Sukta 33

Mantra 1

प्र पर्वतानामुशती उपस्थादश्वे इव विषिते हासमाने । गावेव शुभ्रे मातरा रिहाणे विपाट् छुतुद्री पयसा जवेते ॥

From the lap of the mountains the two desirous ones surge forth, laughing like unbridled mares. Like bright mothers, like cows licking their calf, Vipāṭ and Śutudrī run swift with their milk of nourishment—streams of sustaining delight.

Mantra 2

इन्द्रेषिते प्रसवं भिक्षमाणे अच्छा समुद्रं रथ्येव याथः । समाराणे ऊर्मिभिः पिन्वमाने अन्या वामन्यामप्येति शुभ्रे ॥

Impelled by Indra, asking for the forward driving, you move toward the ocean like two chariots on the highway. Swelling with waves as you rush together, one bright stream draws close to the other, seeking union in a single flow.

Mantra 3

अच्छा सिन्धुं मातृतमामयासं विपाशमुर्वीं सुभगामगन्म । वत्समिव मातरा संरिहाणे समानं योनिमनु संचरन्ती ॥

We came to the Sindhu, the most motherly, the unwearied; to Vipāś, wide and fortunate. Like two mothers licking their calf, they move in accord, following one common womb—one origin and one channel of their being.

Mantra 4

एना वयं पयसा पिन्वमाना अनु योनिं देवकृतं चरन्तीः । न वर्तवे प्रसवः सर्गतक्तः किंयुर्विप्रो नद्यो जोहवीति ॥

By this (path) we, swelling with the milk of nourishment, move following the womb shaped by the gods. The impulsion fashioned for the streaming does not turn back; the inspired seer calls to the rivers, eager to know their secret course and to win their consenting passage.

Mantra 5

रमध्वं मे वचसे सोम्याय ऋतावरीरुप मुहूर्तमेवैः । प्र सिन्धुमच्छा बृहती मनीषावस्युरह्वे कुशिकस्य सूनुः ॥

Take delight in my word, O upholders of ṛta, for it is born of Soma; draw near for a moment with your swift courses. Toward the Sindhu my vast thought goes forth; I, the son of Kuśika, calling in the need, invoke you for help.

Mantra 6

इन्द्रो अस्माँ अरदद्वज्रबाहुरपाहन्वृत्रं परिधिं नदीनाम् । देवोऽनयत्सविता सुपाणिस्तस्य वयं प्रसवे याम उर्वीः ॥

Indra of the thunder-arm made a way for us; he smote away Vṛtra, the hemming barrier of the rivers. The god Savitṛ, with good hands, led us onward; by that divine impulsion we travel the wide spaces.

Mantra 7

प्रवाच्यं शश्वधा वीर्यं तदिन्द्रस्य कर्म यदहिं विवृश्चत् । वि वज्रेण परिषदो जघानायन्नापोऽयनमिच्छमानाः ॥

Ever to be spoken is that heroic power—Indra’s deed—when he cut apart the Serpent. With the thunderbolt he struck down the enclosing seats of resistance; then the waters came forward, longing for their path, seeking their free course.

Mantra 8

एतद्वचो जरितर्मापि मृष्ठा आ यत्ते घोषानुत्तरा युगानि । उक्थेषु कारो प्रति नो जुषस्व मा नो नि कः पुरुषत्रा नमस्ते ॥

O singer, do not disregard this word: may your far-resounding call endure through the later ages. In our hymns accept the cry and turn towards us in consent; do not cast us down anywhere—O Power that works for man, to you is our obeisance.

Mantra 9

ओ षु स्वसारः कारवे शृणोत ययौ वो दूरादनसा रथेन । नि षू नमध्वं भवता सुपारा अधोअक्षाः सिन्धवः स्रोत्याभिः ॥

O sisters, listen to the singer’s call; he has come to you from far away with cart and chariot. Bend down in a gracious yielding; become easy to cross—O streams—let your currents run low at the axle-depth.

Mantra 10

आ ते कारो शृणवामा वचांसि ययाथ दूरादनसा रथेन । नि ते नंसै पीप्यानेव योषा मर्यायेव कन्या शश्वचै ते ॥

We would hear your answering cry and your words, for you have come from far with cart and chariot. Incline to us as a woman rich with life leans in love, as a maiden to her bridegroom—so may you be ever towards us.

Mantra 11

यदङ्ग त्वा भरताः संतरेयुर्गव्यन्ग्राम इषित इन्द्रजूतः । अर्षादह प्रसवः सर्गतक्त आ वो वृणे सुमतिं यज्ञियानाम् ॥

When, O indeed, the Bharatas would cross you seeking the luminous herds, the moving host urged on by Indra’s force, then may the impulsion rush forward, fashioned as a releasing stream; I choose for you the right-minded grace of the sacrificers.

Mantra 12

अतारिषुर्भरता गव्यवः समभक्त विप्रः सुमतिं नदीनाम् । प्र पिन्वध्वमिषयन्तीः सुराधा आ वक्षणाः पृणध्वं यात शीभम् ॥

The Bharatas, seekers of the rays, have crossed; the seer has won the rivers’ gracious harmony. O well-accomplishing streams, swell forth, pressing on with the impetus; fill your bosoms and move swiftly.

Mantra 13

उद्व ऊर्मिः शम्या हन्त्वापो योक्त्राणि मुञ्चत । मादुष्कृतौ व्येनसाघ्न्यौ शूनमारताम् ॥

Let the rising wave strike away the wooden stakes; O Waters, loosen the yokes. Let not the two guiltless ones be harmed through ill-doing or fault; let them come to safety and well-being.