Sukta 21

Mantra 1

एते धावन्तीन्दवः सोमा इन्द्राय घृष्वयः । मत्सरासः स्वर्विदः ॥

These Soma-drops run forth for Indra, ardent and pressing on; they are ecstasies that intoxicate the soul into power, finders of the Sun-world—discoverers of luminous knowledge in us.

Mantra 2

प्रवृण्वन्तो अभियुजः सुष्वये वरिवोविदः । स्वयं स्तोत्रे वयस्कृतः ॥

They press forward, harnessed for the onset, for the good pressing; finders of the wide room, they themselves fashion in the hymn the increase of life—building a greater vitality in the being by the right chant.

Mantra 3

वृथा क्रीळन्त इन्दवः सधस्थमभ्येकमित् । सिन्धोरूर्मा व्यक्षरन् ॥

In free play the Soma-drops sport; they stream together to one common seat, and like the wave of the river they pour out and spread—so the many movements of delight converge into a single foundation of consciousness.

Mantra 4

एते विश्वानि वार्या पवमानास आशत । हिता न सप्तयो रथे ॥

These purifying Somas attain all desirable treasures; set in place like seven yoked steeds in a chariot, they move in ordered power—so the clarified forces of delight carry the being straight towards its wished-for fulfilment.

Mantra 5

आस्मिन्पिशङ्गमिन्दवो दधाता वेनमादिशे । यो अस्मभ्यमरावा ॥

In this (our field) place, O Soma-drops, the tawny splendour; set the yearning (vena) for the revelation—he who is bountiful to us, let him awaken in us the desire that leads to seeing.

Mantra 6

ऋभुर्न रथ्यं नवं दधाता केतमादिशे । शुक्राः पवध्वमर्णसा ॥

Like the Ribhus fashioning a new chariot, set the sign (keta) for the revelation; O bright ones, purify yourselves with the flood—so the luminous powers are remade and directed, fit for the true journey of the soul.

Mantra 7

एत उ त्ये अवीवशन्काष्ठां वाजिनो अक्रत । सतः प्रासाविषुर्मतिम् ॥

These indeed—those impetuous powers—have driven forward to the goal; the bearers of plenitude-force have fashioned it. From the Real (sat) they have pressed out and set streaming the thought (mati) into manifestation.