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Rig Veda · 725 of 1027
Mandala 9: HYMN II. Soma Pavamana.
1.Soma, flow on, inviting Gods, speed to the purifying cloth: Pass into Indra, as a Bull.
2.As mighty food speed hitherward, Indu, as a most splendid Steer: Sit in thy place as one with strength.
3.The well-loved meath was made to flow, the stream of the creative juice ne Sage drew waters to himself.
4.The mighty waters, yea, the floods accompany thee Mighty One, When thou wilt clothe thee with the milk.
5.The lake is brightened in the floods. Soma, our Friend, heaven’s prop and stay, Falls on the purifying cloth.
6.The tawny Bull hath bellowed, fair as mighty Mitra to behold: He shines together with the Sun.
7.Songs, Indu, active in their might are beautified for thee, wherewith Thou deckest thee for our delight.
8.To thee who givest ample room we pray, to win the joyous draught: Great are the praise& due to thee.
9.Indu as, Indra’s Friend, on us pour with a stream of sweetness, like Parjanya sender of the rain.
10.Winner of kine, Indu, art thou, winner of heroes, steeds, and strength Primeval Soul of sacrifice.
Asked of Guide
Why does the hymn call Soma a bull and a steer so often?
The hymn uses bull and steer images to make Soma into a living, potent presence: “Pass into Indra, as a Bull” and “Indu, as a most splendid Steer” turn the drink into animal vigor that enters the god and empowers him. The bull imagery links Soma’s strength to fertility, wealth, and sacrificial power—the same clusters of meaning that bulls carry elsewhere in the Vedas.
The animal metaphors also stage a ritual transformation: Soma flows, is poured on the purifying cloth, and then reclothes Indra with milk and might, so the hymn records the sacrament’s effects as bodily and social uplift. This treatment parallels other Rig Veda hymns where ritual substances become gods—compare Mandala 8’s depictions of Agni as a living force that consumes and bestows.
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