In the ancient ritual, the wives of Trita gathered and pressed the tawny Soma with stones, preparing the sacred drop for Indra to drink. As the Soma was purified, it resounded, circling the filter on every side, and streams of honey flowed forth, filling the air with sweetness. The golden Soma, beloved and radiant, was purified and delighted in shining places. It flowed forth to the singers, bringing heroic fame. The mortal who pressed this Soma desired the speech that came from the draught, and prayed that the barking, envious one be driven away, just as the Bhṛgus once destroyed the sacrifice. Soma, foremost in speech, flowed forth with splendid forms, encompassing all acts of wisdom. Most excellent in speech, stirring the oceanic waters, Soma flowed for all peoples. In his greatness, these worlds stood firm, and the rushing streams hastened to him. Soma, strong and pressed, flowed to grant renown among people and to drive away all hatreds. In his friendship, devotees hoped to prevail over adversaries; by his highest glory, they prayed for victory. Soma’s terrible, sharp weapons, ever ready for battle, were invoked for protection from every harm. Mighty and radiant, Soma, the god with a hero’s vow, upheld mighty laws. His heroic power was vigorous, his might unwavering, his pressed juice mighty—truly, he was the greatest among the mighty. Like a strong chariot-horse, he rushed together with the swift, bringing wealth from afar. Radiant with light, the purified Soma who sees the sun was called upon. When sprinkled with waters and purified by the lifespans, he reached the sacred seat in the vessel. Soma flowed forth for heroic strength, delighting, bearing his own weapons, and came with the streams. As the Purifier rose through the filter, his friendship was chosen. His streams, flowing through the filter, were prayed to grant happiness. Soma, the Purifier, was invoked to bring wealth and food with heroes, ruling over all. For the sacrifice, Agni was chosen as messenger—the priest who knows all, of good counsel. Agni, beloved lord of the people and bearer of oblations, was ever called by the clans with offerings. Born on the sacred grass, Agni was invited to bring the gods, for he was the priest, worthy of praise. Mitra and Varuṇa were invoked for the drinking of Soma, both born with purified insight. By truth, they upheld the order, lords of the light of truth. Varuṇa, the protector, and Mitra, with all their aids, were prayed to grant their gracious favor. To Indra, the singers raised their song; with hymns and voices, they praised Indra. Indra, joined in purpose with the two fires and yoked with speech, wielded the golden thunderbolt. Indra was asked to protect in contests and in battles for a thousandfold prize, with his mighty aids. Indra, for far-seeing vision, made the sun rise in the sky; with rays, he broke apart the mountain. To Indra and Agni, great reverence was offered with splendid praise, seeking their help like cows seeking their master. The wise ever praised them thus for help and for winning strength in battle. Indra and Agni were called with eloquent words, eager for wisdom and gifts. Soma, strong, flowed forth with his stream, exhilarating for the Maruts, granting strength and gifts. The purifier, supporter of the two strong ones and seer of the sun, was urged on in contests, swift in battle. With the pure filter, the tawny Soma flowed with his stream, urging his yoked one in the contests. The strong, red one, loudly bellowing, set earth and sky to resound; like Indra’s fire, he was called upon in speech, urging on in the contest. Rich in sap and swelling with juice, Soma flowed, sending forth the sweetest draught, making the stream for Indra as he was poured out. The exhilarating Soma flowed for intoxication, bowing down the hostile, bearing his shining form around like cows, sprinkled and flowing. Indra was invoked for the prize of strength, lord of men, called upon in battles from every side. The wondrous Indra, thunderbolt in hand, praised with might, stone-wielder, was prayed to scatter cattle, horses, and chariots for the devotees, granting strength for victory in every contest.