Rig Veda

Book 9, Hymn XVII. Soma Pavamana

1. LIKE rivers down a steep descent, slaying the Vṛtras, full of zeal,
The rapid Soma-streams have flowed.

2 The drops of Soma juice effused fall like the rain upon the earth:
To Indra flow the Soma-streams.

3 With swelling wave the gladdening drink, the Soma, flows intoṭhe sieve,
Loving the Gods and slaying fiends.

4 It hastens to the pitchers, poured upon the sieve it waxes strong
At sacrifices through the lauds.

5 Soma, thou shinest mounting heaven as ’twere above light's triple realm,
And moving secm'st to speed the Sun.

6 To him, the head of sacnfice, singers and bards have sung their songs,
Offering what he loves to see.

7 The men, the sages with their hymns, eager for help, deck thee strong &teed,
Deck thee for service of the Gods.

8 Flow onward to the stream of meath rest efficacious in thy home,
Fair, to be drunk at sacrifice.