The Somas, radiant as kings honored with praises, are adorned with the wealth of cows, while the sacrifice itself stands noble, arranged by seven skilled officiants. The drops of Soma resound with joy, flowing in strength and song, streaming honeyed sweetness as they move. These luminous draughts quicken the wealth of the dawn; the strong ones spread abundance far and wide. The ancient doors of thought are opened by the active ones, swift with the bull’s mighty energy. The seven-born priests, united in purpose, seek the single path, longing for the one true track. As the navel is set within the navel, so have I placed this for the vision of the sun, drawing forth the offspring of the sage. To the cherished seat of heaven, hidden by the priests, the sun gazes with his all-seeing eye. The Soma drops flow forth on the path of truth, splendid in form, their very arrangements yoked to his will. The foremost stream of honey, vast and great, pervades the waters—an offering praised above all others. The bull, foremost in speech, bellows in the forest, yoked to the task; the true sacrifice dwells within the sacred enclosures. When the sage, purified by his powers, moves among the sacred works, he seeks to win the world of light. The purifying one, like a king, sits among the peoples, conquering foes as the wise urge him on. The beloved golden one sits in the forests, surrounded by unfailing streams, and is praised by the wise. Roaring, he goes with the wind, with Indra and the Ashvins, intoxicated yet ever true to his own law. To Mitra, Varuna, and Bhaga, the honeyed waves flow, guided by his arrangements and powers. May the two worlds grant us wealth, sweetness, strength for victory, fame, and gathered treasures. To you, O Fire, source of delight and wisdom, we choose today as protector—far-reaching and sheltering. To you, gentle, worthy, wise, and thoughtful one, we choose today as guardian—far-reaching and sheltering. To you, giver of wealth, wise counselor, noble in deed, we choose today as our protector—far-reaching and sheltering. The gods generated Agni, the universal one, born from the head of heaven and the support of earth—the sage, the sovereign, guest of the people, ever near, vessel of offerings. All the immortal gods rejoice in you, O newborn Agni, like a child; by your powers they attained immortality when you shone forth between your two parents. The gods generated the universal one as the navel of sacrifices, the seat of riches, the great and mighty charioteer of rites, the very sign of sacrifice. Sing forth to Mitra and Varuṇa with inspired song, for their vast and splendid rule. These two sovereigns, whose origin is in ghee, are praised among the gods as divine among divinities. May your power, great on earth and in the heavens, be strong for us, for mighty is your rule among the gods. Indra, come with your shining light; these pressed drinks are purified for you by our hands, though in small measure. Indra, come, inspired by prayer and accompanied by the wise, to the pressed Soma and the hymns of the singers. Indra, come eagerly, O tawny one, to the hymns; place our pressed Soma for our benefit. Praise him whose flame embraces all things, who with his tongue turns darkness into brightness. He who, kindled, calls for Indra’s favor—such a mortal finds abundant waters and glory. May those swift, prize-bringing gifts carry us and our horses safely, to Indra and Agni, for our journey. The drop has set out to Indra’s dwelling; just as a friend does not abandon a friend, so Soma, like a youth delighting with maidens, rushes in the vessel along a hundredfold path. Your delightful, skillful, and praiseworthy thoughts have advanced in the assemblies; they have sought the tawny one at play, the hymns have surrounded him, and the cows have settled around the milk. O Soma, come to us, flowing with nourishing essence. Indu, pour forth purified in waves. May that which is drawn for us three times daily bring fertile lands, wealth, honeyed strength, and heroic power. No act is wasted or lost; it is ever fruitful, like Indra through sacrifices—vast, unassailable, mighty, and powerful. He is firm, fierce, and victorious in battle, in whom great powers are set free. When he is born, the cows come together, and heaven and earth unite without obstruction. Friends, sit down for the purification and sing. Like a child adorned by sacrifices, surround him for glory. Release him, like a calf to its mothers, for the attainment of life. In divine intoxication, let him be praised among the twice-born. Purify that which accomplishes skill, as for the band, for prosperity; as for Mitra and Varuna, for peace. The mighty one, with a thousand streams, flows forth through the filter, ever fresh and pure. He, the mighty one, thousand-seeded, cleansed with waters and adorned with cows, shines forth, resplendent and new.