Rig Veda Sukta 16
Mandala 9Sukta 168 Mantras

Sukta 16

Sukta 9.16

Dieser Pavamāna-Soma-Hymnus preist den gepressten Soma, der aus den Presssteinen hervorschießt und durch den wollenen Filter läuft, wobei er zu einer strahlenden, berauschenden (inspirierenden) Essenz wird, die der Götter würdig ist. Somas rasches, strömendes Fließen wird mit dem Erwachen innerer Kraft — besonders Indras Stärke — sowie mit der Schärfung von Einsicht und Lebenskraft im Verehrer verknüpft.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.16

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaMantras 1-4, 6-8Soma Pavamāna

    Soma is the pressed plant-juice made divine: bright, swift, and roaring as it is expressed, then purified as it courses through the sheep’s-wool filter, becoming the gods’ drink and the source of exhilaration and inspired vision.

  • IndraMantra 5as receiver/strengthener through Soma

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र ते सोतार ओण्यो रसं मदाय घृष्वये । सर्गो न तक्त्येतशः ॥

Vorwärts für dich, o Soma, senden die Presser den Saft aus – zur Wonne des Rausches und zur leuchtenden Glut; wie ein losgelassener Strom schießt er dahin, wie ein schneller Hengst in seinem Lauf.

Mantra 2

क्रत्वा दक्षस्य रथ्यमपो वसानमन्धसा । गोषामण्वेषु सश्चिम ॥

Durch Willen und die Kraft der Einsicht wird er zur Wagenbahn wirksamer Kunst; in die Wasser gekleidet mit seinem Presssaft wandelt er auf feinen Spuren und sucht die leuchtenden Herden des Wissens.

Mantra 3

अनप्तमप्सु दुष्टरं सोमं पवित्र आ सृज । पुनीहीन्द्राय पातवे ॥

Lass in das Sieb den Soma strömen, ungebunden in den Wassern und schwer zu durchqueren; läutere ihn für Indra zum Trank, damit der Herr der lichten Kraft die geklärte Wonne empfange.

Mantra 4

प्र पुनानस्य चेतसा सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । क्रत्वा सधस्थमासदत् ॥

Vorwärts stürmt Soma, durch erwachtes Bewusstsein geläutert; durch das Sieb (pavitra) strömt er. Durch krátu, die Kraft des rechten Willens, gelangt er zum gemeinsamen Sitz und nimmt dort Platz.

Mantra 5

प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥

Zu dir, o Indra, werden mit Verneigungen, o Soma, die Ströme freigesetzt; die Schaffenden (in uns) senden sie zu großem Tragen — zu reichlichem Herantragen von Kraft und Vollendung.

Mantra 6

पुनानो रूपे अव्यये विश्वा अर्षन्नभि श्रियः । शूरो न गोषु तिष्ठति ॥

Sich läuternd in unvergänglicher Gestalt, strömt er zu allen Glanzkräften; wie ein Held steht er fest unter den Strahlen — den Kühen — und hütet und hält die lichten Herden des Wissens.

Mantra 7

दिवो न सानु पिप्युषी धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । वृथा पवित्रे अर्षति ॥

Wie der Himmelsrücken strömt der anschwellende Strom des ausgepressten Soma des Weisen (vedhas) durch den Läuterer — nicht vergeblich, sondern zur wirksamen Vollendung des Werkes.

Mantra 8

त्वं सोम विपश्चितं तना पुनान आयुषु । अव्यो वारं वि धावसि ॥

Du, o Soma, dich aus deiner eigenen Natur reinigend, läufst durch das wollene Sieb und machst die Lebenskräfte immer einsichtsvoller und lichtvoller.

Inside Sukta 16

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens with the pressers sending Soma’s essence forward—swift and impetuous—aimed at exhilaration and shining ardour.

  2. Development

    Soma’s movement is portrayed as a powerful stream: released, driven, and purified through the filter; its purpose expands from ritual action to divine empowerment (notably Indra) and to inner increase of force and discernment.

  3. Climax

    Soma, self-purifying, runs through the woollen strainer and heightens vipaścit (luminous intelligence) within the life-powers—purification becomes revelation.

  4. Where it settles

    The flow is stabilized as a fit offering: Soma’s clarified current is affirmed as the bearer of strength, fulfillment, and awakened insight for gods and worshippers.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and divine power: Soma nourishes the gods (especially empowering Indra), sustains ṛta (ordered movement), and renews life through the cycle of pressing, flowing, and offering.
  • Inner significanceThe clarified stream of consciousness: as Soma is ‘purified,’ the mind and life-breath become more lucid (vipaścit), energized, and capable of inspired perception and effective action.

The seer

  • Kāṇva (Kāṇva tradition; verse-level attributions vary in the Soma Pavamāna corpus)Kāṇva (Kanva) gotra / family of seers · A principal rishi-lineage associated with Soma-Pavamāna hymns and with vivid imagery of purification through the strainer (pavitra), linking ritual flow to inspired speech and strength.

Famous verses

प्र ते सोतार ओण्यो रसं मदाय घृष्वये । सर्गो न तक्त्येतशः ॥
Verse 9.16.1Sets the hymn’s central image: Soma’s essence propelled forward by the pressers, rushing like a released surge and driven like a swift steed—capturing both ritual dynamism and spiritual impetus.Read verse 9.16.1 →
प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥
Verse 9.16.5Highlights Soma’s destination and function: released with reverence toward Indra for ‘great bearing’—the carrying of power, victory, and accomplishment through the Soma-streams.Read verse 9.16.5 →
avyo vāraṃ vi dhāvasi
Verse 9.16.8States the inner-ritual culmination: Soma purifies by his own nature and runs through the woollen strainer, increasing discerning luminosity (vipaścit) in the life-forces.Read verse 9.16.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying (pavamāna) and self-clarifying
  • Swift-flowing, forceful, and radiant
  • Giver of madhu/mada (rapture, inspiration, ecstasy)
  • Empowerer of Indra and the gods
  • Associated with the woollen strainer (avyā vāra / pavitra)

Also by this seer

  • Major portions of Rig Veda Mandala 8 (many Kāṇva hymns)
  • Multiple hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 9 (Soma Pavamāna collections attributed to Kāṇvas in the Anukramaṇī tradition)

The rite, step by step

  • Preparation of the Soma plant and pressing area; arranging the strainer (pavitra/avyā vāra)
  • Pressing (savana) with stones; collecting the expressed rasa (juice/essence)
  • Purification: letting Soma run through the woollen filter while reciting Pavamāna verses
  • Mixing/strengthening (as customary) with water and adjuncts according to rite; directing the flow to Indra and other deities
  • Offering into the fire and/or into the appropriate vessels for the gods; concluding with praise for strength, clarity, and fulfillment

Offerings

  • Purified Soma juice (rasa)
  • Water for mixing and cleansing
  • Milk/curds (as ritually appropriate in Soma preparations)
  • Ghee and accompanying oblations in the broader Soma rite

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma as he is pressed and purified, describing his swift flow through the filter and his power to inspire ecstasy, strength, and clear understanding.

Indra is the chief receiver of Soma in many Vedic rituals; the hymn emphasizes that purified Soma strengthens Indra’s might and supports victorious, effective power.

Ritually, Soma is filtered through sheep’s wool to clarify the juice. Symbolically, it points to inner purification—refining the mind and life-force into brighter, more discerning awareness.

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