Translations of Rig Veda Suktas 33-121 by M.P. Pandit

HYMN 91

Rishi: GOTAMA Deity: SOMA

1. O Soma, we know thee preeminently with our understanding. Thou leadest us along the straight path. O drencher, by thy guidance our wise forefathers obtained wealth among the Gods.

Drencher: of the universe with his sap of Truth.

2. O Soma, thou art the doer of good deeds by thy willings. With skills (of discrimination) thou art powerful. Knower of all, thou art the showerer by thy bounties and by thy greatness. Shining with radiances, thou art the guide of men.

Bounty: of his essence or fulfilling of the wishes of the sacrificer.

3. Thy acts are like those of king Varuna, O Soma, thy glory is vast and profound. O Soma, purifying, thou art dear like Mitra; like Aryaman thou art skilful (in discrimination).

4. With all thy glories in heaven, on earth, in the mountains, in the plants, in the waters, do thou O king Soma, well-disposed, devoid of anger, accept our offerings.

5. O Soma, thou art the master of all-existence. Sovereign, yea, thou art the slayer of Vritra, thou art auspicious Will (in action).

6. Should thou, O Soma, desire life-ambrosia us, for we will not die. Lover of lauds, lord of delight art thou.

7. O Soma, to the old who serves the law of Truth, thou grantest happiness, to the young the discriminative skill to live (long).

8. O king Soma, guard us from every one wishing harm to us. He who has one like thee for friend can never perish.

9. O Soma, do thou promote us with protections that assure happiness to him who offers.

10. Come hither, O Soma, enjoying this our sacrifice and this our mantra. Be thou for our increase.

11. Knowers of the mantra, we increase thee, O Soma: with our lauds. Come unto us, O benign one.

12. Be unto us, O Soma, impeller of journey, remover of diseases, knower of riches, increaser of strength, happily friended.

13. Rejoice in our hearts, O Soma, like kine in fresh pastures, like men in their own homes.

14. O shining Soma, thou makest him who lauds thee for thy friendship skilful (in discrimination), seer.

15. Protect us, O Soma, from calumny, from sin. Be unto us a gracious friend.

16. Increase, O Soma, may vigour unite with thee from every side. Join us to prosperity.

17. O joyous Soma, increase with all thy radiances; be attentive to our growth, be to us a friend.

18. O Soma, may the milk-juices attain to thee, overcomer of foes; so may prosperings and vigours. Waxing for our immortality, hold for us excellent inspirations in Heaven.

Milk-juices: essences of Rays of Consciousness.

19. O Soma, may all thy lustres which are worshipped with offerings invest our sacrifice. Promoter of homes, ferrier (across difficulties), vigorous, harmless to herots, come to our mansions with gates.

Mansions: bodies.

20. To him who offers, Soma gives the cow, the swift steed, hero-son skilled in works, meet for mansion, meet for abode of knowledge, meet for assembly, with the audition of the Fathers.

Hero-son: progeny in the form of disciple to whom the power of the Rishi in transferred.

21. Invincible in battle, guard of our armies, granter of Heaven, giver of Waters, protector of our station, born amid sacrifices, well-housed, well-inspired, victorious in thee we rejoice, O Soma.

22. O Soma, thou hast generated all these herbs, the Waters, the Cows. Thou hast extended the vast firmament. With thy light, thou hast dispelled the darkness.

23. Mighty God Soma, with thy shining thought, direct to us our share in the Wealth. Let none harm thee; thou art lord of strength. Do thou will the discovery of Cows for both (Gods and men).