Rig Veda Sukta 16
Mandala 9Sukta 168 Mantras

Sukta 16

Sukta 9.16

Devata

Soma Pavamāna

Este himno al Soma Pavamāna celebra el Soma exprimido, que irrumpe veloz desde las piedras y corre a través del filtro de lana, convirtiéndose en una esencia radiante, embriagadora (inspiradora), apta para los dioses. El movimiento rápido y fluyente del Soma se vincula con el despertar del poder interior —en especial la fuerza de Indra— y con el aguzamiento de la intuición y de la fuerza vital en el adorador.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.16

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र ते सोतार ओण्यो रसं मदाय घृष्वये । सर्गो न तक्त्येतशः ॥

Hacia ti, oh Soma, los prensadores hacen brotar la esencia — para el éxtasis y para el ardor resplandeciente; como un torrente soltado se lanza, como un corcel veloz en su carrera.

Mantra 2

क्रत्वा दक्षस्य रथ्यमपो वसानमन्धसा । गोषामण्वेषु सश्चिम ॥

Por la voluntad y el poder del discernimiento se vuelve la senda del carro de la destreza eficaz; vestido de las aguas con su jugo de prensado, avanza por huellas sutiles, buscando los rebaños luminosos del conocimiento.

Mantra 3

अनप्तमप्सु दुष्टरं सोमं पवित्र आ सृज । पुनीहीन्द्राय पातवे ॥

Suelta en el filtro al Soma, desatado en las aguas y difícil de atravesar; purifícalo para que Indra lo beba, para que el señor de la fuerza luminosa reciba el deleite clarificado.

Mantra 4

प्र पुनानस्य चेतसा सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । क्रत्वा सधस्थमासदत् ॥

Hacia delante se precipita Soma, purificado por la conciencia despierta; a través del filtro (pavitra) fluye. Por krátu, el poder de la voluntad recta, llega al asiento común y allí toma su lugar.

Mantra 5

प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥

Hacia ti, oh Indra, con reverencias, oh Soma, se sueltan las corrientes; los hacedores (en nosotros) las envían para un gran llevar: un amplio traslado de fuerza y cumplimiento.

Mantra 6

पुनानो रूपे अव्यये विश्वा अर्षन्नभि श्रियः । शूरो न गोषु तिष्ठति ॥

Purificándose en la forma imperecedera, fluye hacia todos los esplendores; como un héroe se mantiene firme entre los Rayos —las Vacas—, guardando y sosteniendo los rebaños luminosos del conocimiento.

Mantra 7

दिवो न सानु पिप्युषी धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । वृथा पवित्रे अर्षति ॥

Como la cresta del cielo, la corriente creciente del Soma exprimido, del vedhas (sabio artífice), fluye por el purificador: no en vano, sino para el cumplimiento eficaz de la obra.

Mantra 8

त्वं सोम विपश्चितं तना पुनान आयुषु । अव्यो वारं वि धावसि ॥

Tú, oh Soma, purificándote por tu propia naturaleza, corres a través del tamiz de lana, haciendo las fuerzas vitales cada vez más perspicaces y luminosas.

Inside Sukta 16

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens with the pressers sending Soma’s essence forward—swift and impetuous—aimed at exhilaration and shining ardour.

  2. Development

    Soma’s movement is portrayed as a powerful stream: released, driven, and purified through the filter; its purpose expands from ritual action to divine empowerment (notably Indra) and to inner increase of force and discernment.

  3. Climax

    Soma, self-purifying, runs through the woollen strainer and heightens vipaścit (luminous intelligence) within the life-powers—purification becomes revelation.

  4. Where it settles

    The flow is stabilized as a fit offering: Soma’s clarified current is affirmed as the bearer of strength, fulfillment, and awakened insight for gods and worshippers.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaSoma is the pressed plant-juice made divine: bright, swift, and roaring as it is expressed, then purified as it courses through the sheep’s-wool filter, becoming the gods’ drink and the source of exhilaration and inspired vision.
  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and divine power: Soma nourishes the gods (especially empowering Indra), sustains ṛta (ordered movement), and renews life through the cycle of pressing, flowing, and offering.
  • Inner significanceThe clarified stream of consciousness: as Soma is ‘purified,’ the mind and life-breath become more lucid (vipaścit), energized, and capable of inspired perception and effective action.

The seer

  • Kāṇva (Kāṇva tradition; verse-level attributions vary in the Soma Pavamāna corpus)Kāṇva (Kanva) gotra / family of seers · A principal rishi-lineage associated with Soma-Pavamāna hymns and with vivid imagery of purification through the strainer (pavitra), linking ritual flow to inspired speech and strength.

Famous verses

प्र ते सोतार ओण्यो रसं मदाय घृष्वये । सर्गो न तक्त्येतशः ॥
Verse 9.16.1Sets the hymn’s central image: Soma’s essence propelled forward by the pressers, rushing like a released surge and driven like a swift steed—capturing both ritual dynamism and spiritual impetus.Read verse 9.16.1 →
प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥
Verse 9.16.5Highlights Soma’s destination and function: released with reverence toward Indra for ‘great bearing’—the carrying of power, victory, and accomplishment through the Soma-streams.Read verse 9.16.5 →
avyo vāraṃ vi dhāvasi
Verse 9.16.8States the inner-ritual culmination: Soma purifies by his own nature and runs through the woollen strainer, increasing discerning luminosity (vipaścit) in the life-forces.Read verse 9.16.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying (pavamāna) and self-clarifying
  • Swift-flowing, forceful, and radiant
  • Giver of madhu/mada (rapture, inspiration, ecstasy)
  • Empowerer of Indra and the gods
  • Associated with the woollen strainer (avyā vāra / pavitra)

Also by this seer

  • Major portions of Rig Veda Mandala 8 (many Kāṇva hymns)
  • Multiple hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 9 (Soma Pavamāna collections attributed to Kāṇvas in the Anukramaṇī tradition)

The rite, step by step

  • Preparation of the Soma plant and pressing area; arranging the strainer (pavitra/avyā vāra)
  • Pressing (savana) with stones; collecting the expressed rasa (juice/essence)
  • Purification: letting Soma run through the woollen filter while reciting Pavamāna verses
  • Mixing/strengthening (as customary) with water and adjuncts according to rite; directing the flow to Indra and other deities
  • Offering into the fire and/or into the appropriate vessels for the gods; concluding with praise for strength, clarity, and fulfillment

Offerings

  • Purified Soma juice (rasa)
  • Water for mixing and cleansing
  • Milk/curds (as ritually appropriate in Soma preparations)
  • Ghee and accompanying oblations in the broader Soma rite

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma as he is pressed and purified, describing his swift flow through the filter and his power to inspire ecstasy, strength, and clear understanding.

Indra is the chief receiver of Soma in many Vedic rituals; the hymn emphasizes that purified Soma strengthens Indra’s might and supports victorious, effective power.

Ritually, Soma is filtered through sheep’s wool to clarify the juice. Symbolically, it points to inner purification—refining the mind and life-force into brighter, more discerning awareness.

Ask anything about Sukta 16 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play