Sukta 16
Sukta 9.16
This Pavamāna Soma hymn celebrates the pressed Soma as it rushes forth from the stones and runs through the woollen filter, becoming a radiant, intoxicating (inspiring) essence fit for the gods. It links Soma’s swift, streaming movement with the awakening of inner power—especially Indra’s strength—and with the sharpening of insight and life-force in the worshipper.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र ते सोतार ओण्यो रसं मदाय घृष्वये । सर्गो न तक्त्येतशः ॥
सोम के लिए जो लोग रस निकालते हैं वो आगे बढ़ते हैं। वो रस निकालते हैं ताकि खुशी आए और चमक बढ़े। यह ऐसा है जैसे कोई घोड़ा तेज़ी से दौड़ता है, या जैसे पानी तेज़ी से बहता है।
Mantra 2
क्रत्वा दक्षस्य रथ्यमपो वसानमन्धसा । गोषामण्वेषु सश्चिम ॥
अपनी सोच और समझ से वो रास्ता बन जाता है जहाँ काम सही से होता है। पानी में वो रस लेके चलता है। वो छोटे-छोटे रस्तों पर जाता है और चमकदार ज्ञान ढूंढता है।
Mantra 3
अनप्तमप्सु दुष्टरं सोमं पवित्र आ सृज । पुनीहीन्द्राय पातवे ॥
सोम पानी में है, वो भी ऐसे जैसे कोई बाँध न हो। उसे छेना और साफ कर दो। इंद्र के लिए तैयार करो ताकि वो पी सकें। यह ताकत वाला देवता साफ किए हुए अमृत को अपने अंदर ले।
Mantra 4
प्र पुनानस्य चेतसा सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । क्रत्वा सधस्थमासदत् ॥
सोम साफ हो रहा है और आगे बढ़ रहा है। चेतन मन से साफ होके छेने से गुज़रता है। इच्छा और संकल्प की ताकत से यहाँ आके बैठता है। यज्ञ और जीवन का एक ही स्थान बनाता है।
Mantra 5
प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥
इंद्र के लिए सोम की धारें छोड़ी जा रही हैं। प्रणाम के साथ यह बह रहे हैं। जो लोग यह करता हैं वो बड़ा बोझ उठा रहे हैं। ताकत और पूर्ति दोनों लाते हैं।
Mantra 6
पुनानो रूपे अव्यये विश्वा अर्षन्नभि श्रियः । शूरो न गोषु तिष्ठति ॥
वो अपने आप को साफ करता है जो कभी खत्म न हो। ऐसी शक्ति में वो चमक की तरफ बढ़ता है। जैसे कोई बहादुर वीर अपनी गायों के बीच खड़ा रहता है। वैसे ही वो ज्ञान की रोशनी को संभालता है।
Mantra 7
दिवो न सानु पिप्युषी धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । वृथा पवित्रे अर्षति ॥
आसमान की तरह ऊपर से सोम की धार बह रही है। जो लोग निचोड़कर निकालते हैं उनका यह काम है। यह साफ करने वाले से गुज़रता है। व्यर्थ नहीं, बल्कि काम पूरा करने के लिए।
Mantra 8
त्वं सोम विपश्चितं तना पुनान आयुषु । अव्यो वारं वि धावसि ॥
हे सोम, तुम अपने आप को साफ करते हो। अपनी ताकत से तुम ऊन के कपड़े से हो के गुज़रते हो। तुम लोगों की ज़िन्दगी में चमक लाते हो। उनकी सोच को और क्लियर बना देते हो।
Inside Sukta 16
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens with the pressers sending Soma’s essence forward—swift and impetuous—aimed at exhilaration and shining ardour.
- 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.
- Climax
Soma, self-purifying, runs through the woollen strainer and heightens vipaścit (luminous intelligence) within the life-powers—purification becomes revelation.
- 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
- 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 ॥प्र त्वा नमोभिरिन्दव इन्द्र सोमा असृक्षत । महे भराय कारिणः ॥avyo vāraṃ vi dhāvasi
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.
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