Sukta 19
Sukta 9.19
Ascribed generally in RV 9 (Pavamāna Maṇḍala) to Soma-pavamāna seers; specific attribution for 9.19 varies by tradition (often treated as Soma hymns of the Pavamanas rather than a single fixed r̥ṣi).
Gāyatrī (3 pādas × 8 syllables; typical for many Soma-pavamāna verses)
This short Soma-pavamāna hymn praises Soma as he is purified through the filter, asking him to bring “bright treasure” from both heaven and earth. It blends sacrificial imagery (the flowing, clarified draught and its nurturing powers) with a practical petition: Soma’s purified might should also subdue enemies, whether near or far.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
यत्सोम चित्रमुक्थ्यं दिव्यं पार्थिवं वसु । तन्नः पुनान आ भर ॥
हे सोम, जो भी चमकदार खज़ाना है, आसमान का या धरती का, जो गाने लायक है, वो सब ला। जब तू अपने आप को साफ करे, तब हमें दे।
Mantra 2
युवं हि स्थः स्वर्पती इन्द्रश्च सोम गोपती । ईशाना पिप्यतं धियः ॥
तुम दोनों, इंद्र और सोम, रोशनी की दुनिया के मालिक हो। तुम दोनों किरणों के रखवाले हो। हमें पावर दो, हमारे दिमाग को चमकाओ।
Mantra 3
वृषा पुनान आयुषु स्तनयन्नधि बर्हिषि । हरिः सन्योनिमासदत् ॥
वो बैल जैसा ताकतवर है। ज़िन्दगी की धारा में अपने आप को साफ करता है। बारिश जैसी आवाज़ करता है और पूजा के घास पर बैठ जाता है। वो पीला रंग का है और यज्ञ के गर्भ में प्रवेश करता है।
Mantra 4
अवावशन्त धीतयो वृषभस्याधि रेतसि । सूनोर्वत्सस्य मातरः ॥
रिशियों के विचार बैल के बीज के ऊपर गूँजते हैं। जैसे माँ अपने नए बच्चे का ख्याल रखती है, वैसे ही ये शक्तियाँ उस नए प्रकाश की पोषण करती हैं।
Mantra 5
कुविद्वृषण्यन्तीभ्यः पुनानो गर्भमादधत् । याः शुक्रं दुहते पयः ॥
वो साफ करते वक़्त एक नया जीव पैदा करे उन शक्तियों में। यह शक्तियाँ वो चमकता हुआ दूध निकालती हैं। यह दूध सबसे साफ चीज़ है।
Mantra 6
उप शिक्षापतस्थुषो भियसमा धेहि शत्रुषु । पवमान विदा रयिम् ॥
हमें पास से सिखाओ। हमारे दुश्मनों में डर भर दो जो हमपे चढ़ के आए हैं। हे पवमान, हमारे लिए पूरा सुख और संपत्ति लाओ।
Mantra 7
नि शत्रोः सोम वृष्ण्यं नि शुष्मं नि वयस्तिर । दूरे वा सतो अन्ति वा ॥
हे सोम, दुश्मन की ताकत तोड़ दो। उसकी ज़ोर भी तोड़ दो, उसकी चाल भी तोड़ दो। वो दूर हो या पास, फर्क नहीं पड़ता।
Inside Sukta 19
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Invocation to Soma as he purifies himself, asking him to bring manifold treasure—divine and earthly (9.19.1).
- Development
Ritual-poetic imagery intensifies: inspired thoughts respond, and nurturing “Mothers” foster the newborn, potent essence emerging from the Bull’s seed (9.19.4).
- Climax
Soma’s purified power is asked to act as a warrior-force, breaking the adversary’s strength and forward drive.
- Where it settles
The hymn closes with a protective sweep—Soma casts down hostile power whether it is distant or near (9.19.7), sealing the rite with assurance of defense.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and order: Soma’s clarified flow sustains the gods, strengthens Indra for victory, and helps secure prosperity, protection, and right increase for the sacrificers.
- Inner significanceThe purification of Soma mirrors inner clarification—refining thought and speech (dhī), concentrating life-force, and transforming raw impulse into luminous, disciplined power that overcomes inner and outer adversaries.
The seer
- Pavamāna Soma seers (Soma-pavamāna ṛṣayaḥ)Collective seer-tradition of Maṇḍala 9 that voices Soma’s purification (pavamāna) as a liturgical-poetic cycle rather than a single fixed author.
Famous verses
यत्सोम चित्रमुक्थ्यं दिव्यं पार्थिवं वसु । तन्नः पुनान आ भर ॥अवावशन्त धीतयो वृषभस्याधि रेतसि । सूनोर्वत्सस्य मातरः ॥नि शत्रोः सोम वृष्ण्यं नि शुष्मं नि वयस्तिर । दूरे वा सतो अन्ति वा ॥Attributes of the deity
- Purifying flow (pavamāna)
- Radiance/brightness (citra, śukra sense)
- Bestower of heavenly and earthly wealth
- Invigorator and protector in conflict
- Linked with inspired thought (dhītayaḥ) and nurturing powers (“Mothers”)
Also by this seer
- Most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 9 (Pavamāna Maṇḍala) Soma hymns
- Development of recurring Soma imagery: filter (pavitra), stream/flow, brightness, invigorating power, and protection in ritual context
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks and collect the expressed juice (savana context).
- Mix/prepare with water; guide the flow toward the filter (pavitra).
- Filter through wool/strainer while chanting Gāyatrī Soma-pavamāna verses.
- Collect the clarified Soma; apportion for offerings to deities (commonly Indra and the Soma deities).
- Offer libations with accompanying recitations; conclude with petitions for wealth and the weakening of hostile forces.
Offerings
- Clarified Soma libations
- Water used in mixing/flow
- Associated oblations in the Soma rite (as prescribed in Śrauta practice)
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Soma, while he is being purified, to bring bright treasures (both heavenly and earthly) and to protect the worshippers by reducing hostile forces.
In the Soma ritual, the expressed juice is strained through a filter (often wool). The hymn poetically treats this as a sacred refining that makes Soma radiant, powerful, and fit to be offered.
They are nurturing powers associated with the rite—often understood as the waters, the filtering elements, or supportive divine forces that foster the newly clarified Soma and the light/strength it symbolizes.
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