Sukta 85

Mantra 1

इन्द्राय सोम सुषुतः परि स्रवापामीवा भवतु रक्षसा सह । मा ते रसस्य मत्सत द्वयाविनो द्रविणस्वन्त इह सन्त्विन्दवः ॥

For Indra, O Soma, well-pressed, flow all around; let there be a casting out of sickness together with the hostile darkness. Let not the divided and double-minded taste your rasa; may the shining drops be here, full of the true riches of being.

Mantra 2

अस्मान्त्समर्ये पवमान चोदय दक्षो देवानामसि हि प्रियो मदः । जहि शत्रूँरभ्या भन्दनायतः पिबेन्द्र सोममव नो मृधो जहि ॥

Drive us forward in the battle, O purifying Soma; for you are the gods’ skill and power, their beloved ecstasy. Strike down the enemies who press upon us for our binding; drink, O Indra, the Soma—protect us, and slay the assaults that oppose our advance.

Mantra 4

सहस्रणीथः शतधारो अद्भुत इन्द्रायेन्दुः पवते काम्यं मधु । जयन्क्षेत्रमभ्यर्षा जयन्नप उरुं नो गातुं कृणु सोम मीढ्वः ॥

Of a thousand leadings, of a hundred streams, wondrous—Indu is purified for Indra as the honey of delight that the soul desires. Conquering the field, flow upon it; conquering the waters, make for us a wide path, O Soma, giver of the fruitful boon.

Mantra 5

कनिक्रदत्कलशे गोभिरज्यसे व्यव्ययं समया वारमर्षसि । मर्मृज्यमानो अत्यो न सानसिरिन्द्रस्य सोम जठरे समक्षरः ॥

Crying out in the cup, you are anointed with the Rays; you flow out through the imperishable strainer at the right moment. Being cleansed, like a swift steed for the winning, O Soma, you pour yourself together into the belly of Indra.

Mantra 6

स्वादुः पवस्व दिव्याय जन्मने स्वादुरिन्द्राय सुहवीतुनाम्ने । स्वादुर्मित्राय वरुणाय वायवे बृहस्पतये मधुमाँ अदाभ्यः ॥

Flow sweetly for the divine birth in us; flow sweetly for Indra, whose name is the good invocation. Flow sweetly for Mitra, Varuṇa, and Vāyu; flow as honey-full and unassailable for Bṛhaspati.

Mantra 7

अत्यं मृजन्ति कलशे दश क्षिपः प्र विप्राणां मतयो वाच ईरते । पवमाना अभ्यर्षन्ति सुष्टुतिमेन्द्रं विशन्ति मदिरास इन्दवः ॥

Ten swift hands cleanse the steed in the cup; the thoughts and words of the inspired seers surge forward. Purifying, they flow toward the well-made hymn of praise; the intoxicating bright drops enter into Indra within us.

Mantra 8

पवमानो अभ्यर्षा सुवीर्यमुर्वीं गव्यूतिं महि शर्म सप्रथः । माकिर्नो अस्य परिषूतिरीशतेन्दो जयेम त्वया धनंधनम् ॥

O Soma, as you are being purified, flow toward us bringing heroic force, the wide field of luminous Rays, and the great, far-spreading shelter of peace. Let no surrounding pressure of this obscurity gain mastery over us. With you, O Indu, may we conquer wealth upon wealth—ever-renewed plenitudes of being.

Mantra 9

अधि द्यामस्थाद्वृषभो विचक्षणोऽरूरुचद्वि दिवो रोचना कविः । राजा पवित्रमत्येति रोरुवद्दिवः पीयूषं दुहते नृचक्षसः ॥

He, the Bull of power, the wide-seeing Seer, has taken his station above heaven and has made the luminous realms of the sky blaze forth. The King passes beyond the filter with a resounding cry; the seers with the vision of man draw out the nectar of heaven.

Mantra 10

दिवो नाके मधुजिह्वा असश्चतो वेना दुहन्त्युक्षणं गिरिष्ठाम् । अप्सु द्रप्सं वावृधानं समुद्र आ सिन्धोरूर्मा मधुमन्तं पवित्र आ ॥

In the heaven’s summit the desirous powers, honey-tongued and unwearied, milk out the Bull who stands upon the heights. In the waters the growing Drop is fostered; from the ocean, from the River’s wave, the honey-rich essence comes to the filter.

Mantra 11

नाके सुपर्णमुपपप्तिवांसं गिरो वेनानामकृपन्त पूर्वीः । शिशुं रिहन्ति मतयः पनिप्नतं हिरण्ययं शकुनं क्षामणि स्थाम् ॥

In the summit of heaven, the ancient utterances of the aspiring powers have fashioned the fair-winged one that has alighted. The thoughts lick and cherish the child, ever-moving—golden bird established in the dwelling of earth.

Mantra 12

ऊर्ध्वो गन्धर्वो अधि नाके अस्थाद्विश्वा रूपा प्रतिचक्षाणो अस्य । भानुः शुक्रेण शोचिषा व्यद्यौत्प्रारूरुचद्रोदसी मातरा शुचिः ॥

Upright, the Gandharva has taken his station on the summit, beholding all forms of this manifestation. With a bright flame of pure light his radiance has flashed wide; he has made the two Mothers—Heaven and Earth—shine out in cleanness.