Sukta 34
Sukta 9.34
Dieser kurze Pavamāna-Hymnus preist Soma, wie er gepresst, gereinigt und in stetigem Strom zum Fließen gebracht wird, wobei er durch angeborene Kraft Widerstände durchbricht. Er verbindet den äußeren Ritus der Filtration mit innerer Inspiration: Soma wird zum Reiniger (mārjya) und zum Erwecker von Indras heldischer Ekstase, während die Hymnen selbst zu ihm strömen wie das Brüllen einer Milchkuh.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र सुवानो धारया तनेन्दुर्हिन्वानो अर्षति । रुजद्दृळ्हा व्योजसा ॥
Ausgepresst strömt Indu (Soma) in ununterbrochenem Strom; vorwärts getrieben fließt er dahin — mit seiner Kraft zerbricht er die harten Widerstände.
Mantra 2
सुत इन्द्राय वायवे वरुणाय मरुद्भ्यः । सोमो अर्षति विष्णवे ॥
Ausgepresst strömt Soma zu Indra, zu Vāyu, zu Varuṇa, zu den Maruts; zu Viṣṇu eilt Soma hin.
Mantra 3
वृषाणं वृषभिर्यतं सुन्वन्ति सोममद्रिभिः । दुहन्ति शक्मना पयः ॥
Den Starken, von Starken angetrieben, pressen sie Soma mit den Steinen; kundig melken sie die nährende Milch (páyas) aus.
Mantra 4
भुवत्त्रितस्य मर्ज्यो भुवदिन्द्राय मत्सरः । सं रूपैरज्यते हरिः ॥
Er wird Tṛtas Reiniger; er wird für Indra der berauschende Antrieb. Der Falbe (Hari) wird gesalbt, mit Gestalten zusammengefügt.
Mantra 5
अभीमृतस्य विष्टपं दुहते पृश्निमातरः । चारु प्रियतमं हविः ॥
Zu ihm, zum weiten Sitz des Ṛta, melken die Mütter des Gesprenkelten die schöne, allerliebste Opfergabe (havis) aus.
Mantra 6
समेनमह्रुता इमा गिरो अर्षन्ति सस्रुतः । धेनूर्वाश्रो अवीवशत् ॥
In einem einzigen Zug, unaufhörlich, strömen diese Worte dahin; die milchgebenden Kühe der Eingebung brüllen.
Inside Sukta 34
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma is pressed forth and begins to stream in an unbroken current, propelled onward with inherent force.
- Development
His rushing purification is described as a power that breaks rigid resistances; the rite is framed as both cleansing and empowerment.
- Climax
Soma becomes Trita’s purifier and Indra’s exhilaration—taking on ‘forms’ for divine work and inner energizing.
- Where it settles
The hymn ends by identifying the ceaseless flow of hymns themselves toward Soma, like a lowing milk-cow of inspiration that awakens hearing and receptivity.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaHe is portrayed as forceful, rushing, and world-clearing—able to shatter what is rigid and obstructive.
- Cosmic functionMediator of vitality between heaven and earth: the sacrificial essence that strengthens Indra and the gods, renews cosmic order through purification, and carries offerings and praise into effective power.
- Inner significanceThe clarified current of consciousness: purification of mind and speech, a surge of courage and clarity that breaks inner inertia, and the awakening of inspired utterance (Vāc-like flow) from within.
The seer
- Anonymous (traditionally: Pavamāna Soma hymnist)Voicing the Soma-pressing and purification mystique where the physical flow of Soma mirrors the flow of inspired speech (giraḥ) and awakened power (ojas).
Famous verses
प्र सुवानो धारया तनेन्दुर्हिन्वानो अर्षति । रुजद्दृळ्हा व्योजसा ॥भुवत्त्रितस्य मर्ज्यो भुवदिन्द्राय मत्सरः । सं रूपैरज्यते हरिः ॥समेनमह्रुता इमा गिरो अर्षन्ति सस्रुतः । धेनूर्वाश्रो अवीवशत् ॥Attributes of the deity
- Purified (pavamāna)
- Flowing in a continuous stream (dhārā)
- Forceful, obstacle-breaking (ojas; rujad dṛḻhā)
- Invigorator of Indra (matsara)
- Purifier/cleanser (mārjya)
- Tawny/golden (hari)
- Source and attractor of inspired speech (giraḥ)
Also by this seer
- Associated broadly with Mandala 9 (Soma Pavamāna corpus), where multiple hymns are attributed to diverse seer-families; this particular sukta is transmitted without a stable rishi-name in some listings.
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma-stalks and express the juice (savana).
- Let Soma run in a continuous stream through the wool/grass filter (pavitra), symbolically ‘purifying’ it.
- Collect the clarified Soma; ‘anoint’/prepare it for offering (ajyate) and mix as required by the rite.
- Offer Soma portions to the deities—prominently Indra—seeking strength, victory, and removal of obstacles.
- Recite/chant praise as the parallel ‘stream’ of speech, aligning inner intention with the purified flow.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma juice (Indu)
- Libations to Indra and associated deities
- Accompanying oblations as prescribed in Soma rites (e.g., ghee in adjacent fire offerings, depending on the śrauta context)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma as he is pressed and purified, flowing in a steady stream. The hymn highlights Soma’s power to remove obstacles and to energize the gods—especially Indra.
Indra is mentioned because purified Soma is the classic source of Indra’s exhilaration and strength. Trita appears as a figure connected with Soma’s cleansing power, emphasizing purification as a sacred function.
It suggests that prayer and inspired speech also ‘stream’ toward Soma, just like the purified juice. In simple terms: when Soma is purified, the mind and voice become clearer and more inspired.
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