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Rig Veda · 836 of 1027
Mandala 9: HYMN CXIII. Soma Pavamana.
1.LET Vṛtra-slaying Indra drink Soma by Śaryaṇāvān’s side, Storing up vigour in his heart, prepared to do heroic deeds. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
2.Lord of the Quarters, flow thou on, boon Soma, from Arjika land, Effused with ardour and with faith, and the true hymn of sacrifice. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
3.Hither hath Sūrya’s Daughter brought the wild Steer whom Parjanya nursed. Gandharvas have seized bold of him, and in the Soma laid the juice. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
4.Splendid by Law! declaring Law, truthspeaking, truthful in thy works, Enouncing faith, King Soma! thou, O Soma, whom thy maker decks. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
5.Together flow the meeting streams of him the Great and truly Strong. The juices of the juicy meet. Made pure by prayer, O Golden-hued, flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
6.O Pavamana, where the priest, as he recites the rhythmic prayer, Lords it o’er Soma with the stone, with Soma bringing forth delight, flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
7.O Pavamana, place me in that deathless, undecaying world Wherein the light of heaven is set, and everlasting lustre shines. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
8.Make me immortal in that realm where dwells the King, Vivasvān’s Son, Where is the secret shrine of heaven, where are those waters young and fresh. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
9.Make me immortal in that realm where they move even as they list, In the third sphere of inmost heaven where lucid worlds are full of light. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
10.Make me immortal in that realm of eager wish and strong desire, The region of the radiant Moon, where food and full delight are found. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake:
11.Make me immortal in that realm where happiness and transports, where Joys and felicities combine, and longing wishes are fulfilled. Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake.
Asked of Guide
Why does the hymn keep repeating “Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake” after each verse?
The refrain “Flow, Indu, flow for Indra’s sake” acts as a ritual anchor: it repeatedly petitions Soma (Indu) to pour its vital juice so Indra may gain vigour and perform heroic deeds, as line 1 says, “Storing up vigour in his heart.” The repetition happens because each stanza names a different power or goal — purity, law, immortality in various heavens — and the refrain returns the petition to the same practical act, pouring Soma into mythic effect.
The hymn treats Soma as causal: when the priest “lords it o’er Soma with the stone” (line 6), the drink becomes efficacy that grants immortality, delight, and cosmic order. This links to the broader Vedic view found elsewhere in the Rig Veda and in the Upanishads, where sacrificial action and sacred drink transform human status into divine reward.
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