Sukta 25
Sukta 9.25
Soma Pavamāna (addressed), with recipients Devās, Maruts, Vāyu
This short Pavamāna Soma hymn invokes Soma to purify himself through the filter (pavitra) and become the exhilarating drink for the Gods, especially the Maruts and Vāyu. As he is strained, Soma is praised as the accomplisher of inspired discernment (dakṣa) who pervades “all forms” and moves toward the realm where the deathless ones abide. The hymn’s purpose is both ritual—consecrating the pressed Soma for offering—and mystical—describing Soma’s ascent into the luminous womb of sacred song (arka).
Mantras
Mantra 1
पवस्व दक्षसाधनो देवेभ्यः पीतये हरे । मरुद्भ्यो वायवे मदः ॥
Purify thyself, O Soma, accomplisher of the discerning power; for the Gods to drink, O tawny one. Be thou the ecstasy for the Maruts and for Vāyu—the life-breath in its vast movement.
Mantra 2
पवमान धिया हितोऽभि योनिं कनिक्रदत् । धर्मणा वायुमा विश ॥
O Purifying One, placed by the thought, crying out towards the womb, enter by the law of thy being into Vāyu—the vast Life-force—so the breath may take its right rhythm.
Mantra 3
सं देवैः शोभते वृषा कविर्योनावधि प्रियः । वृत्रहा देववीतमः ॥
He shines with the Gods, the strong Bull; the Seer, beloved, set upon the womb. A slayer of the Coverer, most desired in the gods’ delight—he makes the victory of Light secure.
Mantra 4
विश्वा रूपाण्याविशन्पुनानो याति हर्यतः । यत्रामृतास आसते ॥
Purifying himself, he enters into all forms and moves in the beloved delight, to that region where the deathless powers take their seat.
Mantra 5
अरुषो जनयन्गिरः सोमः पवत आयुषक् । इन्द्रं गच्छन्कविक्रतुः ॥
The ruddy-golden Soma flows, bringing forth the inspired utterances; life-giving, he goes to Indra, he whose will is that of the seer.
Mantra 6
आ पवस्व मदिन्तम पवित्रं धारया कवे । अर्कस्य योनिमासदम् ॥
Flow hither, most intoxicating, O seer; uphold the purifying filter-stream, and take thy seat in the womb of the Flame of inspired light.
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma as he is purified through the ritual filter and offered as the divine drink, especially energizing Vāyu and the Maruts.
“Pavamāna” means “the purifying/flowing one,” referring to Soma running clean through the strainer (pavitra) during the Soma sacrifice.
It suggests that the purified Soma pervades every level of existence and then moves toward the immortal realm where the deathless powers (amṛtas) dwell, symbolizing an ascent of purified consciousness.