The sacred Soma, pressed with devotion and vigor, begins its journey, its exhilarating drops gathering strength and melody as they flow and swirl within the vessel. These luminous drops, the drinkers of light, have brought forth the radiant wealth of dawn for Vivasvat, and in their might, they widen the pathways for all. The potent channels of this active, mighty one open the ancient doors of thought, granting inspiration and vision to the poets. Within this sacred rite, the seven sons of the hotar, united in purpose, sit together, seeking the one true path. As one navel is placed to another, so is Soma carefully set in its place, and just as the eye follows the sun, so too does Soma draw forth the offspring of the sage. The shining one, Soma, with his all-seeing eye, beholds the beloved seat of heaven, a secret sanctum established by the priests. O men, sing with reverence to Indu, the purifying one, for the gods themselves approach him. The Atharvans surround Soma with honeyed milk, offering god to god, divine to divine. Flow for us, O Soma, bringing blessings to the cows, to the people, to the charioteers, to the kings, and to the plants. Now, let us praise the tawny, self-reliant, ruddy Soma, who touches the sky, with our songs. Purify the pressed Soma with hand-moved stones; let him run with sweetness, let him flow with honey. Bow down, sit near, and listen to the vessel; place the sacred drop for Indra. Soma, destroyer of foes and wise one, flow for the cows, for the gods, fulfilling their desires. Soma, you are poured for Indra to drink, to bring exhilaration; even the mind, lord of the mind, longs for you. Purifying one, grant us heroic strength, bestow wealth upon us, with Indra as our ally. The pressed Soma juices flow forth, seated in the place of truth, most sweet for Indra. The sages, like cows calling to their calf, invite Indra to partake of Soma. Flowing with intoxication, Soma settles in the seat, the wave of the river; the wise Soma rests upon the cow. From the navel of heaven, Soma, the discerning and poetic one, is magnified in the waters. That Soma, placed within the vessels and the filter, is embraced by Indu. From the summit of the ocean, Indu sends forth speech, stirring the honey-dropping vessel. The ever-praised tree, full of milk within, pours forth for the generations of men. Soma, pouring forth, rushes to the beloved seat of heaven, the poet with the wisdom of the sage. O purifying one, bring us wealth with a thousand splendors, O Indu, our own. Soma, being purified, flows forth in a thousand streams, mighty and unconquered, for the offerings of Vayu and Indra. O singers, praise the purified, inspired Soma, pressed for the favor of the gods. The Somas, rich in a thousand powers, are purified for the gaining of strength, praised for the gods’ favor. For the gaining of strength, purify for us great riches, O radiant Indu, and glorious heroism. May those pressed Indus, the gods themselves, purify for us a thousandfold wealth and glorious heroism. Like swift horses urged by charioteers, they rush forth, unrestrained, breaking through all barriers in their quest for strength. The Indus, strong and flowing, like cows to their calf, have settled in the hands. The beloved, exhilarating, roaring Soma, once purified, is pleasing to Indra; he destroys all enemies. The purified ones, shining like the sun, drive away the hostile and rest in the womb of the pressing-stone. The sage, Soma, spreads himself out, resting upon the wave of the river, bearing the work so greatly desired. When the five clans, united with their kin, raise their voices, they purify the pressing-stone. All the gods delight in the juice of this mighty one, especially when he is clothed with cows. Pressed out, Soma runs forth, casting off his coverings and joining with his yoke-fellow. Pure and young, like the offspring of Vivasvat, he cleanses himself with his kin, making the cows pass through the strainer. He goes beyond obstacles, crossing the narrow path, seeking the wealth of cattle and stirring the one who knows him. The streams come together, purifying the lord of nourishment, as the swift ones seize his back. Thus, through these sacred flows and rites, Soma, the source of inspiration, strength, and abundance, fulfills the desires of gods and men, uniting heaven and earth in his journey.