Sukta 26
Sukta 9.26
Soma Pavamāna (with Aditi as supporting cosmic principle)
This short Pavamāna Soma hymn praises the sacred drink as it is purified and set in motion through inspired seer-vision, described as being cleansed “on the lap of Aditi,” the boundless cosmic order. Soma is driven forward clothed in solar radiance (Vivasvat) and acclaimed as the unfailing lord of Vāc (sacred speech), ultimately being impelled into the exhilaration meant for Indra. The hymn’s purpose is both ritual—sanctifying the pressing and straining of Soma—and contemplative, linking purification with truth, speech, and cosmic wholeness.
Mantras
Mantra 1
तममृक्षन्त वाजिनमुपस्थे अदितेरधि । विप्रासो अण्व्या धिया ॥
Him, the bringer of plenitude of force, the seers have cleansed upon the lap of Aditi, with the subtle discerning thought.
Mantra 2
तं गावो अभ्यनूषत सहस्रधारमक्षितम् । इन्दुं धर्तारमा दिवः ॥
To him the luminous cows have lowed in assent—him of a thousand streams, unfailing—Indu, the upholder who comes from the heaven of consciousness.
Mantra 4
तमह्यन्भुरिजोर्धिया संवसानं विवस्वतः । पतिं वाचो अदाभ्यम् ॥
Him they drove onward with abundant vision—clothed in the radiance of Vivasvat—him, the infallible lord of the Word.
Mantra 5
तं सानावधि जामयो हरिं हिन्वन्त्यद्रिभिः । हर्यतं भूरिचक्षसम् ॥
Him on the summit the sisters urge on with the pressing-stones—the tawny one, desirable, of wide and manifold vision.
Mantra 6
तं त्वा हिन्वन्ति वेधसः पवमान गिरावृधम् । इन्दविन्द्राय मत्सरम् ॥
The wise workers impel thee, O Pavamāna, grown great by the hymns—O Indu—into the rapture that is for Indra.
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma in his “Pavamāna” form—Soma being purified as he flows through the filter—so he becomes radiant, truthful, and fit to empower the gods, especially Indra.
Aditi represents the boundless, unbroken cosmic order; saying Soma is cleansed on Aditi’s “lap” suggests the purification happens within Ṛta and supports wholeness and protection.
It means purified Soma is connected with sacred speech—clarity, truth, and effective mantra—so the ritual word becomes potent and unfailing.