Dashati 16
Pavamāna Soma’s purifying flow aligned with the dawning of the rite
Soma Pavamāna
Bright forward-moving and purificatory—suited to morning freshness and the quickening of the sacrifice
Ṛṣi attribution is not provided in the input; this dashati is treated here by thematic and ritual markers (Pavamāna/Uṣas linkage) rather than by a fixed family assignment.
Directly applicable to Soma being purified through the pavitra and prepared for offering (pavamāna state; indavaḥ as expressed drops)
Mantras
Mantra 1
एता उ त्या उषसः केतुमक्रत पूर्वे अर्धे रजसो भानुमञ्जते निष्कृण्वाना आयुधानीव धृष्णवः प्रति गावो ऽरुषीर्यन्ति मातरः
These very Dawns have made their signal; in the former region of the firmament they array their radiance: bold, as if drawing forth weapons, the ruddy cows, the mothers, come onwards.
Mantra 2
उदपप्तन्नरुणा भानवो वृथा स्वायुजो अरुषीर्गा अयुक्षत अक्रन्नुषासो वयुनानि पूर्वथा रुशन्तं भानुमरुषीरशिश्रयुः
Up sprang the ruddy splendours; well-yoked, they yoked the ruddy cows: the Dawns have performed their ordinances as of old; the ruddy ones have diffused the shining radiance.
Mantra 3
अर्चन्ति नारीरपसो न विष्टिभिः समानेन योजनेना परावतः इषं वहन्तीः सुकृते सुदानवे विश्वेदह यजमानाय सुन्वते
They shine, the maidens, with their works, as with companies; with one and the same yoking they come from afar, bearing nourishment to the well-doer, the liberal giver—every day—to the sacrificing Soma-presser.
Frequently Asked Questions
It links two purifying beginnings: Soma becoming clear through filtration and Dawn (Uṣas) lighting the world—together marking the right time and order (ṛta) for the morning rite.
Soma is the ritual drink being prepared and offered, while Uṣas provides the ‘signal’ of morning and the spread of light—so the sacrifice begins at the proper moment and bears nourishment for the sacrificer.
It fits the morning Soma context: chants accompany Soma’s purification (pavamāna) and frame the start of pressing and offering, sung by the Sāmavedic singers (Udgātṛ group).