Sama Veda

FIRST PART

BOOK VI

Chapter I

Decade V Soma Pavamana

1

In forefront of the cars forth goes the hero, the leader, seeking spoil: his host rejoices.
Soma endues his robe of lasting colours, and blesses, for his friends, their calls on Indra.

2

Thy streams have been poured forth with all their sweetness, when, cleansed thou passest through the woollen filter.
The race of kine thou cleansest, Pavamana! Thou didst beget: and speed the Sun with splendours.

3

Let us sing praises to the Gods: sing loudly, send ye the Soma forth for mighty riches!
Let him flow, sweetly-flavoured, through the filter: let the God Indu settle in the beaker!

4

Urged on, the father of the earth and heaven hath gone forth like a car to gather booty.
Going to Indra, sharpening his weapons, and in his hands containing every treasure.

5

When, by the law of the Most High, in presence of heaven and earth, the fond mind's utterance formed him.
Then, loudly lowing, came the cows to Indu, the chosen, wellloved master in the beaker.

6

Ten sisters, pouring out the rain together, the sage's quickly-moving thoughts, adorn him.
Hither hath run the gold-hued child of Surya, and reached the vat like a fleet vigorous courser.

7

When beauties strive for him as for a charger, then strive the songs as people for the sunlight.
A mighty Sage, he flows enrobed in waters and hymns as 'twree a stall that kine may prosper.

8

Strong Indu, bathed in milk, flows on for Indra, Soma exciting, strength, for his carousal.
He quells malignity and slays the demons, King of the homestead, he who gives us comfort.

9

Pour forth this wealth with this purification: flow onward to the yellow lake, O Indu!
Here, too, the bright one, wind-swift, full of wisdom, shall give a son to him who cometh quickly.

10

Soma, the mighty, when, the waters' offspring, he chose the Gods, performed that great achievement.
He, Pavamana, granted strength to Indra: he, Indu, generated light in Surya.

11

As for a chariot-race, the skilful speaker, first hymn, inventor, hath with song been started.
The sisters ten upon the fleecy summit adorn the car-horse in the resting-places.

12

Hastening onward like the waves of waters our holy hymns are coming forth to Soma.
To him they go with lowly adoration, and, longing, enter him who longs to meet them.