Religion

Rig Veda 1.28: THERE where the broad-based stone raised on high to press the juices out…

by The Rishis of the Rig Veda c. 1500–1000 BCE (traditional; uncertain)

Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896) · From The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896)

Religion

THERE where the broad-based stone raised on high to press the juices out,
O Indra, drink with eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.

Where, like broad hips, to hold the juice the platters of the press are laid,
O Indra, drink with eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.

There where the woman marks and leans the pestle's constant rise and fall,
O Indra, drink with eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.

Where, as with reins to guide a horse, they bind the churning-staff with cords,
O Indra, drink with eager thirst the droppings which the mortar sheds.

If of a truth in every house, O Mortar thou art set for work,
Here give thou forth thy clearest sound, loud as the drum of conquerors.

O Sovran of the Forest, as the wind blows soft in front of thee,
Mortar, for Indra press thou forth the Soma juice that he may drink.

Best strength-givers, ye stretch wide jaws, O Sacrificial Implements,
Like two bay horses champing herbs.

Ye Sovrans of the Forest, both swift, with swift pressers press to-day
Sweet Soma juice for Indra's drink.

Take up in beakers what remains: the Soma on the filter pour,
and on the ox-hide set the dregs.

MLA

Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 1.28: THERE where the broad-based stone raised on high to press the juices out….” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/27/.

Chicago

Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 1.28: THERE where the broad-based stone raised on high to press the juices out….” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/27/.

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