The first hymn of the ninth book of the Rgveda.
The entire ninth book of the Rgveda is devoted to "Soma purifying
himself" (with a few exceptions). The first hymn is attributed to the
seer-poet Madhucchandas, son of Visvamitra; it is in the Gayatri metre (3 x 8
syllables):
- In a most delicious and exhilerating stream, purify yourself, o Soma,
pressed for Indra, to drink.
- The destroyer of demons, belonging to all tribes, proceeds to his beloved
spot, hammered with metal, and sits down in his seat of wood (the vessel for the
pressed Soma).
- Be the best giver of space, most bounteous, the best destroyer of the
obstructor; bring the liberality of the magnanimous to fulfilment.
- Flow with your sap to the invitation of the great gods, to the power-prize
and to fame.
- To you we go, to one and the same aim, day after day; o Soma; in you are
our expectations.
- The daughter of the sun (the art of inpired poetry and song composition)
purifies the Soma juice of you (o deva Soma), through the hairs (of the sieve).
- Him the ten tender young women (the presser's fingers) seize in collaboration,
the sisters, on the decisive day;
- him the virgins (the presser's fingers) set in motion, they blow (empty by
pressing?) the bag made of bakura; the honey is threefold protective.
- And the milk cows mix the calf, the Soma, (with milk), for Indra, to
drink.
- In the exhilerations of this (Soma), Indra destroys all obstructions and
obstructors, and the hero is magnanimous with magnanimous gifts.
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