Sukta 17

Mantra 1

प्र निम्नेनेव सिन्धवो घ्नन्तो वृत्राणि भूर्णयः । सोमा असृग्रमाशवः ॥

Forward the swift Somas surge like rivers down a slope, smiting the obstructions; whirling in their force they rush on, breaking what bars the free course.

Mantra 2

अभि सुवानास इन्दवो वृष्टयः पृथिवीमिव । इन्द्रं सोमासो अक्षरन् ॥

Pressed out, the Soma-drops pour toward Indra like rains upon the earth; they stream into him, feeding the victorious mind-force with a renewing descent of power.

Mantra 3

अत्यूर्मिर्मत्सरो मदः सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । विघ्नन्रक्षांसि देवयुः ॥

Soma, an overbrimming wave of ecstasy and delight, flows through the purifier, striking apart the hostile powers of darkness; for he yearns toward the gods, toward the divine life.

Mantra 4

आ कलशेषु धावति पवित्रे परि षिच्यते । उक्थैर्यज्ञेषु वर्धते ॥

He runs into the jars; in the purifier he is poured all around; by the uplifted hymns in the sacrifices he increases—growing in power as the word of truth builds him.

Mantra 5

अति त्री सोम रोचना रोहन्न भ्राजसे दिवम् । इष्णन्त्सूर्यं न चोदयः ॥

Passing beyond the three luminous worlds, O Soma, thou ascendest and shinest in heaven; urging like the Sun, thou drivest forward—impelling the inner light to its full course.

Mantra 6

अभि विप्रा अनूषत मूर्धन्यज्ञस्य कारवः । दधानाश्चक्षसि प्रियम् ॥

The illumined seers and the makers of the Word chant upward toward the head and summit of the sacrifice; bearing the beloved delight, they behold it in the seeing (inner vision).

Mantra 7

तमु त्वा वाजिनं नरो धीभिर्विप्रा अवस्यवः । मृजन्ति देवतातये ॥

That mighty Soma, full of plenitude-force, the men—illumined and seeking help—cleanse with their thoughts, so that the divine working may come to birth in them.

Mantra 8

मधोर्धारामनु क्षर तीव्रः सधस्थमासदः । चारुॠताय पीतये ॥

Flow following the stream of sweetness; intense in power, take thy seat in the common seat of the rite—beautiful for the Truth, for the drinking of the gods within us.