Sama Veda on Courage

I. For Indra flow, thou Soma, on, as most inspiring drink, exceeding rich in sweets. Great, most celestial, gladdening drink! 2. Make high and splendid glory shine hitherward, Lord of food, God, on the friend of Gods: Unclose the cask of middle air! 3. Press ye and pour him, like a steed, laud-worthy, speeding through the region and the flood, Who swims in water, dwells in wood! 4. Him, even this Steer who milks the heavens, him with a thousand streams, distilling rapturous Him who brings all things excellent. 5. Effused is he who brings good things, who brings us store of' wealth and sweet refreshing Soma who brings us quiet homes. 6. For, verily, Pavamana, thou, divine! endued with brightest splendour calling all Creatures to immortality. 7. Effused, he floweth in a stream, best rapture-giver, in the longwool of the sheep, Sporting, as 'twere the waters' wave. 8. He who from out the rocky cavern with his might took forth the red-refulgent cows-- Thou drewest to thyself the stall of kine and steeds: burst it, brave Lord, like one in mail; yea, burst it, O brave Lord, like one in mail! PART SECOND

1. The singers hymn thee, they who chant the psalm of praise are lauding thee. The Brahmans have exalted thee, O Satakratu, like a pole. 2. All sacred-songs have magnified Indra expansive as the sea, Best of all warriors borne on cars, the Lord of heroes, Lord of strength. 3. This poured libation, Indra, drink, immortal, gladdening, excellent: Streams of the bright have flowed to thee here at the seat of holy Law. 4. Stone-darting Indra, wondrous God, what wealth thou hast not given me here, That bounty, treasure-finder! bring, filling full both thy hands, to us! 5. O Indra, hear Tiraschi's call, the call of him who serveth thee! Satisfy him with wealth of kine and valiant offspring! Great art thou. 6. This Soma hath been pressed for thee, O Indra: bold one, mightiest, come! May Indra-vigour fill thee full, as Surya fills mid-air with rays 7. Come hither, Indra, with thy bays, come thou to Kanva's eulogy! Ye by command of yonder Dyaus, God bright by day! have gone to heaven. 8. Song-lover! like a charioteer come songs to thee when Soma flows. Together, they have called to thee as mother-kine unto their calves. 9. Come now and let us glorify pure Indra with pure Sama hymn! Let milk-blent juice delight him made stronger with pure, pure songs of praise! 10. That which, most wealthy, makes you rich, in splendours most illustrious, Soma is pressed: thy gladdening drink, Indra libation's Lord! is this.

1. Hither, for powerful kinship, I call Agni, him who prospers you, Most frequent at our solemn rites. 2. May Agni with his pointed blaze cast down each fierce devouring fiend: May Agni win us wealth by war! 3. Agni, be gracious; thou art great: thou hast approached the pious man, Hast come to sit on sacred grass. 4. Agni, preserve us,from distress consume our enemies, O God, Eternal, with thy hottest flames 5. Harness, O Agni, O thou God, thy steeds which are most excellent! The fleet ones bring thee rapidly. 6. Lord of the tribes, whom all must seek, we worshipped Agni set thee down, Refulgent, rich in valiant men. 7. Agni is head and height of heaven, the master of the earth is he He quickeneth the waters' seed. 8. O Agni, graciously announce this our good fortune of the Gods, And this our newest hymn of praise! 9, By song, O Agni, Angiras! Gopavana hath brought thee forth Hear thou my call, refulgent one! 10. Agni, the Sage, the Lord of Strength, hath moved around the sacred gifts, Giving the offerer precious things. 11. His heralds bear him up aloft, the God who knoweth all that lives, The Sun, that all may look on him. 12, Praise Agni in the sacrifice, the Sage whose holy laws are true The God who driveth grief away. 13. Kind be the Goddesses to lend us help, and kind that we may drink: May their streams bring us health and wealth 14. Lord of the brave, whose songs dost thou in thine abundance now inspire, Thou whose hymns help to win the kine?

1. The juice of Soma thus diffused, sweet to the taste the bright cows drink, Who travelling in splendour close to mighty Indra's side rejoice, good in their own supremacy. 2. Thus hath the Soma, gladdening draught, produced the prayer that giveth joy: Thou, mightiest, Thunder-armed, hast driven by force the Dragon from the earth, lauding thine own supremacy. 3. By men hath Indra been advanced, the Vritra-slayer, to joy and strength. Him only we invoke for help in battles whether great or small: be he our aid in deeds of might! 4. Unconquered strength is only thine, Indra, Stonecaster, Thunder-armed! When thou with thy surpassing power smotest to death that guileful beast, lauding thine own supremacy. 5. Go forward, meet the foe, be bold; thy bolt of thunder is not checked! Manliness, Indra, is thy strength. Slay Vritra, make the waters thine, lauding thine own supremacy! 6. When war and battles are on foot, booty is offered to the bold. Yoke thou thy wildly-rushing bays. Whom wilt thou slay, and whom enrich? Do thou, O Indra, make us rich! 7. Wcll have they eaten and rejoiced; the friends have risen and passed away: The sages luminous in themselves have praised thee with their latest hymn. Now, Indra, yoke thy two bay steeds! 8. Graciously listen to our songs. Maghavan, be not negligent! When wilt thou make us glorious? Make this, only this thine end and aim. Now, Indra! yoke thy two bay steeds. 9. Within the waters runs the Moon, he with the beauteous wings in heaven. Ye lightnings with your golden wheels, men find not your abiding-place. Mark this my woe, ye Earth and Sky! 10. To meet your treasure-bringing car, the mighty car most dear to us. Asvins, the Rishi is prepared, your worshipper, with songs of praise. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call!

1. This vigorous one whom deities commission, the conqueror of cars, the strong and mighty, Swift, fleet to battle, with uninjured fellies, even Tarkshya for our weal will we call hither. 2. Indra the rescuer, Indra the helper, hero who listens at each invocation, Sakra I call, Indra invoked of many. May Indra Maghavan accept our presents! 3. Indra whose right hand wields the bolt we worship, driver of bay steeds seeking sundered courses. Shaking his beard with might he hath arisen, terrible with his weapons, with his bounty. 4. The ever-slaying, bold and furious Indra, the bright bolt's Lord, the strong, the great, the boundless, Who slayeth Vritra and acquireth booty, giver of blessings, Maghavan the bounteous. 5. The man who lies in wait and fights against us, deeming himself a giant or a hero,-- By battle or with strength destroy him, Indra! With thy help, manly-souled! may we be victors! 6. He whom men call when striving with their foemen, or speeding onward in array of battle, Whom bards incite where heroes win the booty, or in the way to waters, He is Indra. 7. On a high car, O Parvata and Indra, bring pleasant viands, with brave heroes, hither! Enjoy our presents, Gods, at sacrifices: wax strong by hymns, rejoice in our oblation! 8. In ceaseless flow hath he poured forth his praises, as waters from the ocean's depth, to Indra, Who to his car on both its sides securely hath fixed the earth and heaven as with an axle. 9. May our friends turn thee hitherward to friendship! Mayst thou approach us even o'er many rivers! May the Disposer, radiant in this mansion with special lustre, bring the father's offspring! 10. Who yokes to-day unto the pole of Order the strong and passionate steers of checkless spirit, Health-bringing, bearing in their mouths no fodder? Long shall he live who richly pays their service.

1. Observant Agni hath appeared, oblation-bearer with his car. 2. O Agni, be our nearest friend, yea, our protector and our kind deliverer! 3. Like wondrous Bhaga, Agni deals treasure among the mighty. 4. Far off or present even now, send forth thy shouting first of all! 5. Dawn drives away her sister's gloom, and through her excellence makes her retrace her path. 6. May we, with Indra and the Gods to aid us, bring these existing worlds to full completion! 7. Like streams of water on their way, let bounties, Indra, flow from thee! 8. With this may we obtain strength god-appointed, happy with brave sons through a hundred winters! 9. With strength let Mitra, Varuna swell oblations; do thou prepare for us rich food, O Indra! 10. Indra is King of all the world.

1. Sing forth to him the holy, most munificent, sublime with his refulgent glow, To Agni, ye Upastutas 2. Agni, he conquers by thine aid that brings him store of valiant sons and does great deeds, Whose bond of friendship is thy choice 3. Sing praise to him the Lord of light! The Gods have made the God to be their messenger, To bear oblation to the Gods. 4. Anger not him who is our guest! He is the bright God Agni, praised by many a man, God Hotar, skilled in sacrifice. 5. May Agni, worshipped, bring us bliss: may the gift, blessed one! and sacrifice bring bliss. Yea, may our eulogies bring bliss. 6. Thee have we chosen skilfullest in sacrifice, immortal Priest among the Gods, Wise finisher of this holy rite. 7. Bring us that splendour, Agni, which may overcome each greedy fiend in our abode, And the malicious wrath of men! 8. Soon as the eager Lord of men is friendly unto Manu's race Agni averteth from us all the Rakshasas!

1. Sing this, beside the flowing juice, to him your hero, much-invoked, To please him as a mighty Bull 2. O Satakratu Indra, now rejoice with that carouse of thine Which is most glorious of all! 3. Ye cows, protect the fount: the two mighty ones bless the sacrifice. The handles twain are wrought of gold. 4. Sing praises that the horse may come; sing, Srutakaksha, that the cow May come, that Indra's might may come 5. We make this Indra very strong to strike, the mighty Vritra dead: A vigorous hero shall he be. 6. Based upon strength and victory and power, O Indra, is thy birth: Thou, mighty one! art strong indeed, 7. The sacrifice made Indra great when he unrolled the earth, and made Himself a diadem in heaven. 8. If I, O Indra, were, like thee, the single ruler over wealth My worshipper should be rich in kine. 9. Pressers, blend Soma juice for him, each draught most excellent, for him The brave, the hero, for his joy. 10. Here is the Soma juice expressed. O Vasu, drink till thou art full: Undaunted God, we give it thee

1. So, Lord of affluent gifts, this juice hath been expressed for thee with strength: Drink of it, thou who lovest song! 2. Great is our Indra from of old; greatness be his, the Thunderer Wide as the heaven extends his might. 3. Indra, as one with mighty arm, gather for us with thy right hand Manifold and nutritious spoil! 4. Praise, even as he is known, with song Indra the guardian of the kine, The Son of Truth, Lord of the brave. 5. With what help will he come to us, wonderful, ever-waxing friend? With what most mighty company? 6. Thou speedest down to succour us this ever-conquering God of yours Him who is drawn to all our songs. 7. To the assembly's wondrous Lord, the lovely friend of Indra, I Had prayed for wisdom and successs. 8. May all thy paths beneath the sky whereby thou speddest Vyasva on, Yea, let all spaces hear our voice 9. Bring to us all things excellent, O Satakratu, food and strength, For, Indra, thou art kind to us! 10. Here is the Soma ready pressed: of this the Maruts, yea, of this, Self-luminous the Asvins drink.

1. Pass by the wrathful offerer; speed the man who pours libation, drink The juice which he presents to thee! 2. What is the word addressed to him, God great and excellently wise? For this is what exalteth him. 3, His wealth who hath no store of kine hath ne'er found out recited laud, Nor song of praises that is sung. 4. Lord of each thing that giveth strength, Indra delighteth most in lauds, Borne by bay steeds, libations' friend. 5. With wealth to our libation come, be not thou angry with us, like A great man with a youthful bride. 6. When, Vasu, wilt thou love the laud? Now let the Channel bring the stream. The juice is ready to ferment. 7. After the Seasons. Indra, drink the Soma from the Brahman's gift: Thy friendship is invincible! S. O Indra, lover of the song, we are the singers of thy praise O Soma-drinker, quicken us! 9. O Indra, in each fight and fray give to our bodies manly strength: Strong Lord, grant ever-conquering might! 10. For so thou art the brave man's friend; a hero, too, art thou, and strong: So may thine heart be won to us!

1. Bring forth oblations to the God who knoweth all who fain would drink, The wanderer, lagging not behind the hero, coming nigh with speed! 2. To us the mighty, lying in all vital power, who resteth in the deep, who standeth in the east. Drive thou the awful word away. 3. Even as a car to give us aid, we draw thee nigh to favour us, Strong in thy deeds, quelling attack, Indra, Lord, mightiest! of the brave. 4. With powers of mighty ones hath he, the friend, the ancient, been equipped, Through whom our father Manu made prayers efficacious with the Gods. 5. What time the swift and shining steeds, yoked to the chariots, draw them on, Drinking the sweet delightful juice, there men perform their glorious acts. 6. Him for your sake I glorify as Lord of Strength who wrongeth none, Indra the hero, mightiest, all-conquering and omniscient. 7. I with my praise have glorified strong Dadhikravan, conquering steed Sweet may he make our mouths: may he prolong the days we have to live! 8. Render of forts, the young, the wise, of strength unmeasured, was he born, Sustainer of each sacred rite, Indra, the Thunderer, much-extolled.

1. Still, Indra, from all ancient time rivalless ever and companionless art thou: Thou seekest friendship but in war. 2. Him who of old hath broucht to us this and that blessing, him I magnify for you, Even Indra, O my friends, for help. 3. Fail not when marching onward: come hither, like-spirited, stay not far away Ye who can tame even what is firm! 4. Come hither to the dropping juice, O Lord of cornland. Lord of horses, Lord of kine: Drink thou the Soma, Soma's Lord! 5. Hero, may we, with thee for friend, withstand the man who pants against us in his wrath, In fight with people rich in kine! 6. Yea, kin by common ancestry, the Maruts, even the oxen, close united friends! Are licking one another's back. 7. O Indra, bring great strength to us, bring valour, Satakratu, thou most active, bring A hero conquering in war! 8. So, Indra, friend of song, do we draw nigh to thee with longing; we have streamed to thee Coming like floods that follow floods 9. Sitting like birds beside thy meath, mingled with milk, which gladdeneth and exalteth thee, Indra, to thee we sing aloud. 10. We call on thee, O matchless one! We, seeking help, possessing nothing firm ourselves, Call on thee, wondrous, Thunder-armed.

1. The God who giveth wealth accept your full libation poured to, him! Pour ye it out, then fill the vessel full again, for so the God regardeth you. 2. Let Brahmanaspati come forth, let Sunrita the Goddess come, And Gods bring to our rite which yields a fivefold gift the hero, lover of mankind! 3. Stand up erect to lend us aid, stand up like Savitar the God, Erect as strength-bestower when we call on thee with priests who balm our offerings! 4. The man who bringeth gifts to thee, bright God who fain wouldst lead to wealth, Winneth himself a brave son, Agni! skilled in lauds, one prospering in a thousand ways. 5. With hymns and holy eulogies we supplicate your Agni, Lord Of many families who duly serve the Gods, yea, him whom others too inflame. 6. This Agni is the Lord of great prosperity and hero, strength, Of wealth with noble offspring and with store of kine, the Lord of battles with the foe. 7. Thou, Agni, art the homestead's Lord, our Hotar-priest at sacrifice. Lord of all boons, thou art the Potar, passing wise. Pay worship, and enjoy the good! 8. We as thy friends have chosen thee, mortals a God, to be our help. The Waters' Child, the blessed, the most mighty one, swift conqueror, and without a peer.

1. Agni, thy faithful servant I call upon thee with many a gift, As in the keeping of the great inciting God. 2. To Agni, to the Hotar-priest offer your best, your lofty speech, To him ordainer-like who bears the light of songs. 3. O Agni, thou who art the lord of wealth in kine, thou Son of Strength, Bestow on us, O Jatavedas, high renown 4. Most skilled in sacrifice, bring the Gods, O Agni, to the pious, man: A joyful Priest, thy splendour drives our foes afar 5. Taught by seven mothers at his birth was he, for glory of the wise. He, firm and sure, hath set his mind on glorious wealth 6. And in the day our prayer is this: May Aditi come nigh to help, With loving-kindness bring us weal and chase our foes 7. Worship thou Jatavedas, pray to him who willingly accepts, Whose smoke wanders at will, and none may grasp his flame 8. No mortal man can e'er prevail by arts of magic over him Who hath served Agni well, the oblation-giving God. 9. Agni, drive thou the wicked foe, the evil-hearted thief away, Far, far, Lord of the brave! and give us easy paths! 10. O hero Agni, Lord of men, on hearing this new laud of mine Burn down the Rakshasas, enchanters, with thy flame!

I. When Somas flow thou makest pure, Indra, thy mind that merits laud For gain of strength that ever grows: for great is he. 2. Sing forth to him whom many men invoke, to him whom many laud: Invite the potent Indra with your songs of praise 3. We sing this strong and wild delight of thine which conquer; in the fray, Which, Caster of the Stone! gives room and shines like gold, 4. Whether thou drink the Soma by Vishnu's or Trita Aptya's side, Or with the Maruts, Indra! quaff the following drops. 5. Come, priest, and of the savoury juice pour forth a yet more gladdening draught: So is the hero praised who ever prospers us. 6. Pour out the drops for Indra; let him drink the meath of Soma juice! He through his majesty sends forth his bounteous gifts. 7. Come, sing we praise to Indra, friends! the hero who deserves the laud, Him who with none to aid o'ercomes all tribes of men. 8. Sing ye a psalm to Indra, sing a great song to the lofty Sage, To him who maketh prayer, inspired who loveth laud! 9. He who alone bestoweth wealth on mortal man who offereth gifts Is Indra only, potent Lord whom none resist. 10. Companions, let us learn a prayer to Indra, to the Thunderer, To glorify your bold and most heroic friend!

1. For first possession of your juice. for the exhilarating drink, Drive ye away the dog, my friends, drive ye the long-tongued dog away! 2. As Pushan. Fortune, Bhaga, comes this Soma while they make him pure. He, Lord of all the multitude, hath looked upon the earth and heaven. 3. The Somas, very rich in sweets, for which the sieve is destined,. flow Effused, the source of Indra's joy: may your strong juices reach the Gods! 4. For us the Soma juices flow, the drops best furtherers of weal, Effused as friends, without a spot, benevolent, finders of the. light. 5. Stream on us riches that are craved by hundreds, best at winning spoil, Riches, O Indu, thousandfold, most splendid, that surpass the light! 6. The guileless ones are singing praise to Indra's well-beloved friend, As, in the morning of its life, the mothers lick the new-born calf. 7. They for the bold and lovely one ply manly vigour like a bow; Bright, glad, in front of songs they spread to form a vesture for the Lord. 8. Him with ths fleece they purify, brown, golden-hued, beloved of all, Who with exhilarating juice goes forth to all the deities. 9. Let him, as mortal, crave this speech, for him who presses, of the juice, As Bhrigu's sons chased Makha, so drive ye the niggard hound away!

1. Bring us most mighty splendour thou, Agni, resistless on thy way: Prepare for us the path that leads to glorious opulence and strength! 2. May the brave man, if full of zeal he serve and kindle Agni's flame, Duly presenting sacred gifts, enjoy the Gods' protecting help. 3. Thy bright smoke lifts itself aloft, and far-extended shines in heaven, For, Purifier! like the Sun thou beamest with thy radiant glow. 4. Thou, Agni, even as Mitra, hast a princely glory of thine own. Bright, active God, thou makest fame increase like means of nourishment. 5. At dawn let Agni, much-beloved, guest of the house, be glorified, In whom, the everlasting one, all mortals make their offerings blaze. 6. Most moving song be Agni's: shine on high, O rich in radiant light! Like the chief consort of a King riches and strength proceed from thee. 7. Exerting all our strength with thoughts of power we glorify in speech Agni your dear familiar friend, the darling guest in every house. 8. His beam hath lofty power of life: sing praise to Agni, to the God Whom men have set in foremost place, like Mitra for their eulogy! 9. To noblest Agni, friend of man, chief Vritra-slayer, have we come- Who with Srutarvan, Riksha's son, in lofty presence is inflamed. 10. Born as the loftiest Law commands, comrade of those who grew with him. Agni, the sire of Kasyapa by faith, the mother, Manu, Sage.

1. No one by deed attains to him who works and strengthens evermore: No, not by sacrifice, to Indra. praised of all, resistless, daring, bold in might. 2 He without ligature, before making incision in the neck, Closed up the wound again, most wealthy Maghavan, who healeth the dissevered parts. 3. A thousand and a hundred steeds are harnessed to thy golden car: Yoked by devotion, Indra, let the long-maned bays bring thee to drink the Soma juice! 4. Come hither, Indra, with bay steeds, joyous, with tails like peacock's plumes! Let no men check thy course as fowlers stay the bird: pass o'er them as o'er desert lands! 5. Thou as a God, O mightiest, verily blessest mortal man. O Maghavan, there is no comforter but thou: Indra, I speak my words to thee. 6. O Indra, thou art far-renowned, impetuous Lord of power and might. Alone, the never-conquered guardian of mankind, thou smitest down resistless foes. 7. Indra for worship of the Gods, Indra while sacrifice proceeds, Indra, as warriors in the battle-shock, we call, Indra that we may win the spoil. 8. May these my songs of praise exalt thee, Lord, who hast abundant wealth! Men skilled in holy hymns, pure, with the hues of fire, have sung them with their lauds to thee. 9. These songs of ours exceeding sweet, these hymns of praise ascend to thee, Like ever-conquering chariots that display their strength gain wealth and give unfailing help. 10. Even as the wild-bull, when he thirsts, goes to the desert's watery pool, Come to us quickly both at morning and at eve, and with the Kanvas drink thy fill!

1. Indra, with all thy saving helps assist us, Lord of power and might! For after thee we follow even as glorious bliss, thee, hero, finderout of wealth. 2. O Indra, Lord of light, what joys thou broughtest from the Asuras, Prosper therewith, O Maghavan, him who lauds that deed, and those whose grass is trimmed for 3. To Aryaman and Mitra sing a reverent song, O pious one, A pleasant hymn to Varuna who shelters us: sing ye a laud unto the Kings! 4. Men with their lauds are urging thee, Indra, to drink the Soma first. The Ribhus in accord have lifted up their voice, and Rudras sung thee as the first. 5. Sing to your lofty Indra, sing, Maruts, a holy hymn of praise Let Satakratu, Vritra-slayer, slay the foe with hundred-knotted thunderbolt! 6. To Indra sing the lofty hymn, Maruts! that slays the Vritras best, Whereby the holy ones created for the God the light divine that ever wakes. 7. O Indra, give us wisdom as a sire gives wisdom to his sons Guide us, O much-invoked, in this our way: may we still live and look upon the light! 8. O Indra, turn us not away: be present with us at our feast For thou art our protection, yea, thou art our kin: O Indra, turn us not away! 9. We compass these like waters, we whose grass is trimmed and Soma pressed. Here where the filter pours its stream, thy worshippers round thee, O Vritra-slayer, sit. 10. All strength and valour that is found, Indra, in tribes of Nahushas, And all the splendid fame that the Five Tribes enjoy, bring, yea, all manly powers at once!

1. He who as sovran Lord of men moves with his chariots unrestrained, The Vritra-slayer, vanquisher of fighting hosts, pre-eminent, is praised in song. 2. Indra, give us security from that whereof we are afraid Help us, O Maghavan, let thy favour aid us thus; drive away foes and enemies! 3. Strong pillar thou, Lord of the home! armour of Soma-offerers! The drop of Soma breaketh all the strongholds down, and Indra is the Rishis' friend. 4. Verily, Surya, thou art great; truly, Aditya, thou art great! O most admired for greatness of thy majesty, God, by thy greatness thou art great! 5. Indra! thy friend, when fair of form and rich in chariots, steeds, and kine, Hath ever vital power that gives him strength, and joins the company with radiant men. 6. O Indra, if a hundred heavens and if a hundred earths were thine,-- No, not a hundred suns could match thee at thy birth, not both the worlds, O Thunderer! 7. Though, Indra, thou art called by men eastward and west ward, north and south, Thou chiefly art with Anava and Turvasa, brave champion urged by men to come. 8. Indra whose wealth is in thyself, what mortal will attack this man? The strong will win the spoil on the decisive day through faith in thee, O Maghavan! 9. First, Indra! Agni! hath this Maid come footless unto those with feet. Stretching her head and speaking loudly with her tongue, she hath gone downward thirty steps. 10. Come, Indra, very near to us with aids of firmly-based resolve Come, most auspicious, with thy most auspicious help; good kinsman, with good kinsmen come!

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 2. Spontaneous let our drops of Soma juice flow on, pressed out and tawny-coloured, mightily, to the Gods! Still let our enemies, the godless, be in want, though filled with food; and let our prayers obtain success! 3. Most beauteous of the beauteous, Indra's thunderbolt, this Soma, rich in sweets, hath clamoured in the vat. Dropping with oil, abundant, streams of sacrifice flow unto him, and milch-kine, lowing, with their milk. 4. Indu hath started forth for Indra's settled place, and slights not, as a friend, the promise of his friend. Soma comes onward like a youth with youthful maids, and gains the beaker by a course of hundred paths. 5. On flows the potent juice, sustainer of the heavens; the strength of Gods, whom men must hail with shouts of joy. Thou, gold-hued, started like a courser by brave men, art lightly showing forth thy splendour in the streams. 6. Far-seeing Soma flows, the Steer, the Lord of hymns, the furtherer of days, of mornings, and of heaven. Breath of the rivers, he hath roared into the jars, and with the help of sages entered Indra's heart. 7. The three-times seven milch-kine in the loftiest 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. 8. Flow on to indra, Soma, carefully effused: let sickness stay afar together with the fiend! Let not the double-tongued delight them with thy juice: here be thy flowing drops laden with opulence! 9. Even as a King hath Soma, red and tawny Bull, been pressed: the wondrous one hath bellowed to the kine. While purified thou passest through the filtering fleece to seat thee hawk-like on the place that drops with oil. 10.

1. Yea, verily thou art a Bull, our guardian, rushing like a bull: Thou, mighty one, art celebrated as a Bull, famed as a Bull both near and far. 2. Whether, O Sakra, thou be far, or, Vritra-slayer, near at hand, Thence by heaven-reaching songs he who bath pressed the juice invites thee with thy long- maned steeds. 3. In the wild raptures of the juice sing to your hero with high laud, to him the wise, To Indra glorious in his name, the mighty one, even as the hymn alloweth it! 4. O Indra, give us for our weal a triple refuge, triply strong! Bestow a dwelling-place on our rich lords and me, and keep thy dart afar from these! 5. Turning, as 'twere, to meet the Sun enjoy from Indra all good things! When he who will be born is born with power we look to treasures as our heritage. 6. The godless mortal gaineth not this food, O thou whose life is long! But one who yokes the bright-hued horses, Etasas; then Indra yokes his tawny steeds. 7. Draw near unto our Indra who must be invoked in every fight! Come, thou most mighty Vritra-slayer, meet for praise, come to, libations and to hymns! 8. Thine, Indra, is the lowest wealth, thou cherishest the midmost wealth, Thou ever rulest all the highest: in the fray for cattle none resisteth thee. 9. Where art thou? Whither art thou gone? For many a place attracts thy mind. Haste, warrior, fort-destroyer, Lord of battle's din! haste, holy songs have sounded forth! 10. Here, verily, yesterday we let the thunder-wielder drink his fill. Bring him the juice poured forth in sacrifice to-day. Now range you by the glorious one!

1. Call to your aid the eternal one who shoots and none may shoot at him, Inciter, swift, victorious, best of charioteers, unconquered, Tugriya's strengthener! 2. Let none, no, not thy worshippers, delay thee far away from us Even from faraway come thou unto our feast, or listen if' already here! 3. For Indra Soma-drinker, armed with thunder, press the Soma juice; Make ready your dressed meats: cause him to favour us! The giver blesses him who gives. 4. We call upon that Indra who, most active, ever slays the foe With boundless spirit, Lord of heroes, manliest one, help thou and prosper us in fight! 5. Ye rich in strength, through your great power vouchsafe us blessings day and night! The offerings which we bring to you shall never fail gifts brought by us shall never fail. 6. Whenever mortal worshipper will sing a bounteous giver's praise, Let him with song inspired laud Varuna who supports the folk who follow varied rites. 7. Drink milk to Indra in the joy of Soma juice, Medhyatithi! To golden Indra ever close to his bay steeds, the thunder-armed, the golden one! 8. Both boons,-may Indra, hitherward turned listen to this prayer of ours, And mightiest Maghavar, with thought inclined to us come near to drink the Soma juice! 9. Not for an ample price dost thou, Stone-caster! give thyself away, Not for a thousand, Thunderer! nor ten thousand, nor a hundred, Lord of countless wealth! 10. O Indra, thou art more to me than sire or niggard brother is. Thou and my mother, O good Lord, appear alike, to give me wealth abundantly.

What mortal man, O Asvins, glows with zeal for you, Urging you with the crushing stone and with the stalk of Soma thus or otherwise? 4. This sweetest Soma juice hath been expressed for you at morning rites. Asvins, drink this prepared ere yesterday and give treasures to him who offers it! 5. Let me not, still beseeching thee with might and sound of Soma drops, Anger at sacrifice a fierce wild creature! Who would not beseech the almighty one! 6. Adhvaryu, let the Soma flow, for Indra longs to drink thereof. He even now hath yoked his vigorous bay steeds: the Vritraslayer hath come nigh. 7. Bring thou all this unto the good, O Indra, to the old and young! For, Maghavan, thou art rich in treasures from of old, to be invoked in every fight. 8. If I, O Indra, were the lord of riches ample as thine own, I would support the singer, God who scatterest wealth! and not abandon him to woe. 9. Thou in thy battles, Indra, art subduer of all hostile bands. Father art thou, all-conquering, cancelling the curse, thou victor of the vanquisher! 10. For in thy might thou stretchest out beyond the mansions of the sky. The earthly region, Indra, comprehends thee not. Thou hast waxed mighty over all. DECADE III 1. Pressed is the juice divine with milk commingled: thereto hath Indra ever been accustomed. We wake thee, Lord of bays, with sacrifices: mark this our laud in the wild joys of Soma! 2. A home is made for thee to dwell in, Indra: O much-invoked one, with the men go thither! Thou, that thou mayest guard us and increase us, givest us wealth and joyest in the Somas. 3. The well thou clavest, settest free the fountains, and gavest rest to floods that were obstructed. Thou, Indra, laying the great mountain open, slaying the Ddnava, didst loose the torrents. 4. When we have pressed the juice we laud thee, Indra, most valorous! even about to win the booty. Bring us prosperity, and by thy great wisdom, under thine own protection, may we conquer! 5.

1. The black drop sank in Ansumati's bosom, advancing with ten thousand round about it. Indra with might longed for it as it panted: the hero-hearted King laid down his weapons. 2. Flying in terror from the snort of Vritra all deities who were thy friends forsook thee. So, Indra, with the Maruts be thy friendship: in all these battles thou shalt be the victor. 3. The old hath waked the young Moon from his slumber who runs his circling course with many round him. Behold the God's high wisdom in its greatness: he who died yesterday to-day is living. 4. Then, at thy birth, thou wast the foeman, Indra, of those the seven who ne'er had met a rival. The hidden pair, heaven and the earth, thou foundest, and to the mighty worlds thou gavest pleasure. 5. A friend we count thee, sharp-edged, thunder-wielder, Steer strong of body, overthrowing Thou, helping, causest pious tribes to conquer: Indra, I laud the, heavenly Vritra-slayer. 6. Bring to the wise, the great, who waxeth mighty your offerings,. and make ready your devotion! Go forth to many tribes as man's controller! 7. Call we on Maghavan, auspicious Indra, best hero in this fight where spoil is gathered, Strong, listening to give us aid in battles, who slays the Vritras, wins and gathers riches! 8. Prayers have been offered up-through love of glory: Vasishtha, honour Indra in the battle! He who with fame extends through all existence hears words which I, his faithful servant, utter. 9. May the sweet Soma juices make him happy to cast his quoit that lies in depth of waters! Thou from the udder which o'er earth is fastened hast poured the milk into the kine and herbage.

1. Heroes of one accord brought forth and formed for kingship Indra who wins the victory in all encounters, For power, in firmness, in the field, the great destroyer, fierce and exceeding strong,rstalwart and full of vigour. 2. I trust in thy first wrathful deed, O Indra, when thou slewest Vritra and didst work to profit When the two world-halves fled for refuge unto thee, and earth even trembled at thy strength, O Thunder-armed! 3. Come all with might together to the Lord of heaven, the only one who is indeed the guestof He is the first: to him who fain would come to us all pathways turn; he is in truth the only one. 4. Thine, Indra, praised of many, excellently rich, are we who trusting in thy help draw near to For none but thou, song-lover, shall receive our lauds: as Earth loves all her creatures, welcome this our hymn! 5. High hymns have sounded forth the praise of Maghavan, supporter of mankind, of Indra meet for lauds; Him who hath waxen mighty, much-invoked with prayers, immortal one whose praise each day is sung aloud. 6. In perfect unison have all your longing hymns that find the light of heaven sounded forth Indra's praise. As wives embrace their lord, the comely bridegroom, so they compass Maghavan about that he may help. 7. Make glad with songs that Ram whom many men invoke, worthy hymns of praise, Indra the sea of wealth; Whose boons spread like the heavens, the - lover of mankind: sing praise to him the Sage, most liberal for our good! 8. I glorify that Ram who finds the light of heaven, whose hundred strong and mighty ones go forth with him. With prayers may I turn hither Indra to mine aid;-the car which like a swift steed hasteth to the 9. Filled full of fatness, compassing all things that be, wide, spacious, dropping meath, beautiful in their form, The heaven and the earth by Varuna's decree, unwasting, rich in germs, stand parted each from 10. As like the Morning, thou hast filled, O Indra, both the earth.

1. Flow forth, O Soma, flow thou onward, sweet to Indra's Mitra's, Pushan's, Bhaga's taste. 2. Run forth to battle, conquering the Vritras; thou speedest to quell the foes like one exacting debts. 3. Flow onward, Soma, as a mighty sea, as Father of the Gods, to every form. 4. Flow onward, Soma, flow for mighty strength, as a strong courser, bathed, to win the prize. 5. Fair Indu hath flowed on for rapturous joy, sage, for good fortune, in the waters' lap. 6. In thee, effused. O Soma, we rejoice ourselves for great supremacy in fight: Thou, Pavamana, enterest into mighty deeds. 7. Who are these radiant men in serried rank, Rudra's young heroes, too, with noble steeds? 8. Agni, with hymns may we now accomplish that which thou lovest, Strength, like a horse, auspicious strength with service. 9. The strong youths have come forth to view, to show their strength, God Savitar's quickening energy: Ye warrior horsemen, win the heavens. 10. Soma, flow splendid with thy copious stream in due succession through the ample fleece. DECADE I. Indra 1. Giver from all sides, bring to us from every side, thou whom as strongest we entreat! 2. This Brahman, comer at due time, named Indra, is renowned and praised. 3. The Brahmans with their hymns exalting Indra increased his strength that he might slaughter 4. Anavas wrought a chariot for thy courser, and Tvashtar, much-invoked! the bolt that gitters: 5. Rest, wealth to him who longs for wealth! the riteless stirs not his love nor wins his way to riches. 6. The cows are ever pure and all-supporting, the Gods are ever free from stain and blemish. 7. With all thy beauty come! The kine approaching with full udders follow on thy path. 8. May we, inhabiting a meath-rich dwelling, increase our wealth, and think of thee, O Indra! 9. The Maruts with fair hymns chant out their praise-song: this Indra, famed and youthful, shouts accordant. 10. Sing to your Indra, mightiest Vritra-slayer, sing to the Sage the song that he accepteth!