Sukta 59
Sukta 9.59
Dieser kurze Pavamāna-Soma-Hymnus ruft Soma an, während er durch das Sieb gereinigt wird, und preist ihn als allbezwingende Macht, die dem Opfernden Lebenskraft, Fülle und Freude erringt. Er bittet Soma, einen nachkommenschaftsreichen Schatz zu bringen, dem Verehrer über alle Bedrängnisse hinwegzuhelfen und seine inspirierte, dichterische Einsicht im Ritus und auf dem inneren Altar des Bewusstseins zu verankern.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
पवस्व गोजिदश्वजिद्विश्वजित्सोम रण्यजित् । प्रजावद्रत्नमा भर ॥
Reinige dich, o Soma — Sieger der Strahlen (Kühe), Sieger der Lebenskraft (Pferde), Sieger des Alls; Sieger der Wonne: bring uns den Schatz, reich an Nachkommenschaft (schöpferischer Mehrung).
Mantra 2
पवस्वाद्भ्यो अदाभ्यः पवस्वौषधीभ्यः । पवस्व धिषणाभ्यः ॥
Läutere dich aus den unbezwinglichen Wassern; läutere dich aus den Pflanzen. Läutere dich aus den Dhīṣaṇās, den inspirierenden Kräften des Denkens.
Mantra 3
त्वं सोम पवमानो विश्वानि दुरिता तर । कविः सीद नि बर्हिषि ॥
Du, o Soma, der du dich läuterst, schreitest über alle Not und alle schweren Übergänge hinaus; als Kavi, als Seher, setze dich auf das Barhis, den heiligen Sitz.
Mantra 4
पवमान स्वर्विदो जायमानोऽभवो महान् । इन्दो विश्वाँ अभीदसि ॥
O Pavamāna, Finder des Svar, der Sonnenwelt: geboren bist du groß geworden. O Indu, von allen Seiten drängst du auf alle und bezwingst sie.
Inside Sukta 59
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma is urged to purify himself and is hailed as the winner of every gain—cattle, horses, and total victory—asked to bring a progeny-rich treasure (9.59.1).
- Development
The hymn turns from outer gains to inner passage: purified Soma helps one cross all difficulties and is invoked as ‘kavi’ to take his seat on the barhis, the sacred seat/inner altar (9.59.3).
- Climax
Soma is proclaimed ‘svar-vid’—finder of the luminous world—becoming vast upon birth and mastering all forces (9.59.4).
- Where it settles
The praise consolidates Soma’s dual role: outer prosperity and inner illumination, sealing the rite with the sense of victorious, purified power established in the sacrificer’s domain.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between human offering and divine nourishment—quickening the gods, empowering Indra-like victory, and opening the way to svaḥ (the luminous world).
- Inner significanceThe purified Soma signifies clarified consciousness and inspired speech: the inner ‘kavi’ that helps one cross distress (duritā) and establishes luminous awareness (svar-vid).
Famous verses
prajāvad ratnam ā bhara
viśvāni duritā tara
pavamāna svar vido
Attributes of the deity
- Purifying/cleansing (pavamāna)
- Victorious giver of gains (gojit, aśvajit, viśvajit)
- Bestower of progeny and treasure (prajāvat ratna)
- Seer-like inspiration (kavi)
- Finder of the luminous world (svar-vid)
- Vast, all-mastering force (mahān, viśvān abhīd)
Also by this seer
- Attribution uncertain; the hymn is part of the Pavamāna collection used in Soma-pressing liturgies rather than a securely personal rishi corpus.
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks and mix with water (preparation of the juice).
- Filter/purify through the strainer (pavitra), accompanied by Pavamāna recitation.
- Collect the clarified Soma in vessels; invoke Soma’s victorious, wealth-bringing power.
- Offer libations to the gods (especially Indra and associated deities) and distribute ritual portions as prescribed.
- Conclude with prayers for protection, prosperity, and inner steadfastness (crossing ‘duritā’).
Offerings
- Filtered Soma juice (main oblation)
- Water used in pressing/purification
- Optional accompanying offerings per śrauta setting (e.g., ghee in related fire offerings)
Frequently Asked Questions
The deity is Soma Pavamāna—Soma as the pressed juice being purified through the filter, praised as a shining, victorious power.
It asks Soma to bring a ‘treasure rich in progeny’ (prajāvat ratna)—prosperity that supports growth, creativity, and continuity of life.
Beyond ritual protection, it suggests purified consciousness helping a person pass through inner difficulties—confusion, fear, and obstacles—toward clarity and luminous awareness (svaḥ).
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