Rig Veda Sukta 12
Mandala 9Sukta 129 Mantras

Sukta 12

Sukta 9.12

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable)

Dieser Pavamāna-Soma-Hymnus preist die ausgepressten Soma-Tropfen, die, durch den Läuterer eilend, in den Sitz des Ṛta (kosmische Ordnung) gelangen und für Indras Stärkung überaus süß und lichtvoll werden. Er schildert Somās Klärung in Krügen und durch das Sieb; und gipfelt in der Bitte, der geläuterte Indu möge im Verehrer einen sich selbst tragenden, tausendstrahligen Reichtum (rayi) begründen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.12

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaMantras 1, 3-9Soma Pavamāna (for Indra)

    Soma is the pressed and flowing “Indu” that is purified (pavamāna) through the filter, made bright, sweet (madhu), and fit for the gods; in this hymn he streams toward Indra and is stationed in the vessels and the purifier.

  • IndraMantra 2Indra (as recipient) with Soma as offering-power

Mantras

Mantra 1

सोमा असृग्रमिन्दवः सुता ऋतस्य सादने । इन्द्राय मधुमत्तमाः ॥

Die Soma-Tropfen sind hervorgeströmt — ausgepresst — in den Sitz des Ṛta; die honigsüßesten in ihrer Wonne ziehen sie zu Indra hin.

Mantra 2

अभि विप्रा अनूषत गावो वत्सं न मातरः । इन्द्रं सोमस्य पीतये ॥

Zu ihm riefen die inspirierten Seher; die Lichtstrahlen sammeln sich wie Mütter um das Kalb — zu Indra, zum Trank des Soma.

Mantra 3

मदच्युत्क्षेति सादने सिन्धोरूर्मा विपश्चित् । सोमो गौरी अधि श्रितः ॥

Soma, die Trunkenheit der Wonne träufelnd, wohnt fest gegründet im Sitz; wie die Woge des Stromes, klar im Erkennen, ruht er auf der leuchtenden Gaurī.

Mantra 4

दिवो नाभा विचक्षणोऽव्यो वारे महीयते । सोमो यः सुक्रतुः कविः ॥

Aus dem Nabel des Himmels wird der klarblickende Soma im Strom des Wollfilters groß gemacht; er, dessen Wille recht und licht ist, der Kavi, wächst in uns.

Mantra 5

यः सोमः कलशेष्वाँ अन्तः पवित्र आहितः । तमिन्दुः परि षस्वजे ॥

Jener Soma, der in den Krügen eingesetzt ist, innen im Läuterer niedergelegt — ihn umschlingt der leuchtende Indu ringsum.

Mantra 6

प्र वाचमिन्दुरिष्यति समुद्रस्याधि विष्टपि । जिन्वन्कोशं मधुश्चुतम् ॥

Der Indu treibt das Wort hervor, von der Höhe her, über dem Ozean, auf dem Sitz; er belebt das Gefäß, das Honig träufelt.

Mantra 7

नित्यस्तोत्रो वनस्पतिर्धीनामन्तः सबर्दुघः । हिन्वानो मानुषा युगा ॥

Stets gepriesen, Vanaspati, im Innern der Gedanken reichlich melkender Spender; der die menschlichen Yugas antreibt.

Mantra 8

अभि प्रिया दिवस्पदा सोमो हिन्वानो अर्षति । विप्रस्य धारया कविः ॥

Soma, angetrieben, strömt zu den geliebten Stätten des lichtvollen Himmels; der Seher (kaví) bewegt sich im inspirierten Sänger (vípra) durch seinen Strom.

Mantra 9

आ पवमान धारय रयिं सहस्रवर्चसम् । अस्मे इन्दो स्वाभुवम् ॥

O Pavamāna, bringe und festige uns den Reichtum — Fülle mit tausend Strahlen; o Indu, mache ihn in uns wohlgeboren und selbsttragend.

Inside Sukta 12

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma-drops surge forth, pressed and entering the seat of Ṛta, moving honey-sweet toward Indra (RV 9.12.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn dwells on the concrete ritual imagery of purification—Soma placed in jars and set within the purifier—while emphasizing brightness, sweetness, and fitness for divine reception (e.g., RV 9.12.5).

  3. Climax

    The purified Indu is invoked as the active giver: to bring and uphold a thousand-rayed plenitude (rayi) for the worshipper (RV 9.12.9).

  4. Where it settles

    The prayer settles into assurance and request: Soma’s clarified essence should remain well-born, stable, and self-sustaining within us, linking rite to lasting benefit.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna, as offered for Indra

  • Cosmic functionHe mediates between human rite and divine power: by purification and offering, Soma becomes the energizing essence that upholds Ṛta and empowers Indra’s victorious force.
  • Inner significanceThe clarifying flow symbolizes refinement of consciousness—impulses and energies are ‘filtered’ into a lucid, honeyed clarity that can support inner strength, right order, and radiant abundance.

The seer

  • Asita Kāśyapa (traditional Anukramaṇī attribution)Kāśyapa-gotra (Kāśyapa lineage) · Counted among the seers connected with Soma-Pavamāna hymns, associated with the inner and ritual purification motif central to Mandala 9.

Famous verses

ṛtasya sādane
Verse 9.12.1Sets the hymn’s core frame: pressed Soma flowing into Ṛta and toward Indra, highlighting sweetness (madhu) and empowerment.Read verse 9.12.1 →
यः सोमः कलशेष्वाँ अन्तः पवित्र आहितः । तमिन्दुः परि षस्वजे ॥
Verse 9.12.5Iconic purification imagery—Soma set within jars and the pavitra—showing the transformation from raw juice to clarified, embraceable Indu.Read verse 9.12.5 →
rayiṃ sahasravarcasam
Verse 9.12.9Concluding boon: asks Pavamāna to establish ‘thousand-rayed’ prosperity that is stable and self-sustaining for the worshipper.Read verse 9.12.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Pavamāna (self-purifying/being purified)
  • Indu (luminous drop)
  • Madhu (honey-sweet delight)
  • Ṛtasya sādana (seat of cosmic order)
  • Clarified through pavitra (filter)
  • Bestower of rayi (plenitude/wealth)
  • Strengthener of Indra (heroic power)

Also by this seer

  • Associated in tradition with other Soma-Pavamāna hymns in RV Mandala 9 (Anukramaṇī-based attributions vary by hymn).
  • Kāśyapa seers are broadly linked with hymns on cosmic order (Ṛta), purification, and prosperity across the Saṃhitā.

The rite, step by step

  • Soma is pressed (suta) and its juice expressed as flowing drops (indavaḥ).
  • The juice is run through the pavitra (wool/grass filter) for clarification (pavamāna).
  • Purified Soma is collected/settled in vessels and jars (kalaśa).
  • Libations are offered with recitation to invite Indra and strengthen his power.
  • A concluding petition is made for rayi—radiant, stable prosperity—to be established in the sacrificer.

Offerings

  • Purified Soma libations
  • Associated oblations customary to Soma rites (water for mixing, ritual accompaniment offerings as per śrauta procedure)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma as he is pressed and purified through the filter, becoming sweet and luminous, and then offered toward Indra. It ends by asking Soma to bring radiant prosperity to the worshipper.

It means the purified Soma is aligned with Ṛta—cosmic truth and right order. The offering is not just a drink, but a force that supports harmony and rightful power.

It asks for “wealth/abundance with a thousand lights,” meaning a strong, radiant, many-sided prosperity—outer well-being and inner brightness together.

Ask anything about Sukta 12 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play