Religion
Rig Veda 9.17: LIKE rivers down a steep descent, slaying the Vrtras, full of zeal
Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith (1896) · From The Hymns of the Rigveda (1896)
LIKE rivers down a steep descent, slaying the Vrtras, full of zeal,
The rapid Soma-streams have flowed.
The drops of Soma juice effused fall like the rain upon the earth:
To Indra flow the Soma-streams.
With swelling wave the gladdening drink, the Soma, flows into the sieve,
Loving the Gods and slaying fiends.
It hastens to the pitchers, poured upon the sieve it waxes strong
At sacrifices through the lauds.
Soma, thou shinest mounting heaven as 'twere above light's triple realm,
And moving secm'st to speed the Sun.
To him, the head of sacrifice, singers and bards have sung their songs,
Offering what he loves to see.
The men, the sages with their hymns, eager for help, deck thee strong steed,
Deck thee for service of the Gods.
Flow onward to the stream of meath rest efficacious in thy home,
Fair, to be drunk at sacrifice.
Cite this poem
MLA
Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 9.17: LIKE rivers down a steep descent, slaying the Vrtras, full of zeal.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/738/.
Chicago
Veda, The Rishis of the Rig. “Rig Veda 9.17: LIKE rivers down a steep descent, slaying the Vrtras, full of zeal.” Translated by Ralph T. H. Griffith. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/rigveda-rishis/738/.
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