Sukta 78
Sukta 9.78
Soma Pavamāna
This short Pavamāna hymn praises Soma in the very act of purification: the “King” surges forward clothed in waters, seizing impurity and becoming fit for the gods’ offering-place. It links Soma’s cleansing to inspired speech, divine companionship, and the granting of wealth, wide “pasture” (gavyūti), and fearlessness, while asking him to strike enemies near and far.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र राजा वाचं जनयन्नसिष्यददपो वसानो अभि गा इयक्षति । गृभ्णाति रिप्रमविरस्य तान्वा शुद्धो देवानामुप याति निष्कृतम् ॥
राजा आगे बढ़ रहा है, शब्द निकाल रहा है। पानी में दख के चमक की तरफ दौड़ रहा है। वो गंदगी पकड़ के फेंक देता है। बिल्ली की तरह अपना बदन साफ करता है, भगवान के पास जाता है जहाँ पूजा का सामान रखा है।
Mantra 2
इन्द्राय सोम परि षिच्यसे नृभिर्नृचक्षा ऊर्मिः कविरज्यसे वने । पूर्वीर्हि ते स्रुतयः सन्ति यातवे सहस्रमश्वा हरयश्चमूषदः ॥
सोम, लोग तुम्हे इंद्र के लिए ढालते हैं। तुम पानी की लहर हो जो सब देख सकता है। तुम रिशि हो, जंगल में ढालते हो। तुम्हारी बहुत पुरानी धारें हैं आगे जाने के लिए। तुम्हारे हज़ार घोड़े हैं जो चमक रहे हैं और बड़े कटोरों में बैठे हैं।
Mantra 3
समुद्रिया अप्सरसो मनीषिणमासीना अन्तरभि सोममक्षरन् । ता ईं हिन्वन्ति हर्म्यस्य सक्षणिं याचन्ते सुम्नं पवमानमक्षितम् ॥
समुंदर से आई हुई अप्सराएं, अंदर बैठ के, सोम को सोचने वाले पे डालती हैं। वो उसे बड़े घर की तरफ ले जाते हैं जहां सब साथ में रहते हैं। वो साफ हो रहे सोम से ऐसी दुआ मांगते हैं जो कभी खत्म न हो।
Mantra 4
गोजिन्नः सोमो रथजिद्धिरण्यजित्स्वर्जिदब्जित्पवते सहस्रजित् । यं देवासश्चक्रिरे पीतये मदं स्वादिष्ठं द्रप्समरुणं मयोभुवम् ॥
हमारा सोम ऐसा चलता है जैसे जीता हो, गायों का धन जीता, रथ जीता, सोना जीता, आसमान की रोशनी जीता, पानी जीता, हज़ार चीज़ें जीता। देवताओं ने उसे इसलिए बनाया है कि लोग उसे पी सकें और खुश हो सकें। यह मीठा है, लाल रंग का, और खुशी देता है।
Mantra 5
एतानि सोम पवमानो अस्मयुः सत्यानि कृण्वन्द्रविणान्यर्षसि । जहि शत्रुमन्तिके दूरके च य उर्वीं गव्यूतिमभयं च नस्कृधि ॥
सोम, जब तुम साफ हो रहे हो, हमारे लिए यह सब सच करते हो और धन आने लगता है। दुश्मन को मार, चाहे पास हो या दूर हो। हमें ऐसा ज़मीन दे जहां हम डर के बिना रह सकें और हमारी धान भी सेफ रहे।
Inside Sukta 78
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma as the forward-rushing King who brings forth the Word and moves clothed in waters toward the radiant goal.
- Development
Purification imagery intensifies: Soma grips and removes impurity, becomes fit for the gods, and is supported by divine agencies (Apsarases) that ‘pour’ and impel him toward exalted companionship.
- Climax
The vision of Soma fully purified and empowered—source of undiminishing grace—ready for the gods and for the seer’s inspired mind.
- Where it settles
Practical boons are requested: make intentions true, let riches flow, destroy enemies near and far, and grant wide, radiant pasture and fearlessness.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaSoma as the self-purifying “King” who runs through the waters and the woolen filter, removes stain (ripra), becomes śuddha (pure), and approaches the gods at the prepared sacrificial place.
- Cosmic functionMediator and energizer of ṛta in the sacrifice: he purifies, invigorates gods and humans, releases riches, and supports victory and expansive well-being.
- Inner significanceThe refining of consciousness—purification of thought and speech, removal of inner ‘stain,’ and the arising of clear inspiration that can approach the ‘gods’ (higher faculties) within.
Famous verses
प्र राजा वाचं जनयन्नसिष्यददपो वसानो अभि गा इयक्षति । गृभ्णाति रिप्रमविरस्य तान्वा शुद्धो देवानामुप याति निष्कृतम् ॥समुद्रिया अप्सरसो मनीषिणमासीना अन्तरभि सोममक्षरन् । ता ईं हिन्वन्ति हर्म्यस्य सक्षणिं याचन्ते सुम्नं पवमानमक्षितम् ॥एतानि सोम पवमानो अस्मयुः सत्यानि कृण्वन्द्रविणान्यर्षसि । जहि शत्रुमन्तिके दूरके च य उर्वीं गव्यूतिमभयं च नस्कृधि ॥Attributes of the deity
- Pavamāna (self-purifying, flowing)
- Rājā (kingly, sovereign power)
- Śuddha (purity through filtration)
- Vāc-janayitṛ (bringer-forth of inspired speech)
- Wealth-giver and grace-bestower (draviṇa, sumná)
- Enemy-smiting protector (near and far)
Also by this seer
- General attribution to the Soma-Pavamāna hymn-cycle of Rig Veda Mandala 9 (multiple anonymous/uncertain seers in the tradition)
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks and mix the expressed juice with water (āpaḥ).
- Filter the Soma through wool/strainer (often symbolized by ‘sheep’ imagery) to ‘seize the stain’ and become śuddha.
- Collect the purified Soma in the vessel at the prepared offering-place (niṣkṛta).
- Accompany the flow with recitation, inviting inspiration (vāc) and divine favor (sumná).
- Offer libations to the gods; conclude with petitions for wealth, wide space/pasture, fearlessness, and victory over foes.
Offerings
- Purified Soma juice (pavamāna)
- Water used in purification
- Libations to the gods at the offering-place
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn praises Soma Pavamāna—Soma as he flows and purifies himself through water and the filter, becoming fit to be offered to the gods.
It means Soma is seen as a power that awakens inspired speech (vāc) and clear thought in the seer, especially during the purification and offering.
It asks Soma to make intentions true, to send riches, to defeat enemies near and far, and to grant a wide, radiant ‘pasture’ (gavyūti) along with fearlessness.
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