Sukta 22
Sukta 9.22
Uncertain/Traditional: Soma Pavamāna seers (not determinable from provided verse alone)
Soma Pavamāna
Not determinable with certainty from provided verse alone
This Soma Pavamāna hymn celebrates the pressed Soma as swift, thundering streams that surge like chariots, bringing vigor, plenty, and inspired vision to the sacrificer. It emphasizes Soma’s purification and clarifying power—moving through the filter, becoming “clear-seeing,” and awakening dhī (inspired thought). Soma is also praised as a recoverer of hidden wealth from the Paṇis and as one who makes firm the “stretched thread,” symbolizing continuity of rite and realization.
Mantras
Mantra 1
एते सोमास आशवो रथा इव प्र वाजिनः । सर्गाः सृष्टा अहेषत ॥
These swift Soma-powers, like chariots, surge forward—bearers of plenitude-force; released as streams, they thunder in their outpouring.
Mantra 2
एते वाता इवोरवः पर्जन्यस्येव वृष्टयः । अग्नेरिव भ्रमा वृथा ॥
These move like winds in their wide cry; like Parjanya’s rains they pour; like Agni’s whirling flames they circle—scattering the inertia and breaking open the closedness.
Mantra 3
एते पूता विपश्चितः सोमासो दध्याशिरः । विपा व्यानशुर्धियः ॥
These purified Soma-powers, clear-seeing, blended with curd, have widely attained the inspired thoughts; they move as seer-forces, opening the intelligence in many directions.
Mantra 5
एते पृष्ठानि रोदसोर्विप्रयन्तो व्यानशुः । उतेदमुत्तमं रजः ॥
These, moving as inspired seers, have widely reached the heights of the two worlds; and they have reached this supreme luminous realm—the highest expanse.
Mantra 7
त्वं सोम पणिभ्य आ वसु गव्यानि धारयः । ततं तन्तुमचिक्रदः ॥
You, O Soma, bring the wealth of the luminous rays (gavyāni) back from the Paṇis; you hold it secure. You have made firm the stretched thread—the continuity of the work and the path of realization.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn praises Soma Pavamāna—Soma as he is pressed, flows, and becomes purified through the filter, bringing strength and clarity.
It refers to the ritual filtering of Soma juice, and also to the idea that Soma clarifies the mind—spreading inspired thought (dhī) and clear seeing.
The Paṇis symbolize hoarding or obstruction; Soma is praised for retrieving hidden wealth (including ‘gavyāni,’ luminous riches). The “stretched thread” points to firm continuity—of the rite, of right order, and of steady inner progress.