Book The Ninth

HYMN I. Soma Pavamana.

1. In sweetest and most gladdening stream

flow pure, O Soma, on thy way,

Pressed out for Indra, for his drink.

2 Fiend-queller, Friend of all men, he hath with the wood attained unto

His place, his iron-fashioned home.

3 Be thou best Vrtra-slayer, best granter of bliss, most liberal:

Promote our wealthy princes' gifts.

4 Flow onward with thy juice unto the banquet of the Mighty Gods:

Flow bither for our strength and fame.

5 O Indu, we draw nigh to thee, with this one object day by day:

To thee alone our prayers are said

6 By means of this eternal fleece may Surya's Daughter purify

Thy Soma that is foaming forth.

7 Ten sister maids of slender form seize him within the press and hold

Him firmly on the final day.

8 The virgins send him forth: they blow the the skin musician-like and fuse

The triple foe-repelling meath.

9 Inviolable milch-kine round about him blend for Indra's drink,

The fresh young Soma with their milk.

10 In the wild raptures of this draught, Indra slays all the Vrtras: he,

The Hero, pours his wealth on us.