Sukta 42
Sukta 9.42
Soma Pavamāna (Hari)
अयं लघुः पवमानसोमसूक्तः हरिं सोमं स्तौति—यः पेष्यमाणः पवित्रेण च शोध्यमानः स्वर्गस्य दीप्तानि विवराणि जनयति, अपि च “अप्सु” सूर्यं जनयतीति वर्ण्यते। अत्र सोमस्य पवित्रेण निष्यन्दनं यज्ञकर्म ब्रह्माण्डीयप्रकाश-जीवनप्रदप्रवाहकर्मणा सह संबध्यते। अन्ते च यजमानानां कृते स्वयमेव शुद्धिं विधाय, विस्तीर्णं पोषणं, गवां वीराणां अश्वानां च दानं, बलं च प्रदातुं सोमः प्रार्थ्यते।
Mantras
Mantra 1
जनयन्रोचना दिवो जनयन्नप्सु सूर्यम् । वसानो गा अपो हरिः ॥
जनयन् रोचना दिवो जनयन्नप्सु सूर्यम्; हरिः वसानो गा अपः—रश्मिरूपाः गावो जलधाराश्च—दीप्तिं जीवनस्रोतसि संवृत्य प्रवर्तते।
Mantra 2
एष प्रत्नेन मन्मना देवो देवेभ्यस्परि । धारया पवते सुतः ॥
एषः प्रत्नेन मनसा देवो देवेभ्यः परि सञ्चरन् धारया पवते सुतः सोमः, अन्तःस्थितान् देवान् परिषेवमाणः।
Mantra 3
वावृधानाय तूर्वये पवन्ते वाजसातये । सोमाः सहस्रपाजसः ॥
वावृधानाय तूर्वये वाजसातये पवन्ते सोमाः; एते सहस्रपाजसः—सहस्रप्रभाशक्तयः।
Mantra 4
दुहानः प्रत्नमित्पयः पवित्रे परि षिच्यते । क्रन्दन्देवाँ अजीजनत् ॥
दुहानः प्रत्नमित् पयः पवित्रे परि सिच्यते; क्रन्दन् देवान् अजीजनत्—अन्तःस्थितान् देवान् प्रबोधयन्।
Mantra 5
अभि विश्वानि वार्याभि देवाँ ऋतावृधः । सोमः पुनानो अर्षति ॥
अभि विश्वानि वार्याणि, अभि देवान् ऋतावृधः—सोमः पुनानोऽर्षति।
Mantra 6
गोमन्नः सोम वीरवदश्वावद्वाजवत्सुतः । पवस्व बृहतीरिषः ॥
गोमन्नः सोम वीरवदश्वावद्वाजवत्सुतः । पवस्व बृहतीरिषः ॥
Inside Sukta 42
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Soma’s purification is portrayed as a creative act: he “brings to birth” the luminous realms of heaven and the sun within the waters.
- Development
The hymn develops the image of Soma as a flowing, tawny radiance clothed in rays and waters, whose ancient sweetness is milked out and poured into the purifier.
- Climax
At the height, Soma’s living movement and ‘cry’ is said to awaken/bring forth the gods—ritual sound and purified flow become divine generation.
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves in a direct request: Soma should purify himself for the worshippers and pour out vast nourishment—granting cattle, heroes, horses, and winning power.
The deity: Soma Pavamāna
- In the VedaSoma as “Pavamāna” is the pressed, flowing, self-purifying draught that runs through the woolen filter (pavitra), tawny (hari) in color, sweet as milk, and vocally celebrated as he “cries out” and quickens divine powers.
- Cosmic functionMediator between worlds: his purified flow sustains ṛta (cosmic order), invigorates the gods, and renews light and vitality in the cosmos, mirroring the sun’s emergence and the waters’ life-bearing power.
- Inner significanceThe clarified, upward-moving current of consciousness—purified speech and mind—where inner ‘light’ is born in the waters of life and the seeker is strengthened with expansive nourishment (iṣ) and vigor.
The seer
- Anukta (attributed to the Soma Pavamāna tradition)Many Mandala 9 hymns are preserved as liturgical songs for the Soma pressing; several are transmitted without a firmly named rishi, reflecting collective priestly composition and refinement within Soma ritual lineages.
Famous verses
janayan rocanā divo … janayann apsu sūryam
pavitre pari ṣicyate
pavasva bṛhatīr iṣaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Pavamāna (self-purifying, flowing)
- Hari (tawny/golden, radiant)
- Filtered through pavitra (woolen sieve)
- Sweet, milk-like essence (payaḥ)
- Life-giving, light-generating power
- Bestower of wealth: cattle, heroes, horses, strength
Also by this seer
- Connected with the broader Pavamāna corpus of Mandala 9 used in Soma pavitra (straining) rites
- Associated with the Udgatṛ/Hotṛ liturgical repertoire for Soma purification chants
The rite, step by step
- Press Soma stalks (savana) to extract the juice
- Mix/prepare with water (and customary additives as per śrauta practice)
- Strain through the pavitra (woolen filter) into collecting vessels
- Offer libations to the deities (notably Indra and the gods) while reciting/singing Pavamāna verses
- Distribute portions according to the rite; conclude with petitions for prosperity and strength
Offerings
- Pressed Soma juice (suta soma)
- Soma libations poured into the fire/offer-ladle sequence
- Water used in purification/flow
Frequently Asked Questions
The deity is Soma Pavamāna—Soma as the pressed and purified sacred drink, praised while it flows through the filter (pavitra).
It links the ritual purification of Soma with cosmic illumination: Soma is described as generating heavenly light and even the sun in the waters, and then is asked to grant prosperity and strength.
Because the verses accompany the Soma-pressing rite: Soma juice is extracted and strained through a woolen sieve, and this physical purification is poetically treated as a spiritual and cosmic cleansing that empowers gods and people.
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