Sukta 95
Sukta 9.95
Soma Pavamāna (Hari)
This short Pavamāna Soma hymn praises the tawny Soma as he is released, purified, and clothed in a radiant “cleansing robe” within the wooden pressing-vessel and filter. The poet depicts inspired thoughts and prayers rushing to Soma like water-waves, and asks the purifying Indu to expand sacred speech and insight. The hymn culminates in a joint aspiration for prosperity with Indra and for mastery of true heroic strength born of Soma’s purification.
Mantras
Mantra 1
कनिक्रन्ति हरिरा सृज्यमानः सीदन्वनस्य जठरे पुनानः । नृभिर्यतः कृणुते निर्णिजं गा अतो मतीर्जनयत स्वधाभिः ॥
The tawny one murmurs as he is released; purifying himself, he settles into the belly of the wooden vessel. Where the men work him, he makes his bright cleansing robe; from that he brings forth inspired thoughts by his own self-law.
Mantra 2
हरिः सृजानः पथ्यामृतस्येयर्ति वाचमरितेव नावम् । देवो देवानां गुह्यानि नामाविष्कृणोति बर्हिषि प्रवाचे ॥
The tawny one, being released, sets in motion the path of Ṛta; he impels the Word as a rower drives a boat. The god makes manifest on the sacred seat the secret names of the gods for the forward utterance.
Mantra 3
अपामिवेदूर्मयस्तर्तुराणाः प्र मनीषा ईरते सोममच्छ । नमस्यन्तीरुप च यन्ति सं चा च विशन्त्युशतीरुशन्तम् ॥
Like waves of waters rushing, the seeking inspirations surge toward Soma. Adoring, they come near, they gather, they enter—desiring him who desires (the offering and the ascent).
Mantra 4
तं मर्मृजानं महिषं न सानावंशुं दुहन्त्युक्षणं गिरिष्ठाम् । तं वावशानं मतयः सचन्ते त्रितो बिभर्ति वरुणं समुद्रे ॥
Him, being polished, like a mighty bull on the height—the shining stalk, the strong one, standing on the mountain—men milk forth. To him, eager, the inspirations attach themselves; Trita bears Varuṇa in the ocean-depth.
Mantra 5
इष्यन्वाचमुपवक्तेव होतुः पुनान इन्दो वि ष्या मनीषाम् । इन्द्रश्च यत्क्षयथः सौभगाय सुवीर्यस्य पतयः स्याम ॥
Desiring the Word, like an assistant-speaker of the Hotar, O purifying Indu, spread out the inspiration. Since you and Indra dwell for our good fortune, may we become masters of a heroic power that is truly strong.
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma in his purified (pavamāna) form during the Soma ritual—how he is released, filtered, becomes radiant, and gives rise to inspired thoughts and sacred speech.
It shows how prayers and insights surge toward Soma with force and devotion, as if the mind’s inspirations naturally flow into the purified Soma current.
Soma is Indra’s empowering drink in Vedic ritual. The hymn asks that Soma and Indra together bring good fortune and grant ‘heroic power’ (strength, victory, capability) to the worshippers.