Listen

Dhammapada · narration sample

A one-minute narration sample. Every book in the library is narrated end to end — hear the rest in the app.

Rig Veda · 813 of 1027

Mandala 9: HYMN XC. Soma Pavamana.

1.URGED On, the Father of the Earth and Heaven hath gone forth like a car to gather booty, Going to Indra, sharpening his weapons, and in his hand containing every treasure.

2.To him the tones of sacred song have sounded, Steer of the triple height, the Life-bestower. Dwelling in wood as Varuṇa in rivers, lavishing treasure he distributes blessings

3.Great Conqueror, warnor-girt, Lord of all heroes, flow on thy way as he who winneth riches; With sharpened. arms, with swift bow, never vanquished in battle, vanquishing in fight the foemen.

4.Giving security, Lord of wide dominion, send us both earth and heaven with all their fulness. Striving to win the Dawns, the light, the waters, and cattle, call to us abundant vigour.

5.O Soma, gladden Varuṇa and Mitra; cheer, Indu Pavamana! Indra, Viṣṇu. Cheer thou the Gods, the Company of Maruts: Indu, cheer mighty Indra to rejoicing.

6.Thus like a wise and potent King flow onward, destroying with thy vigour all misfortunes. For our well-spoken hymn give life, O Indu. Do ye preserve us evermore with blessings.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Soma both “Pavamana” and “Indu” repeatedly?

The chapter treats Soma as the purifying, enlivening deity: Pavamana means “purifying” or “flowing,” so the juice is invoked as a moving, sanctifying power that “gladden[s] Varuṇa and Mitra.” Calling Soma Indu emphasizes its role as a life-bestower and celebrant, a divine draught that makes gods and ritualists rejoice.

Those names map onto actions in the hymn: Pavamana as the sacrificial stream that “flow onward, destroying… misfortunes,” and Indu as the energizing prize that sharpens weapons and bestows treasure. This pairing echoes other Vedic hymns where Soma’s movement and its gift-like quality appear together, as in parts of Mandala 8 where Soma’s flowing and granting aspects are tightly linked.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.