Sukta 58

Mantra 1

समुद्रादूर्मिर्मधुमाँ उदारदुपांशुना सममृतत्वमानट् । घृतस्य नाम गुह्यं यदस्ति जिह्वा देवानाममृतस्य नाभिः ॥

From the ocean of being a wave of sweetness rises; by the subtle (upāṃśu) pressing it attains the state of immortality. This is the secret name of the ghee: it is the tongue of the gods, the navel-centre of the immortal.

Mantra 2

वयं नाम प्र ब्रवामा घृतस्यास्मिन्यज्ञे धारयामा नमोभिः । उप ब्रह्मा शृणवच्छस्यमानं चतुःशृङ्गोऽवमीद्गौर एतत् ॥

We declare indeed the name of the ghee; in this yajña we uphold it with acts of surrender. May the forming Word (brahmā) hear what is being pronounced; the four-horned Bull has lowed forth this truth.

Mantra 3

चत्वारि शृङ्गा त्रयो अस्य पादा द्वे शीर्षे सप्त हस्तासो अस्य । त्रिधा बद्धो वृषभो रोरवीति महो देवो मर्त्याँ आ विवेश ॥

Four are his horns, three his feet, two his heads, seven his hands. Bound in a threefold way, the Bull bellows; the mighty god has entered mortal beings.

Mantra 4

त्रिधा हितं पणिभिर्गुह्यमानं गवि देवासो घृतमन्वविन्दन् । इन्द्र एकं सूर्य एकं जजान वेनादेकं स्वधया निष्टतक्षुः ॥

Hidden in a threefold way and concealed by the Paṇis, the gods found the ghee within the Cow (the luminous source). Indra brought forth one form, Sūrya another; and one they shaped out by their own inherent power from Vena (the yearning-seer).

Mantra 5

एता अर्षन्ति हृद्यात्समुद्राच्छतव्रजा रिपुणा नावचक्षे । घृतस्य धारा अभि चाकशीमि हिरण्ययो वेतसो मध्य आसाम् ॥

These streams flow from the heart-ocean, a hundred-fold in their courses, unseen by the hostile. I behold the currents of the ghee: a golden reed stands in their midst.

Mantra 6

सम्यक्स्रवन्ति सरितो न धेना अन्तर्हृदा मनसा पूयमानाः । एते अर्षन्त्यूर्मयो घृतस्य मृगा इव क्षिपणोरीषमाणाः ॥

They flow straight and true like rivers, like milch-cows, being purified within by the heart and by the mind. These waves of ghee surge, like swift deer pressing forward in their impetuous movement.

Mantra 7

सिन्धोरिव प्राध्वने शूघनासो वातप्रमियः पतयन्ति यह्वाः । घृतस्य धारा अरुषो न वाजी काष्ठा भिन्दन्नूर्मिभिः पिन्वमानः ॥

Like the Sindhu on its forward course, swift-nosed, driven by the wind, they fly—those uplifted movements. The streams of ghee, like a ruddy steed of plenitude, break through the barriers, swelling with their waves.

Mantra 8

अभि प्रवन्त समनेव योषाः कल्याण्यः स्मयमानासो अग्निम् । घृतस्य धाराः समिधो नसन्त ता जुषाणो हर्यति जातवेदाः ॥

They flow toward Agni like women to a common meeting, beautiful, smiling in their coming. The streams of ghee approach as fuel-sticks; and Jātavedas, taking delight in them, leaps upward in glad intensity.

Mantra 9

कन्या इव वहतुमेतवा उ अञ्ज्यञ्जाना अभि चाकशीमि । यत्र सोमः सूयते यत्र यज्ञो घृतस्य धारा अभि तत्पवन्ते ॥

Like maidens going to the bridal procession, anointing themselves, I gaze upon them as they move. Where Soma is pressed out, where the yajña is established, there the streams of ghee flow toward That (the supreme goal).

Mantra 10

अभ्यर्षत सुष्टुतिं गव्यमाजिमस्मासु भद्रा द्रविणानि धत्त । इमं यज्ञं नयत देवता नो घृतस्य धारा मधुमत्पवन्ते ॥

Flow toward (us) with the well-fashioned hymn, with the luminous gain and the victorious plenitude; in us place the auspicious riches of the being. Lead this our sacrifice, O divine Powers, and let the streams of clarified light, honeyed with delight, flow and purify.

Mantra 11

धामन्ते विश्वं भुवनमधि श्रितमन्तः समुद्रे हृद्यन्तरायुषि । अपामनीके समिथे य आभृतस्तमश्याम मधुमन्तं त ऊर्मिम् ॥

Thy law of being bears all the worlds, set above and founded within; inwardly it is established in the ocean, in the heart, in the inmost life. That wave of thine, honey-rich, which is brought forth in the meeting-place on the face of the waters—may we attain it.