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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 227 of 1027

Mandala 2: HYMN XXXVI Various Gods.

1.WATER and milk hath he endued, sent forth to thee: the men have drained him with the filters and the stones. Drink, Indra, from the Hotar’s bowl—first right is thine—Soma hallowed and poured with Vaṣaṭ and Svāhā.

2.Busied with sacrifice, with spotted deer and spears, gleaming upon your way with ornaments, yea, our Friends, Sitting on sacred grass, ye Sons of Bhārata, drink Soma from the Potar’s bowl, O Men of heaven.

3.Come unto us, ye swift to listen: as at home upon the sacred grass sit and enjoy yourselves. And, Tvaṣṭar, well-content be joyful in the juice with Gods and Goddesses in gladsome company.

4.Bring the Gods hither, Sage, and offer sacrifice: at the three altars seat thee willingly, O Priest. Accept for thy delight the proffered Soma meath: drink from the Kindler’s bowl and fill thee with thy share.

5.This is the strengthener of thy body’s manly might: strength, victory for all time are placed within thine arms. Pressed for thee, Maghavan, it is offered unto thee: drink from the chalice of this Brahman, drink thy fill.

6.Accept the sacrifice; mark both of you, my call: the Priest hath seated him after the ancient texts. My prayer that bids them come goes forth to both the Kings: drink ye the Soma meath from the Director’s bowl.

Asked of Guide

Why does every stanza keep urging the gods and priests to 'drink from the bowl' of Soma?

The hymn stages a communal rite where Soma physically binds gods, priests, and worshippers: repeated invitations to “drink from the bowl” mark the ritual act that shares vitality and sanction across parties. The text names roles—Hotar, Potar, Kindler, Director—and gives each their proper chalice so the offering circulates authority and strength, promising “strength, victory” when pressed for Maghavan.

This chapter treats the cup as the hinge between heavenly and human spheres; drinking is how the sacred juice is realized and accepted. Compare the Rig Veda hymn to later Brhad-aranyaka and Śatapatha passages that treat sacrificial ingestion as transfer of power and cosmic ordering through named priests and prescribed vessels.

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