Sukta 28

Mantra 1

यत्र ग्रावा पृथुबुध्न ऊर्ध्वो भवति सोतवे । उलूखलसुतानामवेद्विन्द्र जल्गुलः ॥

Where the pressing-stone, broad-based, rises upright for the pressing, there the pounding of the mortar-pressers becomes known to Indra—awakening his force in us.

Mantra 2

यत्र द्वाविव जघनाधिषवण्या कृता । उलूखलसुतानामवेद्विन्द्र जल्गुलः ॥

Where the two (boards) like twin haunches are set as the pressing-bed, there the pounding-clang of the mortar-workers is known to Indra—calling his victorious energy.

Mantra 3

यत्र नार्यपच्यवमुपच्यवं च शिक्षते । उलूखलसुतानामवेद्विन्द्र जल्गुलः ॥

Where the woman learns the downward and upward movements (of the pounding), there the pounding-clang of the mortar-workers is known to Indra—educing skill into power.

Mantra 4

यत्र मन्थां विबध्नते रश्मीन्यमितवा इव । उलूखलसुतानामवेद्विन्द्र जल्गुलः ॥

Where they fasten the churning-staff and rein in the cords as one would control the yoked (horses), there the pounding-clang of the mortar-workers is known to Indra—discipline harnessing power.

Mantra 5

यच्चिद्धि त्वं गृहेगृह उलूखलक युज्यसे । इह द्युमत्तमं वद जयतामिव दुन्दुभिः ॥

Even if, O little mortar, you are used in house after house, here speak out the most luminous note—like the drum of those who win—so the inner victory may be affirmed.

Mantra 6

उत स्म ते वनस्पते वातो वि वात्यग्रमित् । अथो इन्द्राय पातवे सुनु सोममुलूखल ॥

And indeed for you, O lord of the wood, the wind blows upon the very tip; then, O mortar, press out the Soma for Indra to drink—so the life-breath may aid the offering and the force may enter.

Mantra 7

आयजी वाजसातमा ता ह्युच्चा विजर्भृतः । हरी इवान्धांसि बप्सता ॥

O two who are fit for worship, most winning of plenitude, you indeed are lifted high and set in motion; like Indra’s two bay steeds, you chew up the darknesses—breaking the obscurity in us.

Mantra 8

ता नो अद्य वनस्पती ऋष्वावृष्वेभिः सोतृभिः । इन्द्राय मधुमत्सुतम् ॥

You two, O lords of the wood, today with the strong pressers press out for Indra the Soma that is honeyed—so sweetness of delight may feed the victorious mind-force within us.

Mantra 9

उच्छिष्टं चम्वोर्भर सोमं पवित्र आ सृज । नि धेहि गोरधि त्वचि ॥

Bring up what remains in the bowls: pour the Soma into the purifier. Set it down upon the hide of the Cow—upon the luminous covering—so the delight may be clarified and held in the field of Light.