
Sukta 1.187
A mighty upholder of dharma (likely Indra or a related heroic power; identification requires full hymn context beyond 1.187.1)
Gayatri/Anuṣṭubh uncertain (meter requires syllable verification; short verse suggests non-Trishtubh)
This hymn praises Soma as the sacred “Drink” (pitu) that establishes divine resolve, strengthens the gods, and empowers the victory over obstruction symbolized by Vṛtra/Ahi. It blends Soma’s ritual identity (pressed, offered, shared in sadhamāda) with a cosmic role: restoring right order (dharma) and releasing power and light for gods and worshippers alike.
Mantra 1
पितुं नु स्तोषं महो धर्माणं तविषीम् । यस्य त्रितो व्योजसा वृत्रं विपर्वमर्दयत् ॥
Now I will praise the mighty one, the upholder of the great law, the force of puissance—he by whose wide strength Trita crushed Vṛtra, joint by joint.
Mantra 2
स्वादो पितो मधो पितो वयं त्वा ववृमहे । अस्माकमविता भव ॥
O Sweet One, O Drink; O Honeyed One, O Drink—towards you we turn and choose you. Become the protector and upholder of our inner being.
Mantra 3
उप नः पितवा चर शिवः शिवाभिरूतिभिः । मयोभुरद्विषेण्यः सखा सुशेवो अद्वयाः ॥
Come near us, O Drink, moving with auspiciousness and with auspicious helps. A bringer of bliss, beyond hatred, a comrade of the journey—kindly, without duplicity—draw close.
Mantra 4
तव त्ये पितो रसा रजांस्यनु विष्ठिताः । दिवि वाता इव श्रिताः ॥
Yours, O Drink, are those sap-like essences spread out through the regions; established in heaven, like winds, they pervade and uphold.
Mantra 5
तव त्ये पितो ददतस्तव स्वादिष्ठ ते पितो । प्र स्वाद्मानो रसानां तुविग्रीवा इवेरते ॥
Yours, O Drink, are those givers; yours, O most sweet, O Drink. The sweetnesses of the essences surge forward, like strong-necked ones, pressing on with force.
Mantra 6
त्वे पितो महानां देवानां मनो हितम् । अकारि चारु केतुना तवाहिमवसावधीत् ॥
In you, O Drink, the mind of the great gods is set in its right place. With a beautiful light-sign it is made manifest; by your help the serpent of obstruction is struck down.
Mantra 7
यददो पितो अजगन्विवस्व पर्वतानाम् । अत्रा चिन्नो मधो पितोऽरं भक्षाय गम्याः ॥
When there, O Drink, you went forth—shining—through the mountains, then even here, O Honeyed Drink, you are to be reached for our enjoyment and assimilation.
Mantra 8
यदपामोषधीनां परिंशमारिशामहे । वातापे पीव इद्भव ॥
When we blend the portion of the waters and the plants, then, O Warm-to-the-wind, be indeed rich and nourishing within us.
Mantra 9
यत्ते सोम गवाशिरो यवाशिरो भजामहे । वातापे पीव इद्भव ॥
When, O Soma, we partake of your mixture with cow-strength and with barley-strength, then, O Wind-warmed One, be indeed abundant and nourishing.
Mantra 10
करम्भ ओषधे भव पीवो वृक्क उदारथिः । वातापे पीव इद्भव ॥
Become the karambha, O Herb—be rich, strengthening, wide-in-support. O Wind-warmed One, be indeed abundant and nourishing.
Mantra 11
तं त्वा वयं पितो वचोभिर्गावो न हव्या सुषूदिम । देवेभ्यस्त्वा सधमादमस्मभ्यं त्वा सधमादम् ॥
You—O Drink—we press and set aflame by our words, as cows (rays of light) press toward the offering. For the gods we prepare you for the shared joy; for us too we prepare you for the shared joy.
The hymn primarily addresses Soma, called “pitu” (the Drink). Soma is praised as a power that supports dharma/ṛta and helps defeat obstruction symbolized by Vṛtra or Ahi.
In Vedic thought Soma empowers the gods—especially the heroic force that overcomes blockage. So the Vṛtra/Ahi motif shows Soma’s role in turning sacred offering into victorious strength and release.
Offer and cultivate Soma-like clarity: a purified, luminous energy that steadies the mind, strengthens resolve, and helps remove inner and outer obstacles, concluding in shared well-being (sadhamāda).