Sukta 78
Sukta 9.78
Himne Pavamāna yang ringkas ini memuji Soma dalam saat penyucian itu sendiri: “Raja” meluru ke hadapan berselubung air, merenggut kenajisan dan menjadi layak bagi tempat persembahan para dewa. Ia mengaitkan pembersihan Soma dengan ucapan yang terilham, persahabatan ilahi, serta penganugerahan kekayaan, “padang ragut” (gavyūti) yang luas, dan ketakutan yang lenyap; sambil memohon agar ia menumpaskan musuh yang dekat dan yang jauh.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र राजा वाचं जनयन्नसिष्यददपो वसानो अभि गा इयक्षति । गृभ्णाति रिप्रमविरस्य तान्वा शुद्धो देवानामुप याति निष्कृतम् ॥
Maju bergerak Sang Raja, melahirkan Sabda; ia meluru, berselimut Air, dan menghala ke Sinar-sinar. Ia merampas noda; sebagai Domba (pemurni) dengan tubuhnya, ia menjadi suci lalu mendekati tempat persembahan para dewa yang telah disediakan.
Mantra 2
इन्द्राय सोम परि षिच्यसे नृभिर्नृचक्षा ऊर्मिः कविरज्यसे वने । पूर्वीर्हि ते स्रुतयः सन्ति यातवे सहस्रमश्वा हरयश्चमूषदः ॥
Wahai Soma, untuk Indra engkau dicurahkan sekeliling, oleh daya-daya insan; sebagai gelombang yang bermata-penglihatan manusia, sebagai kavi (resi-penyair) engkau disapukan di rimba—di tempat pemerasan. Sesungguhnya banyak aliranmu yang purba untuk perjalanan; seribu kuda cemerlangmu, para Hari, bersemayam di mangkuk persembahan, mengusung kekuatan ke hadapan.
Mantra 3
समुद्रिया अप्सरसो मनीषिणमासीना अन्तरभि सोममक्षरन् । ता ईं हिन्वन्ति हर्म्यस्य सक्षणिं याचन्ते सुम्नं पवमानमक्षितम् ॥
Apsaras yang lahir dari samudra, duduk di dalam, telah mencurahkan Soma kepada sang pemikir. Mereka menggerakkannya menuju persekutuan di rumah yang tinggi; mereka memohon daripada Soma yang memurnikan kurnia yang tidak susut.
Mantra 4
गोजिन्नः सोमो रथजिद्धिरण्यजित्स्वर्जिदब्जित्पवते सहस्रजित् । यं देवासश्चक्रिरे पीतये मदं स्वादिष्ठं द्रप्समरुणं मयोभुवम् ॥
Soma kami mengalir sebagai pemenang sinar-sinar, pemenang kereta kemajuan, pemenang kelimpahan emas, pemenang alam bercahaya, pemenang perairan, pemenang seribu daya. Dialah yang para dewa bentuk untuk diminum sebagai ekstasi—titis paling manis, kemerah-merahan oleh daya fajar, pembawa kesejahteraan.
Mantra 5
एतानि सोम पवमानो अस्मयुः सत्यानि कृण्वन्द्रविणान्यर्षसि । जहि शत्रुमन्तिके दूरके च य उर्वीं गव्यूतिमभयं च नस्कृधि ॥
Wahai Soma yang sedang memurnikan diri, yang menginginkan kami—segala ini Engkau jadikan benar, dan Engkau mengalirkan kekayaan. Tumpaskanlah musuh, yang dekat dan yang jauh; dan jadikan bagi kami padang ragut sinar yang luas, serta keadaan yang bebas daripada takut.
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
- 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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