Sukta 21
Sukta 9.21
Soma (as Pavamāna streams) with explicit relation to Indra
अयं संक्षिप्तः पवमानसूक्तः सोमधाराः स्तौति याः पवित्रं वेगेन प्रविश्य शुचयः दीप्ताः बलवन्तश्च भवन्ति, इन्द्रस्य च हर्षाय जयाय च योग्याः। मन्त्रेषु सोमस्य शोधकगतिḥ प्रकाश्यते, यया सः स्वर्लोकस्य ज्योतिः (स्वर्) तथा रत्नानि धनानि च जयति, तथा सतः (सत्यात्) प्रेरितां मतिं निष्पिपेषयति/प्रवर्तयति। यज्ञेऽन्तरर्थे च सूक्तं परिशुद्धं आनन्दं स्तौति—यः इन्द्रसदृशं बलं तेजस्विनं च ज्ञानं प्रेरयति।
Mantras
Mantra 1
एते धावन्तीन्दवः सोमा इन्द्राय घृष्वयः । मत्सरासः स्वर्विदः ॥
एते धावन्ति इन्दवः सोमाः इन्द्राय घृष्वयः। मत्सरासः स्वर्विदः—सूर्यलोकस्य प्रापका, अन्तःप्रकाशज्ञानस्य प्रकाशकाः।
Mantra 2
प्रवृण्वन्तो अभियुजः सुष्वये वरिवोविदः । स्वयं स्तोत्रे वयस्कृतः ॥
प्रवृण्वन्तोऽभियुजः सुष्वाये वरिवोविदः। स्वयमेव स्तोत्रे वयस्कृतः—सम्यक्छन्दसा सत्तायां प्राणवृद्धिं निर्मिमते।
Mantra 3
वृथा क्रीळन्त इन्दवः सधस्थमभ्येकमित् । सिन्धोरूर्मा व्यक्षरन् ॥
वृथाक्रीळन्त इन्दवः सधस्थमभ्येकमित् । सिन्धोरूर्मा व्यक्षरन् ॥
Mantra 4
एते विश्वानि वार्या पवमानास आशत । हिता न सप्तयो रथे ॥
एते विश्वानि वार्या पवमानास आशत । हिता न सप्तयो रथे ॥
Mantra 5
आस्मिन्पिशङ्गमिन्दवो दधाता वेनमादिशे । यो अस्मभ्यमरावा ॥
आस्मिन्पिशङ्गमिन्दवो दधाता वेनमादिशे । यो अस्मभ्यमरावा ॥
Mantra 6
ऋभुर्न रथ्यं नवं दधाता केतमादिशे । शुक्राः पवध्वमर्णसा ॥
ऋभुरिव रथ्यं नवं दधाता, केतमादिशे स्थापयत। शुक्राः, अर्णसा स्वयमेव पवध्वम्।
Mantra 7
एत उ त्ये अवीवशन्काष्ठां वाजिनो अक्रत । सतः प्रासाविषुर्मतिम् ॥
एते उ त्ये अवीवशन् काष्ठां; वाजिनो अक्रत। सतः प्रासाविषुर्मतिं—प्रकाशे प्रवाहयामासुः।
Inside Sukta 21
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens with the vivid image of Soma-drops rushing forward for Indra—ardent, pressing on, and capable of winning the sun-world (svar).
- Development
It develops Soma’s role as purifier and achiever of ‘all desirable treasures,’ moving in ordered power like well-yoked steeds that carry the sacrificer toward fulfillment.
- Climax
The peak revelation is that these potent streams drive to the goal and, from sat (the Real), press out and set flowing mati (inspired thought) into manifestation.
- Where it settles
It concludes by affirming successful attainment—Soma’s clarified force reaches its aim, empowering action and establishing luminous, truth-born inspiration.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna, explicitly related to Indra
- In the VedaSoma is praised as the flowing, self-clarifying draught—drops (indavaḥ) that run, shine, and become exhilarating (matsarāsaḥ), ‘finders of svar’ (svar-vid). As Pavamāna, Soma is the stream in motion through the filter, gaining brilliance and potency for the gods, especially Indra.
- Cosmic functionMediator between earth and heaven: through purification and offering, Soma strengthens Indra to overcome obstruction, release light, and secure prosperity; it also links sacrifice to cosmic order by turning pressed plant-essence into divine power.
- Inner significanceThe clarified Soma-stream symbolizes purified consciousness and delight that energizes the will (Indra) and opens luminous insight (svar). As it ‘presses out thought’ (mati) from sat, it images inspiration arising when the mind is filtered of turbulence and aligned to truth.
The seer
- Anukramaṇī attribution uncertain (Pavamāna Soma hymn; seer not securely identifiable)This sukta belongs to Mandala 9’s Pavamāna collection, where the ‘seer’ is often effectively the inspired Soma-poetry of the pressing tradition rather than a single clearly named ṛṣi for every hymn.
Famous verses
matsarāsaḥ svarvidaḥ
hitā na saptayo rathe
sataḥ prāsāviṣur matim
Attributes of the deity
- Purifying/clarifying (pavamāna)
- Swift-flowing streams and drops (indavaḥ)
- Intoxicating ecstasy and strength (matsara)
- Light-winning, ‘finder of svar’ (svar-vid)
- Treasure-bringing and fulfillment-bestowing
- Indra-empowering draught
- Source of inspired thought (mati) from the Real (sat)
Also by this seer
- Part of the RV Book 9 Pavamāna cycle used widely in Soma-pressing liturgy (pavamāna-stotras).
- Themes and diction overlap with other RV 9 hymns praising Soma’s purification, Indra-invigoration, and light-winning power.
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma (savana) and collect the juice.
- Filter/purify through wool or strainer (pavitra) as the streams run forth (pavamāna).
- Recite/chant the hymn during the flowing and clarification, inviting Soma’s brightness and Indra-strength.
- Mix with water/milk as prescribed and prepare libations.
- Offer Soma into the fire and/or to Indra with accompanying formulas and praises.
- Conclude with requests for light (svar), treasure, and victorious power.
Offerings
- Purified Soma juice (Soma-rasa)
- Water for dilution
- Milk/curds (as customary Soma admixture in many rites)
- Ghee and related oblations in the accompanying fire-offering context
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises the Soma juice as it flows through the filter (Pavamāna), becoming bright and powerful, especially to invigorate Indra and to win light (svar) and prosperity.
In Vedic ritual, Indra is a chief recipient of Soma. The hymn presents Soma as the energizing drink that strengthens Indra’s victorious force and helps overcome obstacles to light and abundance.
It poetically says that when Soma is purified, it symbolizes truth-based clarity: from the Real (sat) arises inspired thought (mati), which then ‘streams forth’ as effective insight and right action.
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