Sukta 53

Mantra 1

उपमं त्वा मघोनां ज्येष्ठं च वृषभाणाम् । पूर्भित्तमं मघवन्निन्द्र गोविदमीशानं राय ईमहे ॥

We seek you as the highest among the bounteous, the eldest among the strong-bull powers—most capable of breaking the fortified enclosures. O Indra, finder of the rays (cows), master of plenitude, we long to possess your fullness of being.

Mantra 2

य आयुं कुत्समतिथिग्वमर्दयो वावृधानो दिवेदिवे । तं त्वा वयं हर्यश्वं शतक्रतुं वाजयन्तो हवामहे ॥

You who smote Ayu, Kutsa, and Atithigva, growing in power day by day— you, the wielder of tawny steeds, the hundred-powered, we invoke as we kindle the victorious force within us.

Mantra 3

आ नो विश्वेषां रसं मध्वः सिञ्चन्त्वद्रयः । ये परावति सुन्विरे जनेष्वा ये अर्वावतीन्दवः ॥

Let the pressing-stones pour for us the essence of all sweetness. Whether the Soma-drops are pressed in the far distance among the peoples, or here in the nearer field, may they come to us as a single stream of delight and light.

Mantra 4

विश्वा द्वेषांसि जहि चाव चा कृधि विश्वे सन्वन्त्वा वसु । शीष्टेषु चित्ते मदिरासो अंशवो यत्रा सोमस्य तृम्पसि ॥

Slay all the hostile movements and cast them down and away; let all the luminous riches come to us. Even among the remnants, may the intoxicating rays be yours—there where you drink your fill of Soma (the delight of immortal consciousness).

Mantra 6

आजितुरं सत्पतिं विश्वचर्षणिं कृधि प्रजास्वाभगम् । प्र सू तिरा शचीभिर्ये त उक्थिनः क्रतुं पुनत आनुषक् ॥

Make him for us the conquering force in the battle, the true lord and lord of all peoples, a giver of portion among our progeny. Lead us forward by your powers of effective action—those singers of your hymns who continually purify the will (kratu) within us.

Mantra 7

यस्ते साधिष्ठोऽवसे ते स्याम भरेषु ते । वयं होत्राभिरुत देवहूतिभिः ससवांसो मनामहे ॥

May we be yours for that most effective help of yours, in all the battles you carry. We, pressing forward with our offerings of the word and with the call that brings the gods, aspire and consent to you in our mind.

Mantra 8

अहं हि ते हरिवो ब्रह्म वाजयुराजिं यामि सदोतिभिः । त्वामिदेव तममे समश्वयुर्गव्युरग्रे मथीनाम् ॥

For I, O Harivaḥ, with my soul’s utterance that seeks plenitude, enter the contest always with your help. You alone do I desire and join with—seeking the horse-force and the cow-light—at the front of the churnings (the inner pressings that bring out the Soma).