Rig Veda Sukta 17
Mandala 9Sukta 178 Mantras

Sukta 17

Sukta 9.17

Rishi

Kāṇva (general for adjacent pavamāna material; hymn-level attribution may vary)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (probable)

Dieser Pavamāna-Soma-Hymnus preist den ausgepressten Soma, der wie ein Strom vorwärtsstürzt, Hindernisse zerschmettert und sich auf dem Weg zu den Göttern durch das Sieb reinigt. Soma wird dafür gerühmt, dass er über die „drei lichten Bereiche“ hinaus aufsteigt und mit einem sonnenhaften Drang leuchtet, der Licht und Lebenskraft vorantreibt. Der Hymnus gipfelt in der Einladung an den süßen, kraftvollen Strom, seinen Sitz im gemeinsamen Opferraum einzunehmen — schön für ṛta (Wahrheit/Ordnung) und geeignet zum göttlichen Trank.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.17

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaMantras 1, 3-8Soma Pavamāna

    Soma in the act of purification, pressed, flowing, filtered, and made radiant, depicted as swift, whirling, sweet-streaming, and victorious over obstructions (vṛtra).

  • IndraMantra 2as the receiver of Soma

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र निम्नेनेव सिन्धवो घ्नन्तो वृत्राणि भूर्णयः । सोमा असृग्रमाशवः ॥

Vorwärts stürmen die schnellen Somas wie Flüsse einen Abhang hinab, die Vṛtras, die Hemmnisse, erschlagend; wirbelnd in ihrer Kraft eilen sie dahin und zerbrechen, was den freien Lauf versperrt.

Mantra 2

अभि सुवानास इन्दवो वृष्टयः पृथिवीमिव । इन्द्रं सोमासो अक्षरन् ॥

Ausgepresst, o Indus, ergießt ihr euch wie Regen auf die Erde; zu Indra hin strömen die Somas und fließen in ihn ein.

Mantra 3

अत्यूर्मिर्मत्सरो मदः सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । विघ्नन्रक्षांसि देवयुः ॥

Soma, eine überwallende Woge der Trunkenheit, der Wonne und Süße, strömt durch den Läuterer und zerschlägt die feindlichen Mächte der Finsternis; denn gottbegehrend strebt er zu den Göttern.

Mantra 4

आ कलशेषु धावति पवित्रे परि षिच्यते । उक्थैर्यज्ञेषु वर्धते ॥

In die Krüge eilt er; im Läuterer wird er ringsum ausgegossen; durch die Lobgesänge in den Opfern wächst er, an Kraft zunehmend.

Mantra 5

अति त्री सोम रोचना रोहन्न भ्राजसे दिवम् । इष्णन्त्सूर्यं न चोदयः ॥

Über die drei lichten Welten hinausgehend, o Soma, steigst du empor und leuchtest im Himmel; wie die Sonne antreibend, treibst du voran — das innere Licht zu seinem vollen Lauf drängend.

Mantra 6

अभि विप्रा अनूषत मूर्धन्यज्ञस्य कारवः । दधानाश्चक्षसि प्रियम् ॥

Zu dir singen die Seher; die Schöpfer des Wortes hinauf zum Haupt, zum Gipfel des Opfers; die geliebte Wonne tragend, schauen sie sie im Schauen (inneren Sehen).

Mantra 7

तमु त्वा वाजिनं नरो धीभिर्विप्रा अवस्यवः । मृजन्ति देवतातये ॥

Dich, jenen mächtigen Soma, wie ein siegreiches Ross, reinigen die Männer — Seher, nach Beistand verlangend — mit ihren Gedanken, damit in ihnen das göttliche Wirken zur Geburt komme.

Mantra 8

मधोर्धारामनु क्षर तीव्रः सधस्थमासदः । चारुॠताय पीतये ॥

Der Strom der Süße folgend ströme; voll scharfer Kraft nimm Platz auf dem gemeinsamen Sitz des Opfers — lieblich für Ṛta, zum Trank.

Inside Sukta 17

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma’s forward surge is likened to rivers rushing down a slope, violently clearing away all obstructions.

  2. Development

    The hymn expands Soma’s power from ritual motion to cosmic ascent—he passes beyond the three luminous realms and shines in heaven, impelling light like the Sun.

  3. Climax

    Soma’s sun-like driving force becomes a revelation of luminous propulsion: he ‘urges’ and sets the inner radiance in motion while remaining victor over barriers.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn settles into ritual completion: the sweet stream is invited to flow on and take its seat in the common ritual place, beautiful for ṛta and for divine drinking.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaHe is compared to rivers in descent and to the Sun in his power to impel and illumine.
  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and luminous order: Soma’s purified flow strengthens the gods, sustains ṛta, and enables the victorious movement of life-force and rain/light through the worlds.
  • Inner significanceThe clarified current of consciousness: purification of impulses into a clear, sweet, truth-bearing energy that breaks inner blockages and lifts awareness beyond habitual limits.

The seer

  • Kāṇva (Kāṇva tradition; hymn-level attribution may vary)Kāṇva gotra (descendants of Kaṇva) · A major seer-family of the Rig Veda, especially prominent for inspired praise-poetry and for extensive participation in Soma-Pavamāna hymnody and ritual vocabulary.

Famous verses

प्र निम्नेनेव सिन्धवो घ्नन्तो वृत्राणि भूर्णयः । सोमा असृग्रमाशवः ॥
Verse 9.17.1Sets the hymn’s signature imagery: Soma as a river-like, whirling force that smites vṛtra—expressing purification as victorious movement.Read verse 9.17.1 →
ati trī soma rocanā
Verse 9.17.5Articulates Soma’s transcendent ascent beyond the ‘three rocanā’ and his sun-like role in impelling light—linking ritual flow to cosmic illumination.Read verse 9.17.5 →
cārur ṛtāya pītaye
Verse 9.17.8Concludes with the ritual and ethical center: Soma’s sweet stream is enthroned in the shared seat of the rite, ‘beautiful for ṛta,’ emphasizing truth-ordered offering and reception.Read verse 9.17.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying/clarifying (pavamāna)
  • Swift, forceful, obstacle-breaking
  • Sweet-flowing (madhu)
  • Luminous, heaven-ascending
  • Sun-like impeller of inner light
  • Ritually enthroned and offered to the gods

Also by this seer

  • Numerous hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 8 associated with the Kāṇvas
  • Soma-Pavamāna compositions and refrains in Rig Veda Mandala 9 transmitted in Kāṇva recensional circles
  • Associated praise tradition for Indra and allied deities in early Vedic ritual contexts

The rite, step by step

  • Soma plant is pressed to express the juice (savana context).
  • Juice is mixed/strengthened per rite and guided to the filter (pavitra).
  • Chanting accompanies the flowing Soma as it ‘runs’ and is purified, envisioned as smashing obstacles and becoming radiant.
  • Purified Soma is collected in vessels and carried to the offering-place (sadhastha).
  • Libations are offered to the gods; remaining Soma is portioned for ritual drinking according to the rite.

Offerings

  • Purified Soma juice (primary)
  • Libations of Soma into the fire or to deity-cups (grahas) depending on ritual setting
  • Associated offerings commonly paired in Soma rites (e.g., ghee, cakes) as prescribed by the broader yajña context

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn praises Soma Pavamāna—Soma juice in the act of purification as it flows through the filter and becomes fit for offering and drinking by the gods.

Rivers show Soma’s rushing, cleansing force that breaks blockages; the Sun image shows Soma’s power to shine, ascend, and drive forward light and life-energy.

It means Soma is aligned with ṛta—truth, right order, and harmony—so the offering supports clarity, balance, and the proper movement of sacred power in the rite.

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