Rig Veda Sukta 41
Mandala 9Sukta 416 Mantras

Sukta 41

Sukta 9.41

Dieser kurze Pavamāna-Hymnus preist Soma in seiner strömenden, geläuterten Gestalt: Wie er durch das Sieb dahinstürzt, wirft er die „schwarze Haut“ der Verhüllung ab und offenbart leuchtende, unermüdliche Kraft. Er bittet Soma, zu den Opfernden mit reichem Nährsegen zu strömen — mit Rindern, goldgleichem Glanz, Rossen und sieghafter Stärke — und sie mit friedenspendendem Schutz zu umkreisen. Der Zweck des Liedes ist sowohl rituell (die Soma-Pressung zu kräftigen) als auch geistig (das Bewusstsein durch den rasa Somās zu klären).

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.41

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna (streams/forces of Soma)

    Soma as “Pavamāna” is the pressed and purified draught flowing in shining streams through the woolen filter, vigorous, bright, and victorious, driving away darkness and bringing delight and strength.

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र ये गावो न भूर्णयस्त्वेषा अयासो अक्रमुः । घ्नन्तः कृष्णामप त्वचम् ॥

Vorwärts stürmen sie wie Rinder in wirbelndem Drang — leuchtende, unermüdliche Kräfte, die ausschreiten und die schwarze Haut, den Schleier der Finsternis, abschlagen.

Mantra 2

सुवितस्य मनामहेऽति सेतुं दुराव्यम् । साह्वांसो दस्युमव्रतम् ॥

Wir richten den Sinn auf den guten Durchgang und gehen über die schwer zu überschreitende Brücke hinaus; als Sieger bezwingen wir den gesetzlosen, unritualischen Dasyu.

Mantra 3

शृण्वे वृष्टेरिव स्वनः पवमानस्य शुष्मिणः । चरन्ति विद्युतो दिवि ॥

Man hört, wie von Regen, den Klang des reinigenden, kraftvollen Soma; seine Blitze ziehen am Himmel.

Mantra 4

आ पवस्व महीमिषं गोमदिन्दो हिरण्यवत् । अश्वावद्वाजवत्सुतः ॥

Ströme zu uns, o Indu, mit großer Nahrung — reich an Kühen der Strahlen, reich an goldenem Glanz, reich an Rossen, reich an Vāja (Kraft und Fülle), du, der für das Werk ausgepresst ist.

Mantra 5

स पवस्व विचर्षण आ मही रोदसी पृण । उषाः सूर्यो न रश्मिभिः ॥

Ströme, o allumfassender Erkenner, und fülle die beiden weiten Welten; wie Uṣas und Sūrya mit ihren Strahlen, so überflute unser ganzes Wesen mit lichtvollen Strömen.

Mantra 6

परि णः शर्मयन्त्या धारया सोम विश्वतः । सरा रसेव विष्टपम् ॥

Umgib uns, o Soma, von allen Seiten mit deinem Strom, der Frieden und Schutz gewährt; ströme durch unsere gefügte Welt wie rasa selbst — reine Essenz, die überallhin sich bewegt.

Inside Sukta 41

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma’s streams surge forward with force and brilliance, like a rushing herd, striking off the “black skin” of concealment.

  2. Development

    The hymn turns from vivid imagery of purification to direct petitions: Soma is asked to flow toward the sacrificers with vast nourishment and manifold wealth-powers (cows, gold, horses, vāja).

  3. Climax

    The prayer peaks in the vision of Soma as universal protector—encircling the worshippers on every side with a peace-bringing stream.

  4. Where it settles

    It settles into the sense of Soma pervading the ordered world like pure essence (rasa), sustaining stable well-being and shelter.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • Cosmic functionHe is the purifier and energizer: a life-giving current that renews vitality, supports the gods in their functions, and establishes prosperity and protection for the sacrificer.
  • Inner significanceSoma symbolizes the clarified essence (rasa) of consciousness—when purified, it removes inner obscurity, awakens luminous perception, and stabilizes the mind in peace and shelter.

The seer

  • AnuktaThis hymn is transmitted without a clearly named seer; such anukta attributions are common in Mandala 9, where the focus rests on Soma’s liturgical flow rather than a single poet’s persona.

Famous verses

ghnantaḥ kṛṣṇām apa tvacam
Verse 9.41.1Sets the keynote image of Pavamāna: energetic streams surging forward and removing the ‘black skin’—a classic metaphor for purification and the dispelling of obscurity.Read verse 9.41.1 →
ā pavasva mahīm iṣam
Verse 9.41.4Central petition for abundance and power: Soma is invoked to bring ‘great nourishment’ endowed with cattle, gold-like radiance, horses, and vāja (victorious might).Read verse 9.41.4 →
pari ṇaḥ śarmayantyā dhārayā
Verse 9.41.6Concluding protective prayer: Soma is asked to encircle the people with a sheltering stream and to pervade their world like rasa—pure essence everywhere.Read verse 9.41.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • purifying stream (pavamāna)
  • radiant/bright (tveṣa, hiraṇyavat)
  • tireless energy (ayāsa)
  • remover of darkness/covering (kṛṣṇā tvac)
  • giver of nourishment and wealth (iṣ, gomad)
  • protector who encircles with peace (śarma)

Also by this seer

  • Associated broadly with the Pavamāna Soma corpus of Mandala 9 (hymns used during soma purification and offering).

The rite, step by step

  • Press the soma plant and collect the expressed juice (suta).
  • Strain/purify it through the filter (pavitra), allowing the streams to “flow” as the hymn is recited.
  • Mix/prepare the soma with appropriate adjuncts according to rite (commonly with water; milk is typical in many soma contexts).
  • Offer libations to the gods (especially Indra and the Soma-deities) while invoking Soma’s protective, nourishing flow.
  • Conclude with petitions for peace, shelter, strength, and settled well-being for the community.

Offerings

  • Purified soma juice (pavamāna)
  • Libations into the fire/offerings in the soma rite
  • Common soma adjuncts (water; often milk/curds in broader practice)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma as he flows in purified streams, drives away darkness, and brings nourishment, wealth, strength, and protective peace to the worshippers.

It is a metaphor for purification: as Soma is strained, he casts off impurity; spiritually, it points to removing inner ignorance and obscurity.

It is suited to recitation during soma pressing and straining, when the juice is purified and offered, while praying for prosperity and shelter for the community.

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