From ancient times, the radiant essence of Soma, the thousand-streamed seer, was drawn forth by the tireless ones. Brilliant and ever-shining, Soma revealed himself, his light spreading in all directions like the sun, yet distinct from it. He coursed through the sacred rivers, ascending the seven channels that reach to the sky. Purified and exalted, Soma stood above all worlds, a god in his own right. For the sake of divine aid, Soma flowed around the worshipers, bestowing wealth, cattle, and blessings, his pure drops offered especially for Indra. Again and again, Soma was invoked to pour out his nourishing essence, granting all good fortune to those who sought him. As hymns of praise rose up, the freshly pressed juice of Soma was invited to settle upon the sacred grass, the beloved seat prepared for him. Flowing with vigor, Soma brought forth cows and swift horses, his gifts manifesting in the days of his worship. Soma was the unconquered conqueror, the fearless vanquisher of foes, victorious by thousands. As he flowed, swift and vast, through the filter of truth, he drove away demons and revealed his divine nature. When Soma streamed forth for strength, with a hundred unceasing currents, he entered into a deep friendship with Indra. Ten maidens, like eager brides, yearned for him, the beloved; Soma was cleansed and made ready for the sacred feast. Soma, the Indu, was invoked to flow sweetly for Indra and Vishnu, to protect the people and singers from harm. His streams rushed forth like rains from the sky, seeking the prize rich in horses and cattle. Seeing all beautiful hymns, Soma, the tawny one, stirred up his weapons, ever ready. Purified by his own power, he sat firm as a kingly elephant, steadfast in his vow, or as a falcon perched at the summit. From his divine purity, he was asked to bring treasures from heaven and earth. Exhilarating and swift, the stream of Soma’s pressed juice surged forth, bringing joy. At dawn, the hymns were chanted aloud, and the juice was distributed among the Brahmins by the lord of men. Dawn herself, the swift and gentle goddess of riches, moved quickly, bestowing wealth upon mortals. From the two shining ones, thousands were given; thirty offspring and thousands more flowed from them, as dawn moved gracefully. Again, Soma was called to flow as the conqueror—of cows, of horses, of all, even in battle—bringing treasure rich in offspring. He was asked to flow for the undeceivable, for the plants, and for the wise women. Purified, Soma crossed over all evils and, as a sage, took his seat upon the sacred grass. Bringer of light, Soma was born great, approaching all things with his divine presence. Singers were urged to praise the purified, wise Soma with the Gayatri meter, for he was Indu, the thousand-eyed. With a thousand eyes and strengths, Soma helped people cross beyond barriers. Purified, he rushed toward the vessels, entering Indra’s heart. For Indra’s favor, Soma was called to flow, bringing wealth rich in offspring. Soma, delighting in intoxication, flowed around the filter, having brought down the nine rivers. In earlier times, for Divodasa, he destroyed Shambara, and then Turvasha and Yadu. Soma was invoked to pour around the worshipers, bringing riches that win horses, cows, and gold, streaming forth in a thousand ways. The people chose Soma’s friendship, rising up to his filter, seeking his gracious streams. With force, his filtered streams were asked to bring wealth rich in heroes and food, for Soma is the lord of all, granting abundance everywhere. Ten swift ones cleansed the mother river, their work praised by the Adityas. The pressed Soma flowed together with Indra and Vayu, passing through the filter and joining with the sun’s rays. Soma was called to flow for prosperity, for Vayu, for Pūṣan, rich in sweetness, and to be pleasing to Mitra and Varuṇa. High in the sky, Soma’s birth was placed, and fierce protection and great renown were sought from him. With Soma’s power, the worshipers hoped to gain all the splendors of humanity, striving ever to conquer. Thus, Soma was invoked to flow for Indra, for Varuṇa, for the Maruts, and to pour forth wide, open paths for all.