Sukta 23
Sukta 9.23
Uncertain/Traditional: Soma Pavamāna seers
Soma Pavamāna
This Soma Pavamāna hymn praises the swift, honey-streaming Soma as he is purified and set flowing, awakening inspired poetry (kāvya) and establishing strength in the sacrificer. Soma is celebrated as the bearer of Indra’s power (indriya rasa): when Indra drinks these ecstasies, he repeatedly overcomes the Vṛtra-forces of obstruction, while Soma also protects the worshipper from hostile speech and attack.
Mantras
Mantra 1
सोमा असृग्रमाशवो मधोर्मदस्य धारया । अभि विश्वानि काव्या ॥
सोम रस तेज़ी से बह रहा है जैसे शहद मिला हो। यह रस सब अच्छे कामों को जगा रहा है और अंदर छुपी हुई बातों को सामने ला रहा है।
Mantra 2
अनु प्रत्नास आयवः पदं नवीयो अक्रमुः । रुचे जनन्त सूर्यम् ॥
पुराने रिशियों के पीछे चल के, नई राह पर बढ़ गए हैं। चमक से सूरज को निकाला है, अंदर का सच्चा रोशनी जैसे जग गया हो।
Mantra 4
अभि सोमास आयवः पवन्ते मद्यं मदम् । अभि कोशं मधुश्चुतम् ॥
सोम रस अपने आप को साफ करता है और खुशी की तरफ बढ़ता है। वो उस बर्तन की तरफ जाता है जहाँ से शहद टपक रहा है, जैसे दिल खुश हो जाए।
Mantra 5
सोमो अर्षति धर्णसिर्दधान इन्द्रियं रसम् । सुवीरो अभिशस्तिपाः ॥
सोम रस बह रहा है, सब का आधार बन के। यह इंद्र की ताकत का स्वाद है। इसमें बड़ी ताकत है, और यह हमें बुरी बातों से बचाता है।
Mantra 6
इन्द्राय सोम पवसे देवेभ्यः सधमाद्यः । इन्दो वाजं सिषाससि ॥
सोम, तुम इंद्र के लिए बह रहे हो। देवता लोग भी इससे खुश हैं। तुम हम में ताकत और जीत लाना चाहते हो।
Mantra 7
अस्य पीत्वा मदानामिन्द्रो वृत्राण्यप्रति । जघान जघनच्च नु ॥
इंद्र ने यह रस पिया, और उसमें नशा आया। फिर उसने दुश्मनों को मारा, जो रोक रहे थे। वो अब तक मारता जा रहा है।
Inside Sukta 23
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma begins as swift streams flowing forth in a honeyed current, moving over and awakening all inspired works (kāvya).
- Development
The hymn develops Soma’s role as support and as the carrier of Indra’s essential force (indriya rasa), granting heroism and protection from hostile speech and assault.
- Climax
Indra, empowered by drinking Soma’s ecstasies, smites the Vṛtras—obstructions—again and again, presenting victory as an ongoing reality.
- Where it settles
The flow of purified Soma is affirmed as sustaining power and protection for the worshipper, leaving the rite oriented toward strength, clarity, and guarded speech.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaSoma is the pressed and filtered sacred drink, praised as swift (āśu), honey-like (madhu), ecstatic (mada), and as a flowing stream (dhārā) that animates inspired speech and sacred work (kāvya). In this hymn he is also the support (dharṇasi) and a protector from hostile utterance (abhiśasti-pāḥ), while empowering Indra to destroy Vṛtra.
- Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and victory: Soma renews life-force, strengthens the gods—especially Indra—and drives away obstructive powers, enabling the cosmic order to move freely.
- Inner significanceThe clarified Soma symbolizes purified consciousness and concentrated delight/energy: when refined, it becomes inspiration, courage, and the power to break inner resistance (vṛtra) such as inertia, fear, and negativity.
Famous verses
सोमा असृग्रमाशवो मधोर्मदस्य धारया । अभि विश्वानि काव्या ॥सोमो अर्षति धर्णसिर्दधान इन्द्रियं रसम् । सुवीरो अभिशस्तिपाः ॥अस्य पीत्वा मदानामिन्द्रो वृत्राण्यप्रति । जघान जघनच्च नु ॥Attributes of the deity
- pavamāna (self-purifying/being purified)
- āśu (swift-flowing)
- madhu/mada (honeyed ecstasy)
- dhārā (streaming current)
- indriya-rasa bearer (carrier of Indra-force)
- protector from abhiśasti (hostile speech/curse)
Also by this seer
- Attribution by genre to the Soma Pavamāna corpus of Rig Veda Mandala 9 (multiple hymns addressed to Soma in the context of pressing and purification).
- Linked in ritual usage to Soma-stotras and recitations in Soma sacrifices (e.g., Agniṣṭoma framework), though not a separate later text.
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks and collect the expressed juice.
- Filter/purify through woolen strainer (pavitra), guiding the flow with stotra/śastra recitation.
- Mix/prepare Soma according to rite (often with water; sometimes with milk/curds in related settings) and set in vessels.
- Offer libations to the deities—chiefly Soma and Indra (Indra-Soma complex)—into the sacred fire.
- Distribute/partake as ritually appropriate, praying for vigor, inspired speech, and removal of obstacles.
- Conclude with protective intentions against hostile speech and harm (abhiśasti).
Offerings
- Purified Soma juice (libation)
- Ghee and accompanying oblations customary to Soma rites
- Ritual speech (stotra/śastra) as an offering of inspiration (kāvya)
Frequently Asked Questions
The main deity is Soma Pavamāna—Soma as he is pressed and purified. Indra also appears because Soma empowers Indra’s victories.
It refers to Soma “being purified” as the juice flows through the filter. The hymn treats this purified flow as sacred energy that brings inspiration, strength, and protection.
It shows Soma’s function as a power-giver: when Indra drinks Soma, he gains the force to break obstructions (Vṛtra). Symbolically, it is the overcoming of resistance through clarified energy and focus.
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