Sukta 103
Sukta 9.103
Soma Pavamāna corpus
Likely Gāyatrī/Anuṣṭubh/Triṣṭubh depending on hymn; verify by metrical count for 9.103.1.
This short Pavamāna hymn offers an “uplifted word” to Soma as he purifies through the filter and enters the ritual vessels, becoming clear, bright, and acceptable to the gods. Soma is praised as the infallible leader of inspired thoughts (matīnāṃ netā), moving in circuits like a victorious steed and spreading nourishment and expansive enjoyment. The purpose is both liturgical—sanctifying the pressed juice for offering—and visionary—invoking Soma’s clarifying power within the worshipper.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र पुनानाय वेधसे सोमाय वच उद्यतम् । भृतिं न भरा मतिभिर्जुजोषते ॥
सोम अभी अपने आप को साफ कर रहा है। उसके लिए हमारी बात ऊपर उठाओ। जो बात हमने सोच के बोली है, उसे भगवान के पास ले जाओ। वो उसे ज़रूर एक्सेप्ट करेगा।
Mantra 2
परि वाराण्यव्यया गोभिरञ्जानो अर्षति । त्री षधस्था पुनानः कृणुते हरिः ॥
सोम के चमकते किरण उसमें पड़े हैं। वो बिना थके फ़िल्टर से हो के बह रहा है। सफेद कपड़े जैसे उसके आस पास हैं। साफ हो के वो तीन जगह अपना स्थान बना रहा है।
Mantra 3
परि कोशं मधुश्चुतमव्यये वारे अर्षति । अभि वाणीॠषीणां सप्त नूषत ॥
सोम बर्तन के आस पास बह रहा है। उसमे से मीठा रस टपक रहा है। फ़िल्टर काम कर रहा है, रुकता नहीं। सात रिशियों की आवाज़ें उसको पुकारती हैं और जाग जाती हैं।
Mantra 4
परि णेता मतीनां विश्वदेवो अदाभ्यः । सोमः पुनानश्चम्वोर्विशद्धरिः ॥
सोम हर तरफ घूमेगा, वो कभी गलत नहीं होता। वो हमारे थॉट्स का लीडर है। सारे देवताओं की शक्ति उसमे है। जब वो अपने आप को साफ करता है, बर्तन में घुस जाता है। अंदर चमकने लगता है।
Mantra 5
परि दैवीरनु स्वधा इन्द्रेण याहि सरथम् । पुनानो वाघद्वाघद्भिरमर्त्यः ॥
भगवान के नियम के साथ चलो। इंद्र के साथ एक ही रथ में आओ। सोम अपने आप को साफ कर के अमर हो रहा है। गाने वाले और मंत्र बोलने वाले उसके साथ चल रहे हैं।
Mantra 6
परि सप्तिर्न वाजयुर्देवो देवेभ्यः सुतः । व्यानशिः पवमानो वि धावति ॥
सोम देवता घोड़े की तरह दौड़ता है, जैसे कोई रेस जीत रहा हो। भगवानों के लिए निकाला गया यह रस साफ हो रहा है। वो चारों तरफ फैल रहा है और सबको खुशी दे रहा है।
Inside Sukta 103
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn begins by ‘bringing forward’ an uplifted word to Soma the purifier, treating speech itself as an offering carried by inspired thought.
- Development
Soma is then depicted as the infallible, all-god-bearing leader who moves around and enters the vessels, becoming clear and luminous as he purifies.
- Climax
A vivid kinetic image peaks: Soma circles like a prize-winning steed and runs forth in many directions, distributing wide enjoyment and strength while purifying.
- Where it settles
The movement culminates in Soma’s accepted, clarified presence—fit for the gods and beneficial to the worshipper’s mind and vitality.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaHe is praised as wise and unerring (adābhya), a leader of inspirations, and as carrying ‘all-god’ potency (viśvadeva).
- Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and divine power: he energizes the gods, sustains ṛta through consecrated offering, and circulates strength and nourishment like a swift steed moving in ordered courses.
- Inner significanceThe purifying Soma symbolizes the clarification of mind and speech: inspired thought becomes lucid, expansive, and fit for truth (ṛta), distributing inner ‘enjoyment’ and strength in many directions.
The seer
- Pavamāna Soma (Soma Pavamāna corpus)In Maṇḍala 9 many hymns are attributed in the ritual tradition to seers aligned with the Soma-pressing (pavamāna) liturgy; the voice is characteristically that of the Soma hymn-cycle praising purification, brilliance, and divine acceptability.
Famous verses
प्र पुनानाय वेधसे सोमाय वच उद्यतम् । भृतिं न भरा मतिभिर्जुजोषते ॥netā matīnāṃ
परि सप्तिर्न वाजयुर्देवो देवेभ्यः सुतः । व्यानशिः पवमानो वि धावति ॥Attributes of the deity
- self-purifying (pavamāna)
- tawny/bright (hari)
- infallible (adābhya)
- leader of inspirations (matīnāṃ netā)
- all-god potency (viśvadeva)
- swift, coursing, and circulating like a steed
- clarifying and luminous in the vessels (camū)
Also by this seer
- Part of the Soma Pavamāna collection (Rig Veda Maṇḍala 9) used extensively in Soma rites
- Associated with the broader Pavamāna sequence recited during pressing, filtering, and offering of Soma
- Contributes to the RV’s ritual-poetic theology of Soma as purifier, inspirer, and bearer of divine powers
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma (suta) and mix/prepare according to rite
- Filter through the strainer (pavitra), reciting Pavamāna verses to consecrate the flow
- Collect the clarified Soma in vessels/cups (camū) as it becomes ‘clear’ (viśad)
- Offer portions to the gods (especially Indra and the deities of the pressing) with accompanying speech (vāc) and intention (mati)
- Distribute remaining Soma according to ritual shares; conclude with praise for Soma’s spreading nourishment
Offerings
- Clarified Soma juice
- Associated oblations in the Soma rite (as prescribed): ghee and ritual portions alongside Soma
- Praise/utterance (vāc) as a ‘carried offering’ (bhṛti)
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma while he is being purified through the filter and collected in the ritual vessels, asking that he accept the worshipper’s inspired words and bring clarity and strength.
“Pavamāna” means “self-purifying”: it refers to Soma as the pressed juice that becomes clear and bright as it flows through the strainer into the cups.
It means Soma is invoked as the power that guides and clarifies inner inspiration (mati), making the mind and speech luminous, focused, and fit for offering and truth.
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