Sukta 112
Sukta 9.112
Soma (Indu) for Indra
Anushtubh-like (late/gnomic feel; exact meter needs confirm)
This short Pavamāna hymn praises Soma (Indu) as he is purified and set to flow for Indra’s strengthening. Using vivid, almost proverbial images of varied human callings and natural impulses, it declares that though minds and pursuits differ, all converge upon the sacrificial flow that empowers Indra and sustains order.
Mantras
Mantra 1
नानानं वा उ नो धियो वि व्रतानि जनानाम् । तक्षा रिष्टं रुतं भिषग्ब्रह्मा सुन्वन्तमिच्छतीन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ॥
लोगों के अलग-अलग सोच है और अलग-अलग काम है। बढ़ई टूटा हुआ लकड़ी ढूंढता है। वैद्य बीमार लोगों को ढूंढता है। पुजारी सोम रस निकालने वाले को ढूंढता है। हे इंदु, इंद्र के लिए बहाओ।
Mantra 2
जरतीभिरोषधीभिः पर्णेभिः शकुनानाम् । कार्मारो अश्मभिर्द्युभिर्हिरण्यवन्तमिच्छतीन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ॥
पक्षी पकड़ने वाले सूखे पौधे और पत्ते इस्तेमाल करते हैं अपना काम करने के लिए। लोहार पत्थर और आग इस्तेमाल करता है सोना ढूंढने के लिए। हे इंदु, इंद्र के लिए बहाओ।
Mantra 3
कारुरहं ततो भिषगुपलप्रक्षिणी नना । नानाधियो वसूयवोऽनु गा इव तस्थिमेन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ॥
मैं शब्द बनाता हूँ, कोई और वैद्य बनता है, कोई और चक्की पीसता है। सबकी अलग-अलग समझ है और सब कुछ पाना चाहते हैं। हम सब साथ में चलते हैं जैसे गाय एक लाइन में चलती हैं। हे इंदु, इंद्र के लिए बहाओ।
Mantra 4
अश्वो वोळ्हा सुखं रथं हसनामुपमन्त्रिणः । शेपो रोमण्वन्तौ भेदौ वारिन्मण्डूक इच्छतीन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ॥
घोड़ा आराम से रथ को खींचता है और उसके साथ आवाज़ें आती हैं। ताकत अंदर से हिलती है और रास्ता बनाती है। पानी में मेंढक भी बारिश का इंतज़ार करता है। हे इंदु, इंद्र के लिए बहाओ।
Inside Sukta 112
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Diversity of human thoughts and vocations is asserted as a universal fact.
- Development
Examples (carpenter, healer, priest/presser, grinder at the stone) show each person seeks their proper object—yet all are drawn into the sacrificial economy that culminates in Soma’s flow.
- Climax
The hymn’s insight: many-minded seekers of ‘vasu’ (plenitudes) align like ordered cattle/rays, converging on the same truth-bearing current—Indu flowing for Indra.
- Where it settles
Natural and generative images (chariot, responsive voices, breaking obstructions, even the frog yearning in waters) seal the refrain: may Indu flow forth encirclingly ‘for Indra’.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna, flowing/filtered Soma—‘for Indra’
- In the VedaIndu is the bright, purified Soma-juice that runs through the woolen filter, becoming ‘pavamāna’ (self-purifying/being purified) and thrilling gods, foremost Indra.
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between earth and heaven as consecrated vitality: a divine drink that intensifies Indra’s power, releases rain and abundance, and supports ṛta (cosmic order) through sacrifice.
- Inner significanceThe clarified flow symbolizes refined consciousness—desire and thought disciplined through tapas and rite—becoming a single, luminous current that energizes courage, clarity, and right action (Indra within).
The seer
- Anukramaṇī-ascription uncertain (Pavamāna anthology; often treated as anonymous/collective)Associated with the late, gnomic style within the Soma-Pavamāna corpus, emphasizing social diversity and shared sacrificial aim rather than a single seer’s personal mythic narrative.
Famous verses
nānānaṃ vā u no dhiyo
nānādhiyo vasūyavaḥ
अश्वो वोळ्हा सुखं रथं हसनामुपमन्त्रिणः । शेपो रोमण्वन्तौ भेदौ वारिन्मण्डूक इच्छतीन्द्रायेन्दो परि स्रव ॥Attributes of the deity
- Purifying flow (pavamāna)
- Brightness/clarity (indu, śukra)
- Strength-giver to Indra
- Life-impulse and exhilaration
- Ritual centrality (pressed, filtered, offered)
- Linked with rain, fertility, and abundance
Also by this seer
- Part of the Book 9 Soma-Pavamāna collections (hymns to the flowing/filtered Soma)
- Refrain-driven Indu stanzas used in Soma pressing contexts across Pavamāna recitations
The rite, step by step
- Soma is pressed from the plant with stones/pressing implements.
- Juice is mixed/clarified and led through a woolen filter (pavitra).
- Pavamāna verses are chanted to accompany and ‘steer’ the flow toward the gods.
- Libations are offered, with Indra as primary recipient/empowered deity.
Offerings
- Pressed Soma juice (libations)
- Associated oblations in Soma rite (as customary): ghee and ritual portions accompanying the Soma offering
Frequently Asked Questions
It says that people think and work in many different ways, but all these pursuits ultimately meet in the sacrificial flow of Soma, which strengthens Indra and brings prosperity.
These examples show everyday diversity in society: each profession seeks its own ‘object’ (wood, illness, the presser). The hymn uses this to point to a shared center—the Soma rite.
Soma (Indu) is directly praised as he flows and is purified, but the refrain makes the purpose clear: Soma is offered ‘for Indra,’ to empower Indra’s victorious, rain-bringing force.
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