Sukta 104

Mantra 1

योनिष्ट इन्द्र निषदे अकारि तमा नि षीद स्वानो नार्वा । विमुच्या वयोऽवसायाश्वान्दोषा वस्तोर्वहीयसः प्रपित्वे ॥

A womb of repose has been formed for you, O Indra, for your settling; come, take your seat there—like a neighing steed. Releasing the powers of life for their free course, unharness the horses for rest in the dusk and at dawn, in the nearer intimacy of the being.

Mantra 2

ओ त्ये नर इन्द्रमूतये गुर्नू चित्तान्त्सद्यो अध्वनो जगम्यात् । देवासो मन्युं दासस्य श्चम्नन्ते न आ वक्षन्त्सुविताय वर्णम् ॥

These heroic powers have cried to Indra for help; even now may he come to them straightway from the path. The gods, crushing the wrath of the Dāsa, shall bring us the luminous color for a happy going—an open way of right movement.

Mantra 3

अव त्मना भरते केतवेदा अव त्मना भरते फेनमुदन् । क्षीरेण स्नातः कुयवस्य योषे हते ते स्यातां प्रवणे शिफायाः ॥

Down by his own nature moves Ketavedā; down by his own nature moves the foam upon the waters. Bathed in milk, O wife of Kuyava, may those two be struck down and fall on the slope of Śiphā—let the false brilliance perish in its own descent.

Mantra 4

युयोप नाभिरुपरस्यायोः प्र पूर्वाभिस्तिरते राष्टि शूरः । अञ्जसी कुलिशी वीरपत्नी पयो हिन्वाना उदभिर्भरन्ते ॥

The navel of the upper metal-work has been set in motion; the hero stretches forth the rod with the ancient strengths. Straight is the thunder-weapon, the strong spouse of the hero; urging the milk of plenitude, they bring it with the waters—nourishment carried by the streams of being.

Mantra 5

प्रति यत्स्या नीथादर्शि दस्योरोको नाच्छा सदनं जानती गात् । अध स्मा नो मघवञ्चर्कृतादिन्मा नो मघेव निष्षपी परा दाः ॥

When the guiding lead is seen turned back, and the Dasyu’s dwelling is not approached, then, O bountiful Indra, save us from the clamor of the crooked; do not cast us away like one who gives and then withdraws, do not abandon our right share.

Mantra 6

स त्वं न इन्द्र सूर्ये सो अप्स्वनागास्त्व आ भज जीवशंसे । मान्तरां भुजमा रीरिषो नः श्रद्धितं ते महत इन्द्रियाय ॥

Be that for us, O Indra, in the sun; be that for us in the waters—share with us your blameless protection for the hope of living. Do not wound us in the midway grasp; we have placed our trust in your great Indrian power.

Mantra 7

अधा मन्ये श्रत्ते अस्मा अधायि वृषा चोदस्व महते धनाय । मा नो अकृते पुरुहूत योनाविन्द्र क्षुध्यद्भ्यो वय आसुतिं दाः ॥

Then I perceive that faith has been placed for him in you; O Bull, impel us toward the great treasure. Do not leave us, O much-invoked, in an unmade womb; O Indra, give to the hungry powers the life-force and the pressing—nourishment of the offering.

Mantra 8

मा नो वधीरिन्द्र मा परा दा मा नः प्रिया भोजनानि प्र मोषीः । आण्डा मा नो मघवञ्छक्र निर्भेन्मा नः पात्रा भेत्सहजानुषाणि ॥

Do not strike us down, O Indra; do not cast us away; do not rob us of our dear nourishments. Do not shatter our seeds of becoming, O bountiful Shakra; do not break our vessels, the supports born with us—our innate instruments of the journey.

Mantra 9

अर्वाङेहि सोमकामं त्वाहुरयं सुतस्तस्य पिबा मदाय । उरुव्यचा जठर आ वृषस्व पितेव नः शृणुहि हूयमानः ॥

Come hither, O lover of Soma—they call you; this Soma is pressed, drink of it for the ecstasy. O wide-pervading, grow strong in the belly; like a father, hear us as we call—answer the voice of the seeking.