our prayers have pleased.

4 May that much-lauded Indu, with a heart inclined to us, well-knowing, fight against our enemies. He who hath brought the germ beside the Strong One’s seat moves onward to the widely-opcned

stall of kine.

5 The active potent juice of heaven is flowing on, great Varuna whom the forward man can ne’er deceive.

Mitra, the Holy, hath been pressed for troubled times, neighing like an impatient horse amid the herd,

[09-078] HYMN LXXVIII. Soma Pavamana.

1. RAISING his voice the King hath flowed upon his way: invested with the waters he would win the kine.

The fleece retains his solid parts as though impure, and bright and cleansed he seeks the special place of Gods.

2 Thou, Soma, art effused for Indra by the men, balmed in the wood as wave, Sage, Viewer of mankind.

Full many are the paths whereon thou mayest go: a thousand bay steeds hast thou resting in the bowls.

3 Apsarases who dwell in waters of the sea, sitting within, have flowed to Soma wise of heart. They urge the Master of the house upon his way, and to the Eternal Pavamana pray for bliss.

4 Soma flows on for u’s as winner of the kine, winner of thousands, cars, water, and light, and gold; He whom the Gods have made a gladdening draught to drink, the drop most sweet to taste, weal-

bringing, red of hue.

5 Soma, as Pavamana thou, our faithful Friend, making for us these real treasures, flowest on. Slay thou the enemy both near and,far away: grant us security and ample pasturage.

[09-079] HYMN LXXIX. Soma Pavamana.

1. SPONTANEOUS let our drops of Soma juice flow on, pressed, golden-hued, among the Gods of lofty heaven.

Perish among us they who give no gifts of food! perish the godless! May our prayers obtain success.

2 Forward to us the drops, distilling meath, shall flow, like riches for whose sake we urge the horses on.

Beyond the crafty hindering of all mortal men may we continually bear precious wealth away.

3 Yea, yerily, foe of hate shown to himself is he, yea, verity, destroyer too of other hate. As thirst subdueth in the desert, conquer thou, O Soma Pavarnana, men of evil thoughts.

4 Near kin to thee is he, raised loftiest in the heavens: upon the earth’s high ridge thy scions have grown forth.

The press-stones chew and crunch thee on the ox’s hide: sages have milked thee with their hands into the streams.

5 So do they hurry on thy strong and beauteous juice, O Indu, as the first ingredient of the draught. Bring low, thou Pavamana, every single foe, and be thy might shown forth as sweet and gladdening

drink.

[09-080] HYMN LXXX. Soma Pavamana.