Sukta 33
Sukta 9.33
Soma-Pavamāna seer tradition.
Likely Gāyatrī or Triṣṭubh depending on hymn structure; needs verification from full sukta metrical pattern.
This short Pavamāna hymn praises Soma in his many flowing streams as he is purified and set in motion like the waves of water, forcefully pressing forward like bulls. It links the outward ritual of filtration and libation with inner illumination—Soma’s ‘tawny’ energy, the rising of inspired speech, and the bestowal of vast, fourfold abundance.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र सोमासो विपश्चितोऽपां न यन्त्यूर्मयः । वनानि महिषा इव ॥
सोम की शक्तियाँ आगे बढ़ रही हैं। इनकी समझ साफ है, जैसे पानी की लहरें। यह बड़े बैलों की तरह जंगल से गुज़र रही हैं। यह हमारे अंदर के रास्ते साफ करती हैं।
Mantra 2
अभि द्रोणानि बभ्रवः शुक्रा ऋतस्य धारया । वाजं गोमन्तमक्षरन् ॥
सोम की चमक-दार धारें बर्तन की तरफ जा रही हैं। यह धारें पीले रंग की हैं और साफ चमक रही हैं। यह सीधे रास्ते से बह रही हैं। इनमें से जो टपकता है वो ज्ञान और ताकत से भरा है।
Mantra 3
सुता इन्द्राय वायवे वरुणाय मरुद्भ्यः । सोमा अर्षन्ति विष्णवे ॥
सोम का रस निकल के बह रहा है। यह इंद्र और वायु के पास जा रहा है। वरुण और मरुत भी इसको पा रहे हैं। विष्णु के लिए भी यह धारा बह रही है। यह सब देवता अपनी जगह पर शक्ति ले रहे हैं।
Mantra 4
तिस्रो वाच उदीरते गावो मिमन्ति धेनवः । हरिरेति कनिक्रदत् ॥
तीन आवाज़ें उठ रही हैं। गाइयाँ जैसे दूध देती हैं वैसे आवाज़ कर रही हैं। सोम की पीली धारा आगे बढ़ रही है और आवाज़ कर रही है। यह अपनी जीत का संकेत दे रही है।
Mantra 5
अभि ब्रह्मीरनूषत यह्वीॠतस्य मातरः । मर्मृज्यन्ते दिवः शिशुम् ॥
पंडित लोग सोम की प्रार्थना कर रहे हैं। यह माता जैसी शक्तियाँ हैं जो सही रास्ते की रक्षा करती हैं। यह आसमान के बच्चे को साफ कर रही हैं और चमका रही हैं।
Mantra 6
रायः समुद्राँश्चतुरोऽस्मभ्यं सोम विश्वतः । आ पवस्व सहस्रिणः ॥
हे सोम, चारों तरफ से साफ हो के आओ। हमारे पास आओ और चार समुंदर जैसी धन लाओ। हज़ार गुना ज़्यादा धन दे दो।
Inside Sukta 33
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma-streams surge forth—intelligent and clarifying—like water-waves, driving powerfully through obstructing ‘forests.’
- Development
The hymn develops Soma’s movement as both physical purification and inspired animation: speech rises, rays/cows give their milk, and Soma’s tawny force advances with a triumphant cry.
- Climax
The vision of awakened utterance and Soma’s victorious passage culminates in the request for total, all-sided bestowal—abundance vast as ‘four oceans.’
- Where it settles
It closes with an imperative prayer: Soma, purify yourself toward us from every side, thousand-fold, bringing plenitude and well-being.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- Cosmic functionHe mediates between earth and heaven as the purified essence that invigorates gods and humans, releases strength, and distributes prosperity and plenitude from all directions.
- Inner significanceSoma signifies the purified current of consciousness: clarified perception (vipāścit), awakened speech (vāc), and an energizing delight-force that breaks through inner ‘forests’ (dense formations of habit and obscurity).
The seer
- Soma-Pavamāna seer tradition (anonymous/uncertain rishi)A collective Soma-seer voice typical of Maṇḍala 9, where the poetic ‘I/we’ speaks from within the pressing and purification of Soma rather than from a clearly named family rishi.
Famous verses
प्र सोमासो विपश्चितोऽपां न यन्त्यूर्मयः । वनानि महिषा इव ॥tisro vāca ud īrate
rāyaḥ samudrām̐ś caturo
Attributes of the deity
- Purifying flow (pavamāna)
- Wave-like, stream-plural movement
- Illuminating discernment (vipāścit)
- Tawny brilliance (hari)
- Voice/inspiration (vāc)
- Bestower of abundance and ‘four oceans’ of wealth
Also by this seer
- Multiple Pavamāna (Soma purification) hymns across Rig Veda Maṇḍala 9 are transmitted without a single securely identified personal rishi in some recensions/indices.
- The tradition is associated with liturgical composition for the Soma sacrifice (especially the flowing, filtered Soma accompanied by chant).
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks and express the juice (savana/pressing).
- Filter/purify through woolen strainer (pavitra), letting the streams run clear.
- Collect the clarified Soma in vessels; mix according to rite (often with water/milk as prescribed).
- Chant/recite while Soma ‘moves forward’ and is led to the offering-place.
- Offer libations to the gods (especially Indra and allied deities) and distribute the remainder per ritual rule.
Offerings
- Purified Soma juice (primary)
- Water used in purification
- Milk/curds as customary admixture (context-dependent)
- Ghee and accompanying oblations in the wider Soma rite
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma as he is purified and made ready for offering, describing him as wave-like streams that bring clarity, inspired speech, and abundant prosperity.
Waves express Soma’s flowing purification, while bulls express his force—his ability to break through obstacles and energize the ritual and the worshipper’s inner life.
It is a poetic way of asking for vast, complete abundance from every direction—material and spiritual plenitude gathered into a single, overflowing gift.
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