Sukta 11
Sukta 9.11
Soma Pavamāna (Indu)
This Pavamāna Soma hymn calls the purified Indu to be sung to as he streams through the filters, hastening toward the gods and making divine powers accessible. It praises the sweetness and energizing force of Soma and petitions him for wealth, heroic vigor, and victorious companionship—especially in union with Indra.
Mantras
Mantra 1
उपास्मै गायता नरः पवमानायेन्दवे । अभि देवाँ इयक्षते ॥
Sing near to him, O human strengths, to Indu the Purifier; pressing forward, he moves to the Gods and brings the divine powers within reach.
Mantra 2
अभि ते मधुना पयोऽथर्वाणो अशिश्रयुः । देवं देवाय देवयु ॥
The Atharvans have leaned to you with honeyed milk; the divine is borne toward the Divine—one who longs for the gods.
Mantra 3
स नः पवस्व शं गवे शं जनाय शमर्वते । शं राजन्नोषधीभ्यः ॥
Purify yourself for us as peace and right well-being—for the Cow (illumined light), for the people (the embodied being), for the steed (the life-force); and as peace, O King, for the plants (the growing powers within).
Mantra 4
बभ्रवे नु स्वतवसेऽरुणाय दिविस्पृशे । सोमाय गाथमर्चत ॥
Now chant a hymn to Soma—brown-golden, self-mighty, ruddy with dawn-like force, touching the heaven: the ascending delight that reaches the higher mind.
Mantra 5
हस्तच्युतेभिरद्रिभिः सुतं सोमं पुनीतन । मधावा धावता मधु ॥
Purify the pressed Soma with the stones that slip in the hands; run with sweetness into the honeyed state—become delight in its own delight.
Mantra 6
नमसेदुप सीदत दध्नेदभि श्रीणीतन । इन्दुमिन्द्रे दधातन ॥
Sit down near with reverence; with curd blend and enrich it. Place the bright drop, Indu, in Indra—the force of awakened power.
Mantra 7
अमित्रहा विचर्षणिः पवस्व सोम शं गवे । देवेभ्यो अनुकामकृत् ॥
O Soma, slayer of the hostile forces, wide in thy luminous vision, flow forth in thy purification for the peace and right increase of the inner ‘Cow’—the ray of knowledge; becoming one who fulfils the gods’ true intentions within us.
Mantra 8
इन्द्राय सोम पातवे मदाय परि षिच्यसे । मनश्चिन्मनसस्पतिः ॥
O Soma, thou art poured and made to flow all around for Indra to drink, for the ecstasy that uplifts; thou art the lord of mind, and even the mind is governed by thee.
Mantra 9
पवमान सुवीर्यं रयिं सोम रिरीहि नः । इन्दविन्द्रेण नो युजा ॥
O purifying Soma, bring to us the plenitude of heroic force and the fullness of being; O luminous drop, yoked with Indra, become our companion in the conquest.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn addresses Soma as Pavamāna—Indu, the purified Soma-juice flowing through the strainer—often invoked as a power that strengthens the gods and blesses the worshiper.
“Pavamāna” means “purifying” or “being purified.” It refers to Soma as he is clarified in the ritual, symbolizing a refined, luminous power that becomes fit for offering.
Indra is Soma’s chief beneficiary and ally in many Vedic hymns. This sukta asks Soma, yoked with Indra, to bring strength, wealth, and victory—linking ritual offering to heroic power.