The devotee approached the divine Soma with reverence, declaring, “O Soma, I do not transgress your sacred laws nor your acts of beneficence. As a father is gracious to his son, so may you, in your exhilaration, show us your favor and protect us from harm.” He continued, “Inspired thoughts pour forth together, like streams descending from the heights. Grant us, Soma, the strength to sustain our lives. In your overflowing joy, uphold us as cups filled with your essence, for your graciousness.” The devotee recognized that by Soma’s powers, the eager and the wise are chosen. In the exhilaration Soma bestows, the inspired seek rich pastures and herds abundant with cattle, yearning for his favor. Soma, protector of cattle, gathers them from far and wide, sustaining life and watching over all beings in his delight. Soma is invoked as the universal guardian, inviolable and strong. The devotee pleaded, “Repel those who wish us harm, O king. In your exhilaration, let no evil-minded one rule over us, but preserve us with your grace.” Soma, wise counselor, awakens strength and bestows fertile fields among men. He protects from hostility and sin, for it is his will to deliver his devotees. As a gracious friend of Indra, the slayer of Vṛtra, Soma is called upon in assemblies, and in his exhilaration, he wishes to deliver those who strive for offspring and home. The devotee recognized the swift exhilaration that grows dear to Indra, for it increases the wisdom of the inspired. Soma stirs up wealth and cattle for the devoted worshipper, bringing forth the best for the seven, and helps cross over blindness and deafness. Splendid thoughts, yoked together, set forth as wondrous chariots, driven by the might of Pūṣan. The people aspire to attain the greatness of Pūṣan, as the inspired one, with hymns, recognizes Indra and Pūṣan among those praised. Pūṣan, mighty and eager, urges on like a herdsman, and the devotee desires him for the accomplishment of thoughts and the help of the inspired. Pūṣan is the winner of sacrifices, swift as horses, a seer and Manu’s chosen, a restraining friend to the inspired. He is lord of the seeker and the pure, and Vāyu, the purifier, cleanses the garments of those who wear them. This friend of abundance, with a tawny beard, is unassailable and lord of prizes. To Pūṣan’s chariot, goats turn the yoke; he is the unfailing friend of all seekers, born together with them. The devotee prays that Pūṣan, strong in might, may harness the chariot of strength and, as increaser of prizes, hear their call. Then the singer proclaims, “Among those who are not, I am the one with force, preparing the pressing for the worshipper. I am the giver of curses and the smiter, upholding truth and destroying the evil-seeker.” If he gathers for battle those who do not worship the gods, intent on themselves, he prepares a strong pressed Soma for the mighty bull and pours it out. He does not know the one who boasts of slaying the godless in battle, but when danger is proclaimed, his bulls speak forth. Among unknown settlements, all the generous were with him. He conquers, knows the secure one, and destroys him, grasping his foot even on the mountain. Neither settlement nor mountain restrains him when he sets his mind; his roar makes ears tremble, and the sun’s rays move together. He sees those without Indra, drinkers of liquor, struck down by arrows, or those who have spoken ill of a friend or turned away from the young. The oxen have gone forth and life has departed; the earlier and later ones have appeared. Two winds circle around him, yet none has reached the far side of his realm. The Aryas count the cows yoked for barley, and he sees them wandering with their herdsmen. The Aryas call them together, but the master chooses among them according to his will. When the people eat barley, he eats within the enclosure. The yoked one seeks the bringer-down, but the unyoked is harnessed by the driver. He speaks truthfully of what is from flesh, two-footed and four-footed beings. Whoever among women divides the virile one in battle, he knows how to apportion his share. Questions are asked: whose daughter is born without dice, who knows her, who would desire the blind one? Who would loosen her bonds, carry her, or wish to marry her? How much is a woman cherished by her husband, surrounded by affection and desirable gifts? The bride is fortunate when well adorned, choosing her friend among the people. The frog has awakened, eating backward, shielding itself with its head. It dries itself sitting upright, and lying flat, follows the ground. The one with broad shade, without leaves, stands nearby; the mother, pierced, eats the embryo. Another, the cow, measures the calf—by what means did the pregnant cow place it within herself? Seven heroes rose from below, lost from the north, gathering at the end. Nine from the west arrived, and ten from the east traverse the ridges, eating. Of ten, one is tawny and common, urged for ritual and crossing. The mother carries the well-nourished embryo in her breasts, delighting and content. The heroes cooked the fat ram; dice were cast, and they played. Two great bows, purified, move about, cleansing as they go. The shouters have gone forth, moving everywhere; the cook is absent, and half the wing is gone. Savitar proclaims, “Let the running one, the butter-eater, go forth.” A village is seen from afar, carried away, moving on wheels by its own law. The Arya sharpens the yoke for the people, and the young ones, measuring with their phallus, are renewed. Two cows are yoked for delight; none should hinder them, but let them refresh again and again. Even the waters are lost for a purpose; sun and monkey become superior. A thunderbolt, widely spread, descends from the sun’s great dung. By this, fame is gained, and something else lies beyond. By this, the aged cross without trembling. From tree to tree, the cow measures; then the young ones fly forth, devouring men. Thus, let all the world be afraid; offer to Indra and heed the seer’s wisdom.