The ancient sages gathered, their hearts uplifted in sacred song, and praised the One who is purified by those primordial hymns. Their inspired thoughts, bearing the names of the gods, rejoiced in his presence. This mighty being, Soma, flowed forth in an unaging, undiminished stream, continually purified by the wise. As a mindful messenger, aware of all that lies ahead, the sages guided him with reverence. Purified and most exhilarating, Soma settled into the waiting cups. Like a powerful bull sowing seed, the lord inspired speech and wisdom among those who partook. Through skillful acts, Soma was cleansed, pressed for the gods by the hands of men; and when poured out, he penetrated the vast, great waters, carrying his essence far and wide. Men led the pressed Soma through the filter, calling him Indu, most exhilarating for Indra, and he settled again in the cups, ready for the gods. The honest ones called upon him for Indra’s delight, cherishing the newly-born Soma as mothers lovingly lick their newborn calf. O Indu, purifying, you bring forth twice-strengthened wealth, nurturing all forms of riches in the worshipper’s home. Soma released wisdom yoked with mind, like rain from thunderclouds, fostering both earthly and heavenly treasures. As the stream of the pressed one rushed forth, so did Soma’s current, swift as a racing horse, moving through the filter. For resolve, for skill, for our sake, O wise Soma, purify us with your stream; pressed for Indra’s drink, and for Mitra and Varuna as well. Purify, O bestower of strength, with your honeyed stream in the filter—Soma pressed for Indra, Vishnu, and all the gods. The mothers cherished you, the tawny one, in the filter, O pure one, just as cows cherish their newborn calf, watching your course with affection. Purifying one, you went forth with great fame and brilliant rays, striking down hostile forces in every worshipper’s home. With a great vow, you embraced both sky and earth, releasing the coverings and revealing your greatness. The leaders were summoned to prepare Soma for pressing, for the gods’ delight, while friends drove away the long-tongued dog, keeping the sacrifice pure. Soma, flowing forth with stream and fire, was fit for action, like a spirited horse. Men approached him, free from anger, full of universal wisdom, urging the sacrifice onward with stones. The pressed Somas, most honeyed, gladdened Indra, flowing filtered so that their delights might reach all the gods. For Indra, Soma was purified, as the gods declared: lord of speech, master of sacrifice, ruler of all power. With a thousand streams, Soma was purified, like an ocean seeking speech, lord of riches and Indra’s companion day by day. As Pūṣan, the bringer of wealth and fortune, Soma flowed purified, revealing both heaven and earth. The eager, beloved cows hastened for exhilaration, and the purified Somas made their paths, the drops proceeding onward. “O Purifying One,” the sages prayed, “bring us that most powerful glory by which you surpass the five peoples, by which we may win wealth.” The purified Soma drops flowed, bestowing the means of approach—friendly, well-pressed, stainless, self-sustaining, and knowers of the light. Well-pressed by the stones, they spread out on the cow’s skin, bringing nourishment from all sides, bestowers of wealth. These purified, wise Somas held their heads high, radiant as suns, steadfast as they moved in clarified butter. Let no mortal reject the word of the Soma-presser; drive away the lawless dog, as the Bhṛgus once destroyed the demon. At dawn, the offspring extended, like a son in his parents’ lap, moving swiftly—like a lover to women, like a suitor to his bride’s home. That hero, skilled and mighty, who upheld heaven and earth, the tawny one, extended himself in the purifier, like a craftsman returning to his place of origin. With streams, Soma was purified on the cow’s skin, roaring and mighty, coming forth for Indra, released from the press. Soma, the child of the great ones, urging on the brightness of truth, became dear to all, encompassing all beloved, without a second. When he entered the hidden place of Trita’s stone, with the seven abodes of sacrifice, he reached the beloved. With three supports on the backs, by Trita’s power, he measured out wealth, wisely determining his courses. Seven mothers, creators, adorned the newborn Soma for glory; steadfast among riches, he perceived what was to be known. By his ordinance, all the gods, united and without deceit, found delight in the pleasures he brought. The twin sisters, growing in truth, produced a lovely child for vision—a poet, mighty at sacrifice, much desired. In harmony and by their own nature, the swift mothers of truth shaped the sacrifice and adorned him, the human-born. With insight and shining eyes, he opened the pen of heaven, urging on the brightness of truth as he advanced at the sacrifice. The sages raised their voices for the purified, wise Soma, honoring him as a sustainer who delighted in offerings of thought. Shining with cows, Soma flowed through the unexhausted coverings, the tawny one, being purified, making three abodes. Thus Soma, ever-purified, inspired, and cherished, flowed forth—bestower of wisdom, wealth, and delight to gods and men.