Sukta 18
Sukta 9.18
Anuṣṭubh (probable; refrain-like cadence)
This short Pavamāna hymn praises Soma as he is pressed and purified through the filter, moving from the mountain source into the vessels prepared for the sacrifice. Each verse returns to the refrain “madeṣu sarvadhā asi,” affirming Soma’s pervasive presence in every uplifted state and sacred exhilaration. The hymn’s purpose is both ritual (sanctifying the flowing Soma) and spiritual (invoking clarity, strength, and prosperity through the purified essence).
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
परि सुवानो गिरिष्ठाः पवित्रे सोमो अक्षाः । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
पहाड़ से निकला हुआ सोम चक्कर लगाता है। साफ करने वाले से गुज़र के बहता है। हर खुशी में, हर जगह तुम हो।
Mantra 2
त्वं विप्रस्त्वं कविर्मधु प्र जातमन्धसः । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
तू ही वाइज़ है, तू ही कवि है। तू वो मीठा रस है जो निकला है सोम के जूस से। हर खुशी में, तू पूरा है।
Mantra 3
तव विश्वे सजोषसो देवासः पीतिमाशत । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
सारे देवता मिलकर तेरा रस पीते हैं। वो सब एक साथ खुश होके आते हैं। हर खुशी में, तू पूरा है।
Mantra 4
आ यो विश्वानि वार्या वसूनि हस्तयोर्दधे । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
जो हमें सब अच्छी चीज़ें देता है, वो सोम तू ही है। वो हमारे हाथ में सब डाल देता है। हर खुशी में, तू पूरा है।
Mantra 5
य इमे रोदसी मही सं मातरेव दोहते । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
यह दोनों बड़ी दुनिया जैसे दो माँ हो, उन दोनों से रस निकालता है। वो सोम तू ही है। हर खुशी में, तू पूरा है।
Mantra 6
परि यो रोदसी उभे सद्यो वाजेभिरर्षति । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
दोनों दुनिया को एक साथ घेर लेता है, जैसे पानी बाह जाए। वो सोम तू ही है। हर खुशी में, तू पूरा है।
Mantra 7
स शुष्मी कलशेष्वा पुनानो अचिक्रदत् । मदेषु सर्वधा असि ॥
वो सोम ताकत से भरा हुआ है। अपने आप को साफ करता है और कलशों में आता है। आवाज़ निकालता है जैसे खुश हो। हर जगह, हर तरह से खुशी में वो है।
Inside Sukta 18
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma, mountain-born, begins his purifying circuit through the filter—an image of sacred flow and consecration.
- Development
The hymn repeatedly identifies Soma as present in every ‘mada’ (uplift/rapture), while highlighting his tangible ritual actions: flowing, being purified, and granting riches into human hands.
- Climax
Soma’s vigorous arrival into the jars—crying aloud as he comes—marks the peak of potency: the essence is now fully gathered, energized, and ready for offering.
- Where it settles
The refrain closes the movement by universalizing the experience: Soma is present ‘in every way’ within all exalted states, sealing both ritual efficacy and inner uplift.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaHe is described as mountain-born (giriṣṭhāḥ), flowing in circuits, roaring/crying out as he enters the vessels, and bestowing desirable riches into the worshiper’s hands.
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between earth and heaven as a consecrated essence: invigorating the gods, empowering Indra’s victory, sustaining ṛta (cosmic order) through the sacrificial flow, and distributing vitality, wealth, and inspired speech to humans.
- Inner significancePsychologically, Pavamāna signifies the mind’s vital energy purified through discipline—raw impulse refined into clarity, joy, and inspired strength. Spiritually, he represents the bliss-bearing essence that pervades elevated states (mada) while remaining ‘filtered’—i.e., made fit for divine communion.
The seer
- AnuktaThis sukta is transmitted without a clearly named ṛṣi in the provided tradition; such anonymity is common in portions of the Soma-Pavamāna corpus where the emphasis rests on the liturgy and refrain rather than a personal seer-signature.
Famous verses
madeṣu sarvadhā asi
viśvāni vāryā vasūni hastayor dadhe
kalaśeṣv ā punāno acikradat
Attributes of the deity
- Pavamāna (self-purifying)
- Mountain-born source
- Flows through the pavitra (filter)
- Enters jars/vessels (kalaśa)
- Bestower of wealth and desirable goods
- Bringer of ecstasy/rapture (mada)
- Vigorous, forceful (śuṣmī)
- Pervasive presence in all exalted states (refrain)
Also by this seer
- General attribution pattern: many Mandala 9 Pavamāna hymns are connected with Soma-pressing lineages and ritual specialists
- Comparable refrain-style Pavamāna stotras occur widely across RV 9, often functioning as set pieces for the pressing and filtering sequences.
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma (or its ritual substitute) and collect the expressed juice.
- Filter/purify through the pavitra (wool/grass strainer), reciting the Pavamāna verses with the refrain.
- Guide the purified flow into kalaśa (jars) and mixing vessels; maintain rhythmic recitation to ‘carry’ the flow.
- Prepare libations for the deities (often especially Indra and the Maruts in Soma contexts), keeping the Soma ‘bright’ and consecrated.
- Offer the Soma into the fire/with offerings according to the pressing sequence; conclude with prayers for wealth, strength, and uplifted joy.
Offerings
- Purified Soma juice (pavamāna)
- Libations (graha) from the filtered Soma
- Associated oblations in the Soma rite (as prescribed in the śrauta context)
Frequently Asked Questions
It describes Soma being pressed and purified through the filter (pavitra), then flowing into jars for the sacrifice, while proclaiming that Soma is present in every state of sacred exhilaration (mada).
The refrain reinforces one central teaching: purified Soma pervades all forms of uplifted joy and inspired intensity—ritually in the Soma flow, and inwardly as clarified vitality in the worshiper.
As Pavamāna, Soma is also a symbol of refined life-force and consciousness—raw energy made pure through ‘filtering,’ becoming clarity, strength, and bliss fit for communion with the divine.
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