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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 822 of 1027

Mandala 9: HYMN XCIX. Soma Pavamana.

1.THEY for the Bold and Lovely One ply manly vigour like a bow: joyous, in front of songs they weave bright raiment for the Lord Divine.

2.And he, made beautiful by night, dips forward into strengthening food’, What time the sacrificer’s thoughts speed on his way the Golden-hued.

3.We cleanse this gladdening drink of his the juice which Indra chiefly drinks—- That which kine took into their mouths, of old, and princes take it now.

4.To him, while purifying, they have raised the ancient psalm of praise: And sacred songs which bear the names of Gods have supplicated him.

5.They purify him as he drops, courageous, in the fleecy sieve. Him they instruct as messenger to bear the sage’s morning prayer.

6.Soma, best Cheerer, takes his seat, the while they cleanse him in the bowls. He as it were impregns the cow, and babbles on, the Lord of Song.

7.He is effused and beautified, a God for Gods, by skilful men. He penetrates the mighty floods collecting all he knows therein.

8.Pressed, Indu, guided by the men, thou art led to the cleaning sieve. Thou, yielding Indra highest joy, takest thy seat within the bowls.

Asked of Guide

Why do the priests keep cleansing and praising Soma so insistently in this hymn?

The hymn describes a ritual sequence where priests physically press and purify Soma—“they cleanse this gladdening drink”—and simultaneously raise ancient songs so Soma becomes “a God for Gods” and bearer of the sacrificer’s prayer. The repeated cleansing frames Soma’s transformation: the juice moves from animal mouths into bowls, is purified in the sieve, and by that work is consecrated and empowered to enliven Indra and the ritual.

This chapter treats purification as creative power: skilled men make Soma fit to “penetrate the mighty floods” and to “take his seat” as divine presence, so the ritual both composes a sacred substance and names it through song. Compare the Avestan Haoma hymns, which also pair preparation and praise to turn a plant-juice into a living deity supporting gods and worshippers.

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.