Sukta 48
Sukta 9.48
Soma (Pavamāna)
This short Pavamāna hymn praises Soma as he is purified and set in the sacred seats, bearing heroic powers and beauty that support successful, “well-done” ritual work. Soma is addressed as kingly and heaven-born, bringing wealth and strength, and—when impelled—growing into the greater “Indra-force,” granting desired aid and expansive might.
Mantras
Mantra 1
तं त्वा नृम्णानि बिभ्रतं सधस्थेषु महो दिवः । चारुं सुकृत्ययेमहे ॥
Thee we seek—bearing heroic powers in the common seats of the great heaven—beautiful, for our right-doing and perfected work.
Mantra 2
संवृक्तधृष्णुमुक्थ्यं महामहिव्रतं मदम् । शतं पुरो रुरुक्षणिम् ॥
Purified and bold, worthy of the hymn, the ecstasy of vast and mighty law—guarding a hundred fronts of the being against assault.
Mantra 3
अतस्त्वा रयिमभि राजानं सुक्रतो दिवः । सुपर्णो अव्यथिर्भरत् ॥
Therefore the Bird of fair wing, untroubled, bears to thee—O king—abundance from heaven, O strong in right intelligence.
Mantra 4
विश्वस्मा इत्स्वर्दृशे साधारणं रजस्तुरम् । गोपामृतस्य विर्भरत् ॥
To every seer of the light he brings the common treasure—swift across the mid-worlds—bringing the guardian of the Truth (ṛta).
Mantra 5
अधा हिन्वान इन्द्रियं ज्यायो महित्वमानशे । अभिष्टिकृद्विचर्षणिः ॥
Then, being urged onward, he attains the greater Indra-force and reaches vast greatness—he who wins the desired help, the wide-ranging power.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn praises Soma in his Pavamāna form—Soma as the pressed juice that is purified and made to flow clear during the sacrifice.
It portrays a divine, unhindered carrier bringing abundance from heaven—an image for Soma’s heavenly support and the swift arrival of prosperity through the rite.
It asks for successful performance of sacred work (sukṛti), wealth and abundance from heaven, and strengthened power (indriya) that grants the desired help and protection.