Pressed by stones, Soma, the radiant and sacred plant, begins his journey, flowing through the filter and entering the bellies of Indra, the mighty god. Among mortals, Soma is the wise discerner, the one who, with insight, opened the hidden cow-stall for the Angirases, the ancient seers. The inspired ones, seeking strength and aid, rejoice in the self-purifying Soma. It is said that the splendid-winged one brought Soma down from the sky, adorned with every noble thought. Around Soma, the seven cows, longing for the tawny one, gather, encircling the purified essence with their streaming waves. In the lap of the waters, the pressing stones seek out this great sage, this being who dwells in the womb of truth. The purified drop of Soma passes beyond all enmity, opening clear and auspicious paths for the worshipper. Like a playful horse, the delightful sage flows around the sacred enclosure, creating cows and clearing the way. From every direction, a hundred streams pour forth, all seeking the radiant Soma, just as waters rush toward their channels. Swift and pure, the streams wrap him in the presence of cows, carrying him on the third back, upon the shining realm of heaven. All that is born from the divine seed are Soma’s offspring, for he is the ruler of all worlds. This universe, in its entirety, is under his control, and Soma is the first to hold the sacred abode. Soma is the ocean, the all-knowing sage, for whom the five regions are established. He embraces both heaven and earth, and his lights shine as the sun itself. Purified in the strainer, Soma is cleansed for the gods and set in the order of the firmament. The first-born seers grasped him, and for his sake, all the worlds have been yoked. Roaring forth with power, Soma goes beyond every unceasing barrier. The tawny one sets his wheel among the woods, and inspired thoughts, yearning, follow together. The hymns press the child, Soma, who is to be purified. With the rays of the sun, he weaves a thread, skillfully spreading it in threefold fashion. He leads forth newer commands of truth and, as lord of beings, approaches the place of purification. As the king of rivers, Soma is purified, the lord of heaven, moving along the paths of truth with a resounding voice. Poured around with a thousand streams, the tawny one generates speech and brings wealth. O Purifier, great wave, you rush forth wondrous as the sun, never failing in your courses. Cleansed by rays and pressed by men with stones, you flow for strength, prosperity, and wealth. For nourishment and vigor, Soma flows forth, settling in the vessels like a falcon returning home. The exhilarating draught, pressed for Indra, is his rapture—lofty, wise, the very pillar of the sky. Seven sisters, along with mothers, have borne this new-born, wondrous, and wise child—Soma, the Gandharva of the waters, divine, visible to men, and king of all worlds. Soma masters these worlds for increase, harnessing the green-winged ones that swiftly carry him. May they pour for him honeyed ghee and milk, and by his command, may all peoples be established. Soma, all-seeing among men, the purifying bull, rushes everywhere, bringing wealth and gold; may we, through his grace, live long in these worlds. Rich in cows and wealth, finder of gold, Soma, who bears the seed, is firmly established among the worlds. Heroic and all-knowing, he is the one to whom the sages come to sing their praises. The wave of honey, adorned with the waters, rises; the mighty bull, clothed in waters, roars forth. The king, whose chariot is the filter, mounts his strength and, with a thousand streams, wins great renown. Soma lifts up the bonds, bestowing offspring, life, and all bounties day by day. Together with Indra, may he grant us wealth, offspring, horses, and cattle through the sacred chant. The exhilarating draught, tawny and active, leads the days with insight, following the bright ones. Moving between two peoples, he advances, upholding both the praise of men and the divine law. They adorn themselves, stirring the mind, clothing themselves with honey. With golden hooves, they seize the bull as he falls into the surge of the river. Sing to the wise, purifying one; like a great stream, Soma flows forth. Like a serpent shedding his old skin, like a horse delighting, the tawny bull moves onward. Foremost, kingly, and mighty, Soma shines. The purifier is set in the realms of the days, tawny, rich in clarified butter, beautiful and oceanic, flowing with a chariot of light for wealth and shelter. The pillar is released, raised high in the sky, and exhilaration pervades the triple world. Thoughts stir the Soma as he flows, when the singers, skilled in song, reach the press. The swift-flowing streams of the purified one move forward, and the forces of the pressed Soma are restrained and advance. When, O Indu, you are mingled with the cows in the vessel, then, well-pressed Soma, you settle in the jars. Flow forth, Soma, endowed with insight and worthy of praise; run around the unclouded filter with your beloved sweetness. Strike down all demons and malicious ones, O Indu, and grant us the power to speak forth with strength in the assembly. Run forth, Soma, settle around the vessel, purified by men, rushing toward the prize. Like a swift horse, being cleansed, you are led to the sacred grass with reins. Armed with his own power, the god Indu is purified, destroyer of harm and protector of people; father of the gods, creator, skillful, support of heaven, and foundation of earth. A seer, wise and the forerunner of peoples, Soma is skillful, thoughtful, and inspired by poetry. He alone discovered what was hidden, the secret name of the cows. This honeyed Soma, O Indra, flows around the filter for the mighty, bearing thousands and hundreds, giving abundantly, and establishing the most enduring seat for the prize-winner. These Somas, seeking cattle, thousands strong, rush forth for great strength, immortality, and fame. Purified by filters, they flow gloriously like chariot-fighters in battle. For you, much-invoked and purified among peoples, Soma brings all food; now bring the offerings carried by the eagle, increasing wealth, and rush toward the prize. Pressed Soma flows around the filter like a released stream, unimpeded, sharp-toothed like a buffalo with horns, seeking cows, like a hero with strength. She has gone forth from the farthest ridge, knowing the wide pastures, and has found the cows; like lightning from the sky thundering among clouds, O Indra, the stream of your Soma is purified. Purified Soma, you go around the herd of cows with Indra, yoked together, granting abundant and ancient gifts. Bestow strength, O powerful one, and let all praise you. This Soma, O Indra, is pressed and purified for you; you are its drinker, its maker, and its strength, Soma for delight and harnessing. He is yoked like a chariot with a broad seat, bringing many great treasures for victory. All the offspring of Nahusha, born of the sun, move upward, delighting in the forest. Like Vayu with his team, desired at sacrifice, like the two Asvins at the call, most gracious, like the all-bestowing givers of wealth, like Pushan, swift in thought—so are you, Soma. Like Indra, who has performed great deeds and slain obstacles, Soma is foremost. Like the thunderbolt-bearer, he is the destroyer of serpentine foes and vanquisher of every enemy. Like Agni, released into the woods, Soma freely creates energies in the rivers. Like a warrior among people, Soma, purified, raises a mighty wave in battle.