Sukta 2
Sukta 9.2
Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for portions of RV 9.2; Soma Pavamāna context)
Soma Pavamāna (Soma in the act of purification), with explicit linkage to Indra
Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables typical for many Pavamāna verses)
ऋग्वेदस्य ९.२ सूक्तं सोमपवमानस्य स्तुतिरस्ति। अत्र द्रष्टा सोमं पवित्रेण स्रवितुं प्रेरयति, यथा सः शुचिर्भास्वरः तेजस्वी च भूत्वा हविषे योग्यः स्यात्। शुद्ध्यमानः सोमः “इन्द्रं प्रविश” इति निमन्त्र्यते, येन दैवी वीर्यं जयः च यज्ञकर्म च प्रवर्धते। अन्ते सूक्तं सोमं यज्ञस्य पुरातनं अन्तरात्मानं स्तौति—स एव सारा शक्तिः या हविर्दानं सफलं करोति।
Mantras
Mantra 1
पवस्व देववीरति पवित्रं सोम रंह्या । इन्द्रमिन्दो वृषा विश ॥
पवस्व देववीरति पवित्रं सोम रंह्या; इन्द्रम् इन्दो वृषा विश।
Mantra 2
आ वच्यस्व महि प्सरो वृषेन्दो द्युम्नवत्तमः । आ योनिं धर्णसिः सदः ॥
आ वच्यस्व महत् प्सरः, वृषेन्दो द्युम्नवत्तमः। आ योनिं धर्णसिः सदः अस्मासु निषीद।
Mantra 3
अधुक्षत प्रियं मधु धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । अपो वसिष्ट सुक्रतुः ॥
अधुक्षत प्रियं मधु धारा सुतस्य वेधसः। हे वसिष्ठ, सुक्रतुरापः तन्माधुर्यमस्मासु वहन्ति पवयन्ति च।
Mantra 4
महान्तं त्वा महीरन्वापो अर्षन्ति सिन्धवः । यद्गोभिर्वासयिष्यसे ॥
महान्तं त्वा महीरन्वापो अर्षन्ति सिन्धवः। यद् गोभिर्वासयिष्यसे तदा।
Mantra 5
समुद्रो अप्सु मामृजे विष्टम्भो धरुणो दिवः । सोमः पवित्रे अस्मयुः ॥
समुद्रोऽप्सु मामृजे, विष्टम्भो धरुणो दिवः। सोमः पवित्रे अस्मयुः॥
Mantra 6
अचिक्रदद्वृषा हरिर्महान्मित्रो न दर्शतः । सं सूर्येण रोचते ॥
अचिक्रदद्वृषा हरिर्महान्मित्रो न दर्शतः। सं सूर्येण रोचते॥
Mantra 7
गिरस्त इन्द ओजसा मर्मृज्यन्ते अपस्युवः । याभिर्मदाय शुम्भसे ॥
गिरस्त इन्द ओजसा मर्मृज्यन्ते अपस्युवः। याभिर्मदाय शुम्भसे॥
Mantra 8
तं त्वा मदाय घृष्वय उ लोककृत्नुमीमहे । तव प्रशस्तयो महीः ॥
हे घृष्वन् लोककृत्नु! मदार्थं वयं त्वामेव ईमहे। तव प्रशस्तयो महीयस्यः; यतो हि तव आनन्दः अस्मासु पूर्णां सुव्यवस्थितां सृष्टिं निर्मिमीत इव।
Mantra 9
अस्मभ्यमिन्दविन्द्रयुर्मध्वः पवस्व धारया । पर्जन्यो वृष्टिमाँ इव ॥
अस्मभ्यं हे इन्दो, इन्द्रयुः, मध्वः धारया पवस्व। पर्जन्यो वृष्टिमानिव; आनन्दः पोषणशक्तिरूपेण अवतरतु, अन्तर्वृद्धिं वर्धयतु।
Mantra 10
गोषा इन्दो नृषा अस्यश्वसा वाजसा उत । आत्मा यज्ञस्य पूर्व्यः ॥
हे इन्दो, त्वं गोषा, नृषा, अश्वसा, वाजसश्च। त्वं यज्ञस्य पूर्व्य आत्मा—अन्तःसारः, यः अन्तर्हविं प्रभावयति।
Inside Sukta 2
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct imperative to Soma: flow beyond the sieve into swift, luminous motion, and enter Indra as invigorating power (RV 9.2.1).
- Development
Soma’s purifying passage is portrayed as the emergence of radiant strength—tawny, mighty, friend-like—shining in consonance with the Sun and with ṛta-like clarity (cf. RV 9.2.6).
- Climax
Soma’s identity expands from ritual drink to cosmic-psychic force: giver of rays, manhood, speed, and power, the very life of the sacrificial act.
- Where it settles
The hymn seals its praise by naming Soma the ancient Self of the yajña (ātmā yajñasya pūrvyaḥ), affirming that purified delight is the hidden efficacy within worship (RV 9.2.10).
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaSoma is the pressed and living draught that “flows” and is “purified” through the sieve, becoming radiant, tawny, and sun-like; he is addressed as Indu (the drop) and as a bull of power who exhilarates Indra.
- Cosmic functionTransforms raw vitality into luminous strength: as the purifying current, Soma supports ṛta (truth-order), feeds the gods, and energizes Indra for world-protecting victory.
- Inner significanceThe refining of consciousness—desire and life-force clarified into joy, clarity, and victorious will; the ‘filtered’ delight that can enter and strengthen the higher power (Indra) within.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (one of the Saptaṛṣi lineages) · Foremost among Vedic seers; renowned for spiritual authority, kingship-counsel, and hymns of harmony (notably the Mitra–Varuṇa vision).
Famous verses
pavasva … ati pavitram
saṃ sūryeṇa rocate
ātmā yajñasya pūrvyaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Purifying flow (pavamāna) through the pavitra
- Luminous, sun-allied radiance
- Bull-like potency and exhilaration
- Friendliness/beneficence (pleasant to behold, ‘like a friend’)
- Yajña’s inner essence (ātmā yajñasya)
- Bestower of rays, manly force, speed, and plenitude (goṣā, nṛṣā, aśvasā, vājasā)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rigveda Maṇḍala 7 traditionally attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his clan
- Hymns to Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, Indra, and the Vasiṣṭha family corpus
- Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with Dharma-teaching and royal priesthood (purohita) roles
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma plant and collect the expressed juice
- Filter the juice through the pavitra (wool/strainer) while chanting Gāyatrī pavamāna verses
- Mix/season according to rite (commonly with water and sometimes milk/curd) and clarify the flow
- Offer libations to Indra (and associated deities) in the fire, inviting strength and victory
- Distribute/partake according to ritual protocol, sealing the rite with praise and intention
Offerings
- Filtered Soma (Indu) libations
- Ghee (as accompanying oblation in the fire ritual context)
- Water used in purification; milk/curd admixture where prescribed
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Soma while he is being filtered and purified, asking him to become radiant and powerful, and to strengthen Indra and the sacrificer’s victorious energy.
In Vedic ritual language, Soma is the invigorating drink that empowers Indra; symbolically, purified delight and clarity feed the higher will that overcomes obstacles.
It means “the ancient Self of the sacrifice”: Soma is portrayed as the innermost essence that makes the offering effective—both ritually as Soma-juice and inwardly as purified spiritual force.
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