Rig Veda Sukta 46
Mandala 9Sukta 466 Mantras

Sukta 46

Sukta 9.46

Dieser kurze Pavamāna-Hymnus preist Soma, wie er im Akt der Läuterung hervorbricht, eilend zum Genuss der Götter und dabei leuchtende Kraft gewinnend, während er strömt. Anschaulich werden Pressen und Reinigen geschildert: Man ergreift den hellen Soma mit dem rührenden Stab, mischt ihn mit den „Kühen“ (Strahlen/Milch) und bereitet seine berauschende Potenz besonders für Indra. Der Zweck ist rituell wie symbolisch: das Opfer zu stärken und geläutertes, erhobenes Bewusstsein sichtbar werden zu lassen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.46

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna

    Soma in his flowing, self-purifying form, bright (śukra), cleansed (marjya), rushing (dhāvati), and pressed/strained to become the gods’ drink and Indra’s exhilarating draught.

Mantras

Mantra 1

असृग्रन्देववीतयेऽत्यासः कृत्व्या इव । क्षरन्तः पर्वतावृधः ॥

Sie sind hervorgestürmt zum Genuss der Götter – diese Schnellen –, wie tätige Kräfte, an ihr Werk gesetzt; ausströmend mehren sie die Berge, die festen Höhen des Seins.

Mantra 2

परिष्कृतास इन्दवो योषेव पित्र्यावती । वायुं सोमा असृक्षत ॥

Vollkommen bereitet, die lichten Indu‑Tropfen — wie ein Mädchen, reich an väterlicher, ererbter Kraft — haben sich gelöst und zu Vāyu, dem bewegten Atem, hingeströmt.

Mantra 3

एते सोमास इन्दवः प्रयस्वन्तश्चमू सुताः । इन्द्रं वर्धन्ति कर्मभिः ॥

Diese Somas, diese Indu‑Tropfen, reich an Opfergabe, in die Schale gepresst, mehren Indra durch die Werke.

Mantra 4

आ धावता सुहस्त्यः शुक्रा गृभ्णीत मन्थिना । गोभिः श्रीणीत मत्सरम् ॥

Herbei lauft, o ihr mit geschickten Händen; ergreift den lichten (Soma) mit dem Rührstab; mit den Strahlen‑„Kühen“ (gó) mischt und kräftigt den berauschenden Genuss.

Mantra 5

स पवस्व धनंजय प्रयन्ता राधसो महः । अस्मभ्यं सोम गातुवित् ॥

Ströme gereinigt, o Sieger des Reichtums, der du die großen Gaben des Glücks voranbringst; o Soma, Pfadfinder, für uns.

Mantra 6

एतं मृजन्ति मर्ज्यं पवमानं दश क्षिपः । इन्द्राय मत्सरं मदम् ॥

Diesen, der zu reinigen ist — den Pavamāna, den Selbstläuternden — reinigen zehn schnelle Hände: ein Rausch und eine Trunkenheit für Indra.

Inside Sukta 46

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma’s swift outflow begins—energetic, purposeful, rushing forth for the gods’ enjoyment (RV 9.46.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn turns to the concrete liturgy: skilled hands run, seize the bright Soma, churn and mix him with go- to intensify his delight-giving power (RV 9.46.4).

  3. Climax

    The concentrated image of purification peaks: Soma, fit to be cleansed, is vigorously purified by ‘ten swift hands,’ becoming Indra’s rapture and strength (RV 9.46.6).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn rests in the accomplished transformation—Soma’s cleansing is complete and his intoxicating, empowering essence is ready for divine reception and ritual efficacy.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • Cosmic functionTransforms raw plant-juice into a consecrated, luminous essence that invigorates the gods, sustains ṛta (cosmic order), and empowers Indra for victorious action.
  • Inner significanceThe purification of Soma mirrors the refinement of mind and vital force: impulses are ‘strained’ and clarified into a concentrated joy (matsara/mada) that supports courage, clarity, and inspired speech.

The seer

  • AnirdeśyaThe focus is on the liturgy of purification rather than a personalized seer-signature.

Famous verses

असृग्रन्देववीतयेऽत्यासः कृत्व्या इव । क्षरन्तः पर्वतावृधः ॥
Verse 9.46.1Sets the hymn’s keynote: Soma’s energetic surge and purposeful flow ‘for the gods,’ linking purification with an ascent that ‘increases the mountains’ (firm heights/strength).Read verse 9.46.1 →
आ धावता सुहस्त्यः शुक्रा गृभ्णीत मन्थिना । गोभिः श्रीणीत मत्सरम् ॥
Verse 9.46.4Gives a clear snapshot of pressing-technology and symbolism—skilled hands, churning staff, and the strengthening admixture with go- to build Soma’s matsara (exhilaration).Read verse 9.46.4 →
एतं मृजन्ति मर्ज्यं पवमानं दश क्षिपः । इन्द्राय मत्सरं मदम् ॥
Verse 9.46.6Most explicit purification climax: ‘ten swift hands’ cleanse Pavamāna Soma, defining him as Indra’s intoxicating rapture and thus the sacrifice’s empowering core.Read verse 9.46.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • pavamāna (self-purifying/flowing)
  • śukra (bright, radiant)
  • marjya (fit to be cleansed)
  • indriya-vardhana (strengthening Indra/heroic power)
  • rasa (sap/essence)
  • pavitra-gāmin (moving through the filter)

Also by this seer

  • Associated broadly with the Mandala 9 Pavamāna cycle (Soma purification hymns) used in Soma-pressing liturgy.
  • The diction and imagery align with the Pavitra (filter) and Adhvaryu/pressing operations typical of RV 9 rather than a distinct family style.

The rite, step by step

  • Press the Soma plant to express the juice (savana context).
  • Agitate/churn with the manthana/manthin (churning staff) to release and aerate the juice (RV 9.46.4).
  • Strain through the pavitra (filter) and cleanse repeatedly—‘ten swift hands’ imagery for coordinated priestly action (RV 9.46.6).
  • Mix/fortify with go- (commonly milk; also ‘rays’ as a poetic double sense) to strengthen the matsara (exhilarating potency) (RV 9.46.4).
  • Offer the purified Soma in libation, especially oriented to Indra’s empowerment (RV 9.46.6).

Offerings

  • Purified Soma juice (pavamāna soma)
  • Milk/curd admixture (go-)
  • Libations to Indra and the gods

Frequently Asked Questions

It describes Soma in the act of purification—rushing forth, being churned and strained, and becoming a bright, powerful drink offered to the gods, especially to Indra.

These are ritual images from Soma preparation: priests handle and churn the juice and mix it with milk (and poetically, with ‘rays’ of light) to strengthen its invigorating potency.

He symbolizes inner purification: raw energies and emotions are refined through discipline into a clear, luminous joy that supports strength, clarity, and inspired power.

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