Sukta 56
Sukta 9.56
Dieser kurze Pavamāna-Hymnus preist Soma, wie er durch das Filter (pavitra) dahinstürmt, sich der weiten kosmischen Ordnung (ṛtam bṛhat) angleicht und hemmende Mächte (rakṣas/vighna) zerschmettert. Er zeichnet auch das klassische Bild: Soma wird von den „zehn Jungfrauen“ (den Fingern/Strömen der Bereitung) gereinigt, damit er süß werde und Indra und Viṣṇu würdig sei. Der Hymnus endet mit einem Schutzgebet: Möge der geläuterte Soma die Sänger vor Sünde und Not bewahren.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
परि सोम ऋतं बृहदाशुः पवित्रे अर्षति । विघ्नन्रक्षांसि देवयुः ॥
Um das weite ṛta (Wahrheit-Ordnung) strömt der schnelle Soma durch das Sieb des Läuterers, die Mächte der Hemmung zerschlagend; denn er ist der Gottsucher.
Mantra 2
यत्सोमो वाजमर्षति शतं धारा अपस्युवः । इन्द्रस्य सख्यमाविशन् ॥
Wenn Soma zur vāja, zur Fülle der Kraft, dahinströmt, treten seine hundert wirkenden Ströme in Indras Freundschaft ein.
Mantra 3
अभि त्वा योषणो दश जारं न कन्यानूषत । मृज्यसे सोम सातये ॥
Zu dir drängen zehn Jungfrauen der Wonne wie zu einem Geliebten; du wirst gereinigt, o Soma, zum Gewinn der wahren Beute.
Mantra 4
त्वमिन्द्राय विष्णवे स्वादुरिन्दो परि स्रव । नॄन्त्स्तोतॄन्पाह्यंहसः ॥
Ströme ringsum, o Indu, süß für Indra und für Viṣṇu; behüte unsere Männer, die Sänger, vor Not und Sünde.
Inside Sukta 56
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma’s swift movement through the purifier around the ‘vast Truth’ (ṛtam bṛhat), immediately framed as a force that breaks obstruction and banishes hostile powers.
- Development
The hymn intensifies the purification imagery: Soma is actively cleansed and drawn forward, with the feminine/maiden motif expressing intimate, energetic participation in the rite.
- Climax
The ‘ten maidens’ press toward Soma like lovers—an iconic Pavamāna moment where purification becomes both ecstatic and efficacious, aimed at ‘winning the true gain’ (sātaye).
- Where it settles
Soma is declared sweet and fit for Indra and Viṣṇu, and the hymn resolves as a direct prayer for protection of the human singers from aṃhas (harm/sin).
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between human rite and divine power: through purification and offering he strengthens Indra and supports the cosmic order (ṛta), while repelling forces of disorder and harm.
- Inner significanceThe cleansing of Soma symbolizes the refinement of consciousness—purifying desire and vitality into a clear, truth-bearing inspiration that protects and empowers the practitioner.
The seer
- Anukramaṇī-attributed: unknown (as given in prompt)The hymn belongs to the Soma Pavamāna corpus (Maṇḍala 9), where seers focus less on personal identity and more on the liturgical-poetic vision of Soma’s purification and empowerment for the gods.
Famous verses
ṛtam bṛhat
yoṣaṇo daśa
pāhy aṃhasaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- pavamāna (self-purifying/being purified)
- swift-flowing (āśu)
- truth-aligned (ṛtam bṛhat)
- sweet (svādu)
- obstruction-breaking (vighnan)
- protector of singers (pāhi stotṝn)
Also by this seer
- General association with the Pavamāna (purifying Soma) hymns of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 9.
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks to express the juice (savana).
- Mix/prepare with water (and customary adjuncts per rite) and lead it to the strainer.
- Strain through the pavitra (wool/cloth filter) into collecting vessels, repeatedly clarifying the flow.
- Offer clarified Soma in libations to the deities—here especially Indra and Viṣṇu—while reciting Pavamāna verses.
- Conclude with a protective intention for the sacrificers and singers against aṃhas (sin/distress) and hostile forces.
Offerings
- Purified Soma libations
- Water used in preparation/clarification (ritual medium)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma as he is purified through the ritual filter, becomes aligned with cosmic truth (ṛta), destroys obstructive forces, and then protects the worshippers.
They are a poetic image for the agents of purification—often understood as the ten fingers involved in pressing/straining, or the flowing streams that cleanse and guide Soma.
Because purified Soma is offered to empower the gods; the verse asks Soma to be sweet for Indra and Viṣṇu and to protect the singers from aṃhas (harm, distress, or moral fault).
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