Sukta 68

Mantra 1

प्र देवमच्छा मधुमन्त इन्दवोऽसिष्यदन्त गाव आ न धेनवः । बर्हिषदो वचनावन्त ऊधभिः परिस्रुतमुस्रिया निर्णिजं धिरे ॥

Toward the divine Presence the honey-laden drops of Soma rush forth, like cows, like milch-kine pressing to their home. The powers that sit upon the sacred seat, rich in the word, set in place with their udders the streaming radiance of the illumining Rays—its bright garment of purity.

Mantra 2

स रोरुवदभि पूर्वा अचिक्रददुपारुहः श्रथयन्त्स्वादते हरिः । तिरः पवित्रं परियन्नुरु ज्रयो नि शर्याणि दधते देव आ वरम् ॥

He roars and cries out over the ancient foundations; mounting upward, the tawny one loosens and makes sweetness. Passing across the filter, moving around in wide courses, the god sets down his swift motions and comes to the chosen excellence.

Mantra 3

वि यो ममे यम्या संयती मदः साकंवृधा पयसा पिन्वदक्षिता । मही अपारे रजसी विवेविददभिव्रजन्नक्षितं पाज आ ददे ॥

He who widens and measures out the twin yoked worlds—his ecstasy grows together, swelling with the milk of plenitude, inexhaustible. He discovers the vast two spaces without boundary; moving forth, he takes to himself the unfailing strength of light.

Mantra 4

स मातरा विचरन्वाजयन्नपः प्र मेधिरः स्वधया पिन्वते पदम् । अंशुर्यवेन पिपिशे यतो नृभिः सं जामिभिर्नसते रक्षते शिरः ॥

Moving between the two Mothers, driving the waters to their increase, the wise one by his own law fills out the station. The ray is ground with the grain; then, with the men and with the kindred powers, he reaches the goal and guards the head— the summit of consciousness.

Mantra 5

सं दक्षेण मनसा जायते कविॠतस्य गर्भो निहितो यमा परः । यूना ह सन्ता प्रथमं वि जज्ञतुर्गुहा हितं जनिम नेममुद्यतम् ॥

By discerning power and by the mind the Seer is born— a womb of the Truth set apart beyond the pair. Though young, they are; yet first they are born: the hidden birth, placed in the secret, rises upward to its destined turn.

Mantra 6

मन्द्रस्य रूपं विविदुर्मनीषिणः श्येनो यदन्धो अभरत्परावतः । तं मर्जयन्त सुवृधं नदीष्वाँ उशन्तमंशुं परियन्तमृग्मियम् ॥

The thinkers have found the form of the rapturous one, when the eagle brought the Soma-essence from the far beyond. They cleanse him, well-growing, in the rivers— the desired ray moving around, fit for the hymn and the rhythm of truth.

Mantra 7

त्वां मृजन्ति दश योषणः सुतं सोम ऋषिभिर्मतिभिर्धीतिभिर्हितम् । अव्यो वारेभिरुत देवहूतिभिर्नृभिर्यतो वाजमा दर्षि सातये ॥

Ten maidens cleanse you, O Soma, pressed and set in place by the seers through thoughts and steady contemplations. With the woolen sieves and with the callings of the gods, with the human powers— from there you come manifesting the plenitude of force for the winning.

Mantra 8

परिप्रयन्तं वय्यं सुषंसदं सोमं मनीषा अभ्यनूषत स्तुभः । यो धारया मधुमाँ ऊर्मिणा दिव इयर्ति वाचं रयिषाळमर्त्यः ॥

As Soma moves all around—fit for the flight, well-seated—the inspired thoughts and hymns have sung to him. He, rich in sweetness, with his wave from heaven, lifts up the word; immortal, he increases the plenitude of being.

Mantra 9

अयं दिव इयर्ति विश्वमा रजः सोमः पुनानः कलशेषु सीदति । अद्भिर्गोभिर्मृज्यते अद्रिभिः सुतः पुनान इन्दुर्वरिवो विदत्प्रियम् ॥

This Soma from heaven sets all the spaces in motion; self-purifying, he takes his seat in the bowls. With waters and with rays he is cleansed; pressed by the stones, the purifying drop finds the wide room and what is dear— the soul’s consenting delight.

Mantra 10

एवा नः सोम परिषिच्यमानो वयो दधच्चित्रतमं पवस्व । अद्वेषे द्यावापृथिवी हुवेम देवा धत्त रयिमस्मे सुवीरम् ॥

So, O Soma, as you are poured all around, flow in your purity, establishing in us the most wonderful wideness of life. In the undivided harmony we call Heaven and Earth; O gods, bestow on us the plenitude of being rich in heroic force.