Sukta 91

Mantra 1

कन्या वारवायती सोममपि स्रुताविदत् । अस्तं भरन्त्यब्रवीदिन्द्राय सुनवै त्वा शक्राय सुनवै त्वा ॥

The maiden, moving with a wide cry, found Soma along the flowing path. Carrying it home she spoke: ‘For Indra I will press you, for the Mighty I will press you’—so the delight is prepared for the force that conquers.

Mantra 2

असौ य एषि वीरको गृहंगृहं विचाकशद् । इमं जम्भसुतं पिब धानावन्तं करम्भिणमपूपवन्तमुक्थिनम् ॥

This one who goes about, the bold visitor, making himself known from house to house—drink this, the pressed delight from the jaws (the crushing), rich with grains and mixed offering, with cakes, with the power of the hymn. Let the wandering force be satisfied by the prepared essence.

Mantra 3

आ चन त्वा चिकित्सामोऽधि चन त्वा नेमसि । शनैरिव शनकैरिवेन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ॥

Hardly do we fully discern you, hardly do we measure you; yet little by little, step by step, O Soma, flow around—flow for Indra. Let the delight permeate gradually until the being can hold it.

Mantra 4

कुविच्छकत्कुवित्करत्कुविन्नो वस्यसस्करत् । कुवित्पतिद्विषो यतीरिन्द्रेण संगमामहै ॥

Who knows—perhaps he will have the power, perhaps he will act; perhaps he will fashion for us a more luminous and happy state. Who knows—perhaps we shall come into union with Indra and drive away the movements that oppose the soul’s lordship.

Mantra 5

इमानि त्रीणि विष्टपा तानीन्द्र वि रोहय । शिरस्ततस्योर्वरामादिदं म उपोदरे ॥

These three worlds—these planes of ordered dwelling—raise them up, O Indra, into their true growth. From the head of that one, bring out the field of increase; set this also within my being, near the inward depth.

Mantra 6

असौ च या न उर्वरादिमां तन्वं मम । अथो ततस्य यच्छिरः सर्वा ता रोमशा कृधि ॥

And that too—she who comes to us from the field—make this body of mine (a fit vessel). And then, whatever is the head of that formation, make it wholly covered with living hairs: let it be clothed in the natural strength that protects and endures.

Mantra 7

खे रथस्य खेऽनसः खे युगस्य शतक्रतो । अपालामिन्द्र त्रिष्पूत्व्यकृणोः सूर्यत्वचम् ॥

In the open space of the chariot, in the open space of the cart, in the open space of the yoke, O Shatakratu—thou didst make Apālā, after thrice purifying, to bear the sun-skin: a new luminous covering of the light.