In the sacred ritual, Soma, the divine drink, is yearned for by ten maidens, each longing for him as a bride desires her beloved. Cleansed and prepared, Soma is made ready for the feast, his presence awaited by all. As Indu, he flows sweetly, offering his essence to Indra and Vishnu, and through his power, he protects the men and singers from harm. His streams pour forth like the rains descending from the sky, rushing toward the prize rich in horses and cattle. Soma, the tawny one, perceives all beautiful songs and flows onward, stirring up his weapons, energized and vigilant. Purified by his own powers, he sits firmly—like a majestic elephant, steadfast in his vow, or like a falcon perched atop a pole. May this purified Soma bring us treasures from both heaven and earth, for he is the sacred drop. Exhilarating, Soma surges forth—the stream of the pressed juice rushes out, invigorating all. The dawn, awakened by hymns sung aloud, knows the ritual; the wealth she brings is meant for the Brahmins, distributed by the lord of men. The dawn, goddess of riches and wealth of mortals, moves swiftly, her gentle light shining. From the two shining ones, thousands are given; the dawn continues her swift, gentle journey. From these two, thirty offspring and thousands are given; the dawn, ever swift, ever gentle, moves on. Soma, conqueror of cows, horses, and all things, conqueror in battle, flows to bring us treasures abundant in offspring. He flows for the undeceivable, for the plants, and for the wise women. Purified, Soma crosses all evils, and as a sage, he settles upon the sacred grass. Born anew, shining with light, Soma grows great and approaches all things. Sing to this purified, wise one with the Gayatri meter—to Indu, who possesses a thousand eyes. To him, with a thousand eyes and a thousand strengths, devotees have crossed beyond all barriers. Purified, Soma crosses these barriers, rushing toward the vessels, entering Indra’s heart. For Indra’s favor, Soma flows, wise and strong, bringing us wealth rich in offspring. Indu, who delights in intoxication, flows around with the filter, having brought down the nine rivers. In this way, for Divodasa, Soma destroyed Shambara, and then Turvasha and Yadu. Around us, Indu pours riches—winning horses, cows, gold, streaming in thousands. We choose the friendship of the purified one, rising up to his filter. Those streams from the filter flow forth with force; with them, Soma, be gracious to us. Purifier, grant us wealth rich in heroes and food; Soma, lord of all, bestow it everywhere. Ten swift ones cleanse the mother river, praised together by the Adityas. The pressed Soma flows with Indra and Vayu, through the filter, joined with the rays of the Sun. May Soma flow for our prosperity, for Vayu, for Pūṣan, rich in sweetness, and lovely for Mitra and Varuṇa as well. High in the sky, Soma’s birth is placed, and he grants fierce protection and great renown. With this noble one, we strive to gain all the splendors of humankind, seeking to conquer. Flow for Indra, worthy of worship, for Varuṇa, for the Maruts; pour forth wide paths for us. Born pure, filtered with cows and adorned with fragments, the gods approach Soma. May our songs nourish him, as cows nurture a calf, for he delights the heart of Indra. Soma, flow for us, bringing happiness to the cow; milk out nourishing food and increase the ocean of praise. Purified, Soma has created a wondrous thunder in the sky—a vast, universal light. His juice, the exhilaration of king Soma, flows unimpeded, spreading through every stream. Soma’s skill and radiance shine forth, his light visible everywhere in the heavens. With this excellent exhilaration, Soma purifies himself, destroying evil, divine and heroic. He has slain the hostile Vṛtra and wins the prize day by day, granting cows and horses. Mingled and reddish, Soma settles among nourishing cows, like an eagle in its nest. Flow, Soma, who aids Indra in slaying Vṛtra, who has enveloped the great waters, and grant us your blessings.