Sukta 78

Mantra 1

प्र राजा वाचं जनयन्नसिष्यददपो वसानो अभि गा इयक्षति । गृभ्णाति रिप्रमविरस्य तान्वा शुद्धो देवानामुप याति निष्कृतम् ॥

Forward moves the King, bringing forth the Word; he rushes on, clothed in the Waters, and drives toward the Rays. He seizes the stain; as the Sheep (the purifier) with his body, he becomes pure and approaches the gods’ prepared offering-place.

Mantra 2

इन्द्राय सोम परि षिच्यसे नृभिर्नृचक्षा ऊर्मिः कविरज्यसे वने । पूर्वीर्हि ते स्रुतयः सन्ति यातवे सहस्रमश्वा हरयश्चमूषदः ॥

For Indra, O Soma, you are poured all around by the human powers; a wave with the seeing of men, a seer, you are anointed in the wood (the pressing-place). Many are your ancient currents for the journey; a thousand are your bright steeds, seated in the offering-bowl, carrying the force onward.

Mantra 3

समुद्रिया अप्सरसो मनीषिणमासीना अन्तरभि सोममक्षरन् । ता ईं हिन्वन्ति हर्म्यस्य सक्षणिं याचन्ते सुम्नं पवमानमक्षितम् ॥

The ocean-born Apsarases, seated within, have poured out Soma upon the thinker. They impel him toward the companionship in the high house; they ask from the purifying Soma an undiminishing grace.

Mantra 4

गोजिन्नः सोमो रथजिद्धिरण्यजित्स्वर्जिदब्जित्पवते सहस्रजित् । यं देवासश्चक्रिरे पीतये मदं स्वादिष्ठं द्रप्समरुणं मयोभुवम् ॥

Our Soma flows as a winner of the Rays, a winner of the chariot of progress, a winner of the golden plenitudes, a winner of the luminous world, a winner of the waters, a winner of a thousand powers. The gods have fashioned him for drinking as ecstasy—the sweetest drop, ruddy with dawn-force, bringing delight and well-being.

Mantra 5

एतानि सोम पवमानो अस्मयुः सत्यानि कृण्वन्द्रविणान्यर्षसि । जहि शत्रुमन्तिके दूरके च य उर्वीं गव्यूतिमभयं च नस्कृधि ॥

These things, O Soma, as you purify yourself, desiring us, you cause to become true and you make the riches flow. Smite the enemy, near and far; and make for us a wide pasture of rays and a fearless state.