Rig Veda Sukta 37
Mandala 9Sukta 376 Mantras

Sukta 37

Sukta 9.37

Himne Pavamāna yang ringkas ini memuji Soma ketika ia baru diperah dan meluru melalui penapis (pavitra) menuju ke dalam tong-tong, layak diminum oleh para dewa. Soma diraikan sebagai penyuci ilahi pembawa kebenaran yang mematahkan kuasa-kuasa bermusuhan (rakṣas) dan, dalam persekutuan dengan daya-daya bercahaya yang sejenis, menzahirkan cahaya—hingga memuncak pada anugerahnya yang membangkitkan tenaga kepada Indra.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.37

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna

    Soma as the ‘purifying’ (pavamāna) pressed draught who streams through the woolen filter, shining and life-giving, sought by the gods and hostile to darkness and obstruction.

Mantras

Mantra 1

स सुतः पीतये वृषा सोमः पवित्रे अर्षति । विघ्नन्रक्षांसि देवयुः ॥

Diperas untuk diminum, Soma yang perkasa meluru melalui penapis, pencari para dewa; ia memecah-belahkan kuasa-kuasa penghalang dan bala kegelapan.

Mantra 2

स पवित्रे विचक्षणो हरिरर्षति धर्णसिः । अभि योनिं कनिक्रदत् ॥

Di dalam penapis (pavitra) ia yang berwawasan—Soma yang kuning keemasan (hari)—menerpa dengan daya yang menegakkan; sambil berseru nyaring ia menuju yoni-nya, sumber dan tempat menetapnya.

Mantra 3

स वाजी रोचना दिवः पवमानो वि धावति । रक्षोहा वारमव्ययम् ॥

Soma itu, pembawa daya-kelimpahan (vaji), ketika memurnikan diri (pavamana), berlari menembusi alam-alam bercahaya di langit; pembunuh kuasa-kuasa kegelapan (rakṣo-hā), ia memasuki kepungan yang tidak binasa (avyaya).

Mantra 4

स त्रितस्याधि सानवि पवमानो अरोचयत् । जामिभिः सूर्यं सह ॥

Ia, Soma yang memurnikan, menyalakan sinar di rabung Trita; bersama kuasa-kuasa seketurunan (jāmi), ia menzahirkan Surya—Matahari.

Mantra 5

स वृत्रहा वृषा सुतो वरिवोविददाभ्यः । सोमो वाजमिवासरत् ॥

Dialah pembunuh Vṛtra, Sang Banteng perkasa yang diperah, penemu jalan yang luas bagi para pemuja; Soma yang tidak terkalahkan itu mengalir deras laksana kelimpahan itu sendiri.

Mantra 6

स देवः कविनेषितोऽभि द्रोणानि धावति । इन्दुरिन्द्राय मंहना ॥

Dialah dewa, didorong oleh kebijaksanaan Sang Ṛṣi, berlari menuju tong-tong; Indu, titisan yang bercahaya itu, segera menuju Indra, membawa daya pertambahan.

Inside Sukta 37

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma, freshly pressed for drinking, surges through the filter as a powerful, god-seeking force that shatters dark and obstructive powers.

  2. Development

    The hymn intensifies Soma’s role as purifier and illuminator—his flow is not merely physical but a movement toward light, order, and divine manifestation.

  3. Climax

    Soma ‘kindles the shining forth’ and brings the Sun to manifestation with allied powers (the Trita motif), presenting Soma as a cosmic revealer of light.

  4. Where it settles

    The purified drop runs to the vats, destined for Indra, carrying increase and strengthening—ending in the practical ritual goal and its promised boon.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and illumination: he clarifies and strengthens the gods (especially Indra), drives away demonic/obstructive forces, and participates in the manifestation of solar light and ṛta (cosmic order).
  • Inner significanceThe clarified mind/essence: the soul’s nectar or inspired consciousness purified through discipline, removing inner ‘rakṣas’ (confusion, lethargy, negativity) and empowering decisive spiritual will.

Famous verses

vighnan rakṣāṃsi
Verse 9.37.1Sets the hymn’s core image: Soma pressed for drinking, rushing through the filter, and actively destroying rakṣas/obstructions—linking ritual purification with protection.Read verse 9.37.1 →
स त्रितस्याधि सानवि पवमानो अरोचयत् । जामिभिः सूर्यं सह ॥
Verse 9.37.4Cosmic peak: Soma as illuminator who helps manifest the Sun, using the evocative ‘ridge of Trita’ motif that ties Soma to ancient mythic geography and revelation of light.Read verse 9.37.4 →
indur indrāya
Verse 9.37.6Concludes with the ritual destination and purpose: Soma, urged by seer-wisdom, runs to the vats as Indu for Indra, bearing increase—explicitly connecting Soma’s flow to Indra’s empowerment.Read verse 9.37.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifier through the filter (pavitra)
  • Luminous/bright drop (indu)
  • Breaker of obstruction (vighnan rakṣāṃsi)
  • God-seeking (devayú)
  • Bestower of increase and strength (maṃhanā)
  • Allied with Indra and solar manifestation

Also by this seer

  • General attribution to the Soma Pavamāna corpus of Maṇḍala 9 (hymns used in Soma pressing and purification rites)

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma (savana) and collect the expressed juice
  • Run the juice through the pavitra (woolen filter) for clarification
  • Let the purified Soma flow into the vats (droṇa/kalasha)
  • Recite/chant Pavamāna verses to consecrate and empower the flow
  • Offer portions into the fire and present Soma for the gods’ drinking, prominently for Indra
  • Conclude with prayers for protection, light, and increase (strength/abundance)

Offerings

  • Purified Soma juice (pavamāna)
  • Ghee and ancillary oblations (as part of the broader Soma-yajña)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma as he is pressed and purified through the filter, describing him as a shining power that removes darkness and obstruction and becomes fit for the gods’ drinking.

In Vedic thought, purification is also protection: as Soma clarifies, he symbolically and ritually drives away harmful influences—outer enemies and inner confusion alike.

The hymn ends by sending the bright drop (Indu) toward the vats ‘for Indra,’ because Indra is a primary recipient of Soma and is strengthened by it for victory and increase.

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