Sukta 36
Sukta 9.36
This short Pavamāna hymn celebrates Soma as he is released from pressing, enters the woolen filter, and streams into the twin bowls, becoming purified and empowered for the gods. The verses praise his ordered, truth-seeking flow (ṛta), his strengthening might, and his ascent toward the heavenly realm, bringing vigor, light, and heroic force to the sacrificer.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
असर्जि रथ्यो यथा पवित्रे चम्वोः सुतः । कार्ष्मन्वाजी न्यक्रमीत् ॥
सोम निकला जैसे कोई रेस में भागे। वो छन्नी से गुज़रा और दो बर्तन में गया। यह ताकत लाने वाला है और यज्ञ के क्षेत्र में उतरा।
Mantra 2
स वह्निः सोम जागृविः पवस्व देववीरति । अभि कोशं मधुश्चुतम् ॥
सोम, तू जाग रहा है और अग्नि की तरह है। साफ हो और आगे बढ़। देवताओं की ताकत की तरफ जा। उस बर्तन तक पहुँच जहाँ से मीठा रस टपकता है।
Mantra 3
स नो ज्योतींषि पूर्व्य पवमान वि रोचय । क्रत्वे दक्षाय नो हिनु ॥
हे पवमान, पुराने उजालों को चमका दे हमारे लिए। हमें सही काम करने की शक्ति दे। हमें समझने की ताकत भी दे ताकि हम सही फैसला ले सकें।
Mantra 4
शुम्भमान ऋतायुभिर्मृज्यमानो गभस्त्योः । पवते वारे अव्यये ॥
सत की तलाश करने वाले सोम को सजाते हैं। हाथों की किरणों में वो साफ होता है। वो बहता रहता है ऐसी धारा में जो कभी खत्म नहीं होती।
Mantra 5
स विश्वा दाशुषे वसु सोमो दिव्यानि पार्थिवा । पवतामान्तरिक्ष्या ॥
जब सोम साफ होता है तो देने वाले को सब कुछ देता है। आसमान की चीज़ें देता है, धरती की चीज़ें भी देता है। बीच वाली दुनिया की चीज़ें भी उसको मिलती हैं।
Mantra 6
आ दिवस्पृष्ठमश्वयुर्गव्ययुः सोम रोहसि । वीरयुः शवसस्पते ॥
हे सोम, तू आसमान के पीछे तक जाता है। तेज़ी माँगता है, चमक माँगता है। बहादुरी की ताकत माँगता है, तू ताकत का मालिक है।
Inside Sukta 36
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma is released with speed and purpose, entering the filter and bowls like a chariot-racer entering the course (RV 9.36.1).
- Development
He is adorned and cleansed by truth-seekers, purified in the hands’ rays, and established in an imperishable stream aligned with ṛta (RV 9.36.4).
- Climax
The hymn culminates in Soma’s upward ascent—reaching the back of heaven—seeking swiftness, illumination, and heroic power (RV 9.36.6).
- Where it settles
The purified Soma stands as lord of might, implicitly ready for offering: clarified, empowered, and capable of granting force and prosperity to worshippers.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- Cosmic functionMediator between heaven and earth: a luminous, ordered flow that invigorates Indra and the gods, sustains ṛta (cosmic order), and distributes strength, prosperity, and inspired speech.
- Inner significanceThe clarifying current of consciousness—purified delight (ānanda) and discernment—moving from raw impulse to refined power, enabling truth-seeking, courage, and upward aspiration.
The seer
- Asita Kāśyapa (traditional attribution)Kāśyapa-gotra (traditional) · Associated in later Vedic tradition with ascetic insight and seer-vision; linked with Soma-Pavamāna praise in some hymn attributions where authorship is uncertain in transmission.
Famous verses
असर्जि रथ्यो यथा पवित्रे चम्वोः सुतः । कार्ष्मन्वाजी न्यक्रमीत् ॥शुम्भमान ऋतायुभिर्मृज्यमानो गभस्त्योः । पवते वारे अव्यये ॥śavasas pate
Attributes of the deity
- Pavamāna (self-purifying)
- Swift like a racer
- Filtered through wool (pavitra)
- Strength-giving (śavas, vāja)
- Aligned with ṛta (truth-order)
- Ascending, heaven-reaching
- Bestower of light, cattle/wealth, and heroic vigor
Also by this seer
- Traditional association with Soma-Pavamāna stotras in Mandala 9 (attribution varies by recension and anukramaṇī traditions)
- Connected in later literature with the Kāśyapa seer-line prominent in Vedic and Itihāsa-Purāṇa genealogies
The rite, step by step
- Soma stalks are brought and prepared; the pressing stones/pressing is performed (savana).
- Juice is expressed into vessels and mixed/managed according to rite.
- The pressed Soma is poured through the pavitra (woolen filter) for purification.
- Purified Soma flows into the two collecting bowls (camū).
- Libations are offered to the gods (commonly Indra and others) with recitation/chant of Pavamāna verses.
- Remaining Soma is apportioned per ritual rules; blessings for strength, order, and prosperity are sought.
Offerings
- Purified Soma libations
- Ghee (as accompanying oblation in the broader rite)
- Grain cakes/oblations as prescribed in Soma rituals (contextual)
Frequently Asked Questions
It describes Soma being pressed, running through the woolen filter, filling the bowls, and becoming purified and powerful for offering in the sacrifice.
Pavamāna means “self-purifying.” The hymn focuses on Soma’s cleansing as he flows through the filter and is made fit for the gods.
It seeks strength and plenitude (vāja/śavas), clarity and truth-order (ṛta), and an uplifting, heaven-reaching power that supports heroic vitality in the worshipper.
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