Sukta 16

Mantra 1

प्र वः सतां ज्येष्ठतमाय सुष्टुतिमग्नाविव समिधाने हविर्भरे । इन्द्रमजुर्यं जरयन्तमुक्षितं सनाद्युवानमवसे हवामहे ॥

Forward for you I bear a fine hymn, as one brings the oblation to the kindled Fire, to Indra the eldest of the true. Indra—undecaying, ever-renewing, abundantly poured with strength, ancient yet young—we call for our help and protection.

Mantra 2

यस्मादिन्द्राद्बृहतः किं चनेमृते विश्वान्यस्मिन्त्सम्भृताधि वीर्या । जठरे सोमं तन्वी सहो महो हस्ते वज्रं भरति शीर्षणि क्रतुम् ॥

From Indra the Vast none can be apart, not even a little: in him all powers are gathered and set. In his belly is Soma; in his body are might and greatness; in his hand he bears the thunderbolt, and in his head the will of effective knowledge.

Mantra 3

न क्षोणीभ्यां परिभ्वे त इन्द्रियं न समुद्रैः पर्वतैरिन्द्र ते रथः । न ते वज्रमन्वश्नोति कश्चन यदाशुभिः पतसि योजना पुरु ॥

Neither the two worlds can encompass thy might, O Indra, nor can oceans and mountains confine thy chariot. None can overtake thy thunderbolt when with thy swift ones thou fliest across many leagues.

Mantra 4

विश्वे ह्यस्मै यजताय धृष्णवे क्रतुं भरन्ति वृषभाय सश्चते । वृषा यजस्व हविषा विदुष्टरः पिबेन्द्र सोमं वृषभेण भानुना ॥

All indeed bring to him, the adorable and daring Bull, the power of will and join him. O Bull, sacrifice with the offering, O most knowing; drink, Indra, the Soma with thy bull-like radiance.

Mantra 5

वृष्णः कोशः पवते मध्व ऊर्मिर्वृषभान्नाय वृषभाय पातवे । वृषणाध्वर्यू वृषभासो अद्रयो वृषणं सोमं वृषभाय सुष्वति ॥

The strong vessel streams; the wave of sweetness flows for the Bull as food, for the Bull to drink. The strong Adhvaryus, the bull-like pressing-stones, press the strong Soma for the Bull.

Mantra 6

वृषा ते वज्र उत ते वृषा रथो वृषणा हरी वृषभाण्यायुधा । वृष्णो मदस्य वृषभ त्वमीशिष इन्द्र सोमस्य वृषभस्य तृप्णुहि ॥

A bull is thy thunderbolt, and bull is thy chariot; bull are the two bay steeds, and bull-like thy weapons. O Bull, thou rulest the ecstasy of the strong; Indra, be satisfied with the bull-like Soma.

Mantra 7

प्र ते नावं न समने वचस्युवं ब्रह्मणा यामि सवनेषु दाधृषिः । कुविन्नो अस्य वचसो निबोधिषदिन्द्रमुत्सं न वसुनः सिचामहे ॥

As a boat to the crossing, I go to thee with the word that seeks utterance, with the mantra, in the Soma-pressings, O steadfast one. May he indeed take notice of this our speech; may we pour out Indra like a fountain of riches.