Sukta 70

Mantra 1

त्रिरस्मै सप्त धेनवो दुदुह्रे सत्यामाशिरं पूर्व्ये व्योमनि । चत्वार्यन्या भुवनानि निर्णिजे चारूणि चक्रे यदृतैरवर्धत ॥

Thrice the seven fostering powers milked out for him the true delight in the ancient wideness of the sky. And he fashioned four other beautiful worlds as his shining robe, when he increased by the laws of Ṛta.

Mantra 2

स भिक्षमाणो अमृतस्य चारुण उभे द्यावा काव्येना वि शश्रथे । तेजिष्ठा अपो मंहना परि व्यत यदी देवस्य श्रवसा सदो विदुः ॥

Seeking the beautiful immortality, he spreads out by the poet’s seeing across both heavens. With swift generosity he encompasses the most shining waters, when by the god’s glory they know the seat (the luminous station).

Mantra 3

ते अस्य सन्तु केतवोऽमृत्यवोऽदाभ्यासो जनुषी उभे अनु । येभिर्नृम्णा च देव्या च पुनत आदिद्राजानं मनना अगृभ्णत ॥

May his lights be deathless, not to be overpowered, following both births. By those—by human strength and by divine power—while he purifies, the thoughts seize the King (Soma) indeed.

Mantra 4

स मृज्यमानो दशभिः सुकर्मभिः प्र मध्यमासु मातृषु प्रमे सचा । व्रतानि पानो अमृतस्य चारुण उभे नृचक्षा अनु पश्यते विशौ ॥

Being cleansed by ten right workings, he moves with the middle Mothers, in the forward measure. Drinking the beautiful immortality, with human-seeing he beholds both peoples (both domains).

Mantra 5

स मर्मृजान इन्द्रियाय धायस ओभे अन्ता रोदसी हर्षते हितः । वृषा शुष्मेण बाधते वि दुर्मतीरादेदिशानः शर्यहेव शुरुधः ॥

Polishing himself for the power of Indra, he rejoices, set between the two ends of the worlds. A bull by force, he drives away the crooked mindings, charging like a hunter against the obstructers.

Mantra 6

स मातरा न ददृशान उस्रियो नानददेति मरुतामिव स्वनः । जानन्नृतं प्रथमं यत्स्वर्णरं प्रशस्तये कमवृणीत सुक्रतुः ॥

He goes lowing like the bright cows, as though calling to the Mothers, with the sound of the Maruts. Knowing the first Ṛta, that heaven-bearing force, the strong-willed chooses it for his praise.

Mantra 7

रुवति भीमो वृषभस्तविष्यया शृङ्गे शिशानो हरिणी विचक्षणः । आ योनिं सोमः सुकृतं नि षीदति गव्ययी त्वग्भवति निर्णिगव्ययी ॥

Roaring, formidable, the bull sharpens his horns with might, the tawny one of wide vision. Soma sits down into the well-made womb; a cow-born skin becomes his shining garment, cow-born his radiant robe.

Mantra 8

शुचिः पुनानस्तन्वमरेपसमव्ये हरिर्न्यधाविष्ट सानवि । जुष्टो मित्राय वरुणाय वायवे त्रिधातु मधु क्रियते सुकर्मभिः ॥

Pure, purifying, he makes his body stainless; the tawny one settles upon the woolen ridge. Accepted by Mitra, Varuṇa and Vāyu, the threefold honey is fashioned by right workings.

Mantra 9

पवस्व सोम देववीतये वृषेन्द्रस्य हार्दि सोमधानमा विश । पुरा नो बाधाद्दुरिताति पारय क्षेत्रविद्धि दिश आहा विपृच्छते ॥

Flow forth, Soma, for the gods’ enjoyment; enter the Soma-seat in the heart of the Bull Indra. Carry us beyond distress and evil before it strikes. Knowing the field, declare the directions to the one who asks.

Mantra 10

हितो न सप्तिरभि वाजमर्षेन्द्रस्येन्दो जठरमा पवस्व । नावा न सिन्धुमति पर्षि विद्वाञ्छूरो न युध्यन्नव नो निदः स्पः ॥

Like a harnessed steed, rush toward the plenitude of force; O Indu, purify yourself into Indra’s belly. Like a boat cross over the river, knowing the way; like a hero fighting, ward off from us the hostile reproaches.