Sukta 36
Sukta 9.36
Soma Pavamāna
हे लघु पावमाना सूक्त सोमाचे स्तवन करते: पिळणीतून मुक्त होऊन तो लोकरच्या गाळणीत प्रवेश करतो आणि जुळ्या पात्रांत प्रवाहित होतो; शुद्ध होऊन देवांसाठी सामर्थ्यवान बनतो. ऋत (क्रमबद्ध सत्य) अनुसरणारा त्याचा सत्यशोधी प्रवाह, बळ वाढविणारी त्याची शक्ती, आणि स्वर्गलोकाकडे त्याची उन्नती यांचे मंत्र गौरव करतात; यजमानाला उत्साह, प्रकाश आणि वीरबल प्रदान करतात.
Mantras
Mantra 1
असर्जि रथ्यो यथा पवित्रे चम्वोः सुतः । कार्ष्मन्वाजी न्यक्रमीत् ॥
रथीप्रमाणे वेगाने मुक्त झालेला, पिळलेला सोम पवित्रात आणि दोन चमू (पात्रे) यांत प्रवेश करतो; बल-समृद्धीचा वाहक होऊन तो यज्ञाच्या कर्म-क्षेत्रात उतरून पाऊल टाकतो.
Mantra 2
स वह्निः सोम जागृविः पवस्व देववीरति । अभि कोशं मधुश्चुतम् ॥
हे सोम, वह्नि (वाहक-अग्नी) आणि जागृत—पवित्र होऊन प्रवाहित हो; देववीरत्वाच्या अवस्थेकडे पुढे जा; मधुरस झिरपणाऱ्या कोशा (पात्रा)कडे अभिमुख हो.
Mantra 3
स नो ज्योतींषि पूर्व्य पवमान वि रोचय । क्रत्वे दक्षाय नो हिनु ॥
हे पवमान, आमच्यासाठी प्राचीन ज्योती उजळवून प्रकट कर; क्रतु (सत्कर्माचा संकल्प) आणि दक्ष (प्रभावी विवेकशक्ती) यांकडे आम्हाला प्रेरित कर.
Mantra 4
शुम्भमान ऋतायुभिर्मृज्यमानो गभस्त्योः । पवते वारे अव्यये ॥
ऋताचा शोध घेणाऱ्यांनी अलंकृत, गभस्ति (हातांच्या किरणां)मध्ये परिशुद्ध—तो अव्यय वारे (अक्षय धारा) मध्ये प्रवाहित होतो.
Mantra 5
स विश्वा दाशुषे वसु सोमो दिव्यानि पार्थिवा । पवतामान्तरिक्ष्या ॥
तो सोम, पवमान होऊन, दाता (दाशुष) याला सर्व वसु प्रदान करो—दिव्य, पार्थिव, आणि अंतरिक्षीय (प्राण-लोकातील) संपत्ती.
Mantra 6
आ दिवस्पृष्ठमश्वयुर्गव्ययुः सोम रोहसि । वीरयुः शवसस्पते ॥
हे सोम, अश्व-शक्तीची इच्छा धरून, गव्य-तेजाची इच्छा धरून, तू दिवःपृष्ठावर आरोहण करतोस; वीर-शक्तीची इच्छा धरून—हे शवसस्पति, बलाचा स्वामी.
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
- In the VedaSoma as the self-purifying, pressed draught that runs through the pavitra (filter), shining as it is cleansed by hands and wool, and becoming fit for the gods.
- 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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