Sukta 16

Mantra 1

प्र ते सोतार ओण्यो रसं मदाय घृष्वये । सर्गो न तक्त्येतशः ॥

Forward for you, O Soma, the pressers send out the essence for ecstasy and for the shining ardour—like a released rush it speeds, like a swift steed in its drive.

Mantra 2

क्रत्वा दक्षस्य रथ्यमपो वसानमन्धसा । गोषामण्वेषु सश्चिम ॥

By will and power of discernment he becomes the chariot-course of effective skill; clothed in the waters with his pressing-essence, he moves among the subtle tracks seeking the luminous herds of knowledge.

Mantra 3

अनप्तमप्सु दुष्टरं सोमं पवित्र आ सृज । पुनीहीन्द्राय पातवे ॥

Release into the filter the Soma, unbound in the waters and hard to cross; purify it for Indra to drink—so the lord of luminous force may take in the clarified delight.

Mantra 4

प्र पुनानस्य चेतसा सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । क्रत्वा सधस्थमासदत् ॥

Forward rushes Soma, purified by the awakened consciousness, flowing through the filter; by the power of will and right intention he comes and takes his seat in the common foundation (of the sacrifice and the being).

Mantra 5

प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥

Forward to thee, O Indra, the Soma-streams are released with acts of reverence, the makers (within us) sending them for a great bearing—an ample carrying of force and fulfilment.

Mantra 6

पुनानो रूपे अव्यये विश्वा अर्षन्नभि श्रियः । शूरो न गोषु तिष्ठति ॥

Purifying himself in the imperishable form, he streams toward all the splendours; like a hero he stands firm among the Rays (cows), guarding and holding the luminous herds of knowledge.

Mantra 7

दिवो न सानु पिप्युषी धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । वृथा पवित्रे अर्षति ॥

Like the ridge of heaven, the swelling stream of the pressed Soma of the wise-worker flows through the purifier—not in vain, but for an effective fulfilment of the work.

Mantra 8

त्वं सोम विपश्चितं तना पुनान आयुषु । अव्यो वारं वि धावसि ॥

Thou, O Soma, purifying thyself by thy own nature, runnest through the woollen strainer, making the life-powers more and more discerning and luminous.