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Pavamana Suktam (Punantu Mam) Meaning — Line by Line

पवमान सूक्तम् (पुनन्तु माम्)

Every verse and every word explained in English & Hindi

Meaning — Line by Line

Every verse of Pavamana Suktam (Punantu Mam) with its English meaning. Tap any word to hear it, or ▶ to recite the verse.

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  1. Verse 1. Om yadanti yachcha durake bhayam vindati mamiha;
  2. Verse 2. Pavamanah so adya nah pavitrena vicharshanih;
  3. Verse 3. Yatte pavitramarchishyagne vitatamantara;
  4. Verse 4. Yatte pavitramarchivadagne tena punihi nah;
  5. Verse 5. Ubhabhyam deva savitah pavitrena savena cha;
  6. Verse 6. Tribhishtvam deva savitarvarshishthaih soma dhamabhih;
  7. Verse 7. Punantu mam devajanah punantu vasavo dhiya;
  8. Verse 8. Om shantih shantih shantih.
Verse 1#

Om yadanti yachcha durake bhayam vindati mamiha;

यदन्ति यच्च दूरके भयं विन्दति मामिह। पवमान वि तज्जहि॥

Om yadanti yachcha durake bhayam vindati mamiha; Pavamana vi tajjahi.

MeaningOm. Whatever fear besets me — near at hand or far away — O Pavamana, drive it utterly away.

Verse 2#

Pavamanah so adya nah pavitrena vicharshanih;

पवमानः सो अद्य नः पवित्रेण विचर्षणिः। यः पोता पुनातु नः॥

Pavamanah so adya nah pavitrena vicharshanih; Yah pota sa punatu nah.

MeaningMay Pavamana, the all-discerning, purify us this day with his cleansing strainer; he who is the purifier, may he make us pure.

Verse 3#

Yatte pavitramarchishyagne vitatamantara;

यत्ते पवित्रमर्चिष्यग्ने विततमन्तरा। ब्रह्म तेन पुनीहि नः॥

Yatte pavitramarchishyagne vitatamantara; Brahma tena punihi nah.

MeaningThat purifying power, O Agni, which is spread within your flame — with that, purify us by the sacred word.

Verse 4#

Yatte pavitramarchivadagne tena punihi nah;

यत्ते पवित्रमर्चिवदग्ने तेन पुनीहि नः। ब्रह्मसवैः पुनीहि नः॥

Yatte pavitramarchivadagne tena punihi nah; Brahmasavaih punihi nah.

MeaningThat purifying, flaming power of yours, O Agni — with it purify us; purify us through the impulses of sacred knowledge.

Verse 5#

Ubhabhyam deva savitah pavitrena savena cha;

उभाभ्यां देव सवितः पवित्रेण सवेन च। मां पुनीहि विश्वतः॥

Ubhabhyam deva savitah pavitrena savena cha; Mam punihi vishvatah.

MeaningO divine Savitr, with both the purifier and the divine impulse, purify me on every side.

Verse 6#

Tribhishtvam deva savitarvarshishthaih soma dhamabhih;

त्रिभिष्ट्वं देव सवितर्वर्षिष्ठैः सोम धामभिः। अग्ने दक्षैः पुनीहि नः॥

Tribhishtvam deva savitarvarshishthaih soma dhamabhih; Agne dakshaih punihi nah.

MeaningWith your three loftiest states, O Savitr, O Soma, and with your powers, O Agni, purify us.

Verse 7#

Punantu mam devajanah punantu vasavo dhiya;

पुनन्तु मां देवजनाः पुनन्तु वसवो धिया। विश्वे देवाः पुनीत मा जातवेदः पुनीहि मा॥

Punantu mam devajanah punantu vasavo dhiya; Vishve devah punita ma jatavedah punihi ma.

MeaningMay the divine beings purify me; may the Vasus purify me through wisdom; O all you gods, purify me; O Jatavedas, purify me.

Verse 8#

Om shantih shantih shantih.

शान्तिः शान्तिः शान्तिः॥

Om shantih shantih shantih.

MeaningOm, peace, peace, peace.

Word-by-Word Breakdown

यत् अन्ति
yat anti
Whatever (fear) is near at hand
यत् च दूरके
yat cha durake
And whatever is far away
भयं विन्दति माम् इह
bhayam vindati mam iha
The fear that finds / afflicts me here
पवमान
Pavamana
O Pavamana (the ever-purifying, flowing Soma)
वि तत् जहि
vi tat jahi
Drive that (fear) away / destroy it
पवित्रेण विचर्षणिः
pavitrena vicharshanih
The all-seeing one, by his purifying strainer
यः पोता स पुनातु नः
yah pota sa punatu nah
He who is the purifier, may he purify us
पवित्रम् अर्चिषि अग्ने
pavitram archishi agne
O Agni, the purifying power in your flame
विततम् अन्तरा
vitatam antara
Spread out within / pervading throughout
ब्रह्म तेन पुनीहि नः
brahma tena punihi nah
Purify us by that sacred power / prayer
ब्रह्मसवैः
brahmasavaih
Through the impulses / inspirations of sacred knowledge
देव सवितः
deva savitah
O divine Savitr (the impeller, the Sun-god)
पवित्रेण सवेन च
pavitrena savena cha
By both the purifier and the (divine) impulse
मां पुनीहि विश्वतः
mam punihi vishvatah
Purify me from every side / completely
त्रिभिः वर्षिष्ठैः धामभिः
tribhih varshishthaih dhamabhih
By the three loftiest abodes / states
दक्षैः पुनीहि नः
dakshaih punihi nah
Purify us by (your) powers / skills
पुनन्तु मां देवजनाः
punantu mam devajanah
May the divine beings purify me
पुनन्तु वसवः धिया
punantu vasavah dhiya
May the Vasus purify me through (right) thought
विश्वे देवाः पुनीत मा
vishve devah punita ma
O all you gods (Vishvedevas), purify me
जातवेदः पुनीहि मा
jatavedah punihi ma
O Jatavedas (Agni, knower of all beings), purify me

Origin & History

Source: Rigveda, Mandala 9, Sukta 67 (verses 21-27)

Author: Rishi Pavitra Angirasa and the seers of the Soma-Pavamana hymns (traditional)

Period: c. 1500-1200 BCE

The ninth Mandala of the Rigveda is devoted entirely to Soma Pavamana — the sacred draught as it is pressed and purified through the woollen strainer. From this Mandala the closing verses of Sukta 67 form the 'Punantu Mam' hymn, in which the imagery of straining and purifying Soma becomes a prayer for the purification of the worshipper himself. Adopted across the Vedic ritual tradition, it is recited wherever inner and outer purity is sought — in bathing, atonement and the sealing of every sacred rite.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Pavamana Suktam?
It is a Vedic purification hymn from the Rigveda (9.67.21-27), popularly known by its refrain 'Punantu Mam' ('may they purify me'). It invokes Pavamana Soma, Agni, Savitr and the gods to cleanse the worshipper of fear and impurity.
What does 'Punantu Mam' mean?
'Punantu Mam' means 'May they purify me'. In the climactic verse the worshipper prays for the divine beings, the Vasus, all the gods and Jatavedas (Agni) to purify him completely — in body, mind and speech.
When is the Pavamana Suktam chanted?
It is chanted during sacred bathing, while sprinkling water for self-purification, in rites of atonement (prayaschitta), and at the conclusion of homas and pujas to sanctify and complete the ritual. Many recite it daily before worship.
Who is Pavamana?
'Pavamana' means 'the one being purified / the ever-flowing purifier' and refers to Soma as it is filtered and flows. By extension the hymn invokes the purifying power of Soma along with Agni, Savitr and all the gods.

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