Sukta 175
Sukta 10.175
Late-maṇḍala ritual hymn context (10.175) addressing the soma-pressing implements; r̥ṣi attribution varies by Anukramaṇī, confirm per edition.
Likely Gāyatrī (shorter cadence; verify per edition).
Este breve himno ritual de mandala tardío se dirige a los grāvāṇaḥ, las piedras de prensar el Soma, instándolas a ocupar sus lugares sobre las tablas de prensado y a exprimir el Soma. Se invoca a Savitṛ, el Impulsor divino, para poner los implementos en un movimiento recto y conforme a la ley (dharmaṇā), de modo que el prensado del sacrificante otorgue a los dioses fuerza y embriagadora exaltación, especialmente al «Fuerte» (a menudo Indra).
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र वो ग्रावाणः सविता देवः सुवतु धर्मणा । धूर्षु युज्यध्वं सुनुत ॥
Adelante, oh piedras del prensado: que Savitṛ, el divino Impulsor, os ponga en movimiento según la Ley (dharma). Unceos a los asientos del prensado; exprimid el Soma — destilad el deleite.
Mantra 2
ग्रावाणो अप दुच्छुनामप सेधत दुर्मतिम् । उस्राः कर्तन भेषजम् ॥
Oh piedras del prensado, expulsad lo de mal augurio; apartad el pensamiento torcido. Oh resplandecientes, tallad el remedio — liberad la medicina.
Mantra 3
ग्रावाण उपरेष्वा महीयन्ते सजोषसः । वृष्णे दधतो वृष्ण्यम् ॥
Las piedras del prensado sobre las tablas superiores se hacen poderosas, de común acuerdo; ponen la fuerza viril en el Fuerte — asentando fuerza en fuerza.
Mantra 4
ग्रावाणः सविता नु वो देवः सुवतु धर्मणा । यजमानाय सुन्वते ॥
Oh piedras de prensar, que ahora el dios Savitṛ os impulse conforme a la ley del Dharma — para el sacrificante que prensa, para el que derrama la ofrenda.
Inside Sukta 175
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct injunction to the pressing-stones to move forward, with Savitṛ invoked as the lawful Impeller.
- Development
The hymn shifts from command to description: the stones, placed on the boards, act together and become mighty in coordinated work.
- Climax
Their unified pressing establishes ‘strength within strength’—the virile power offered into the Strong One (often Indra), making the sacrifice efficacious.
- Where it settles
A closing reiteration: Savitṛ is asked again to impel the stones by dharma, specifically for the yajamāna who performs the pressing.
The deity: Grāvāṇaḥ, impelled by Savitṛ
- In the VedaSavitṛ is the devá who ‘impels’ (su-vatu) their lawful action.
- Cosmic functionThey mediate transformation: raw Soma is converted into a consecrated, shareable essence that strengthens divine powers and sustains ṛta/dharma within the sacrifice.
- Inner significanceThe stones symbolize disciplined effort and concentrated pressure that releases hidden delight/energy; Savitṛ signifies the higher impulse that sets right action in motion, aligning will and work with dharma.
The seer
- Anukramaṇī-attribution varies (late-maṇḍala ritual/technical hymn; often treated as anonymous/collective)Associated with practical Soma-pressing liturgy in the late portions of the Rig Veda, focusing on consecrating and animating ritual implements rather than narrating myth.
Famous verses
savitā devaḥ suvatu dharmaṇā
ग्रावाण उपरेष्वा महीयन्ते सजोषसः । वृष्णे दधतो वृष्ण्यम् ॥yajamānāya sunvate
Attributes of the deity
- Ritually ‘yoked’ and coordinated
- Agents of extraction/transformation (pressing Soma)
- Mighty in unison (sajoṣasaḥ)
- Operate ‘by dharma/ṛta’ (dharmaṇā)
- Connected with strengthening the Vṛṣan (often Indra)
Also by this seer
- Comparable late ritual hymns in Mandala 10 addressing implements and liturgical actions (e.g., other Soma-pressing and yajña-technical sūktas in the 10th maṇḍala)
- Tradition sometimes groups such verses with priestly/ritual schools rather than a single personal seer
The rite, step by step
- Arrange the pressing-boards/seats (uparas, dhūḥ) and place the grāvāṇaḥ.
- Invoke Savitṛ to impel the stones ‘by dharma’ and set the rite in right motion.
- Yoke/position the stones upon the pressing-seats and begin the pressing.
- Express the Soma and direct it toward the recipient deity (commonly Indra as Vṛṣan), for the benefit of the yajamāna who presses.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma juice (soma-rasa)
- Associated oblations customary to Soma service (as context requires): clarified butter and accompanying offerings
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn addresses the grāvāṇaḥ—Soma pressing-stones—treating them as sacred agents of the rite, and calls on Savitṛ to set their action in motion.
Savitṛ is the divine Impeller: he represents the power that initiates and guides right action. The hymn asks him to impel the stones ‘by dharma’ so the pressing is effective and orderly.
It fits the Soma-pressing sequence, especially when positioning and beginning to use the stones on the pressing-boards, to sanctify the action and direct its fruit to the gods and the yajamāna.
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