Rig Veda Sukta 2
Mandala 9Sukta 210 Mantras

Sukta 2

Sukta 9.2

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for portions of RV 9.2; Soma Pavamāna context)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables typical for many Pavamāna verses)

RV 9.2 ist ein Soma-Pavamāna-Hymnus, in dem der Seher Soma drängt, durch das Sieb (pavitra) zu strömen, hellglänzend, kraftvoll und opferwürdig zu werden. Während Soma gereinigt wird, wird er eingeladen, „in Indra einzutreten“, um göttlichen Heldenmut, Sieg und das Opferwerk zu stärken. Der Hymnus gipfelt im Lob Somās als des uralten inneren Selbst des yajña, als der wesentlichen Macht, die die Darbringung wirksam macht.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.2

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna (Soma in the act of purification), with explicit linkage to Indra

    Soma is the pressed and living draught that “flows” and is “purified” through the sieve, becoming radiant, tawny, and sun-like; he is addressed as Indu (the drop) and as a bull of power who exhilarates Indra.

Mantras

Mantra 1

पवस्व देववीरति पवित्रं सोम रंह्या । इन्द्रमिन्दो वृषा विश ॥

Ströme, o Soma, zur göttlichen Heldenkraft; durch das Sieb ströme eilends. Geh ein in Indra, o Indu, o Stier.

Mantra 2

आ वच्यस्व महि प्सरो वृषेन्दो द्युम्नवत्तमः । आ योनिं धर्णसिः सदः ॥

Werde ausgesprochen, tritt hervor, o mächtiger Ausstrom; o stierhafter Indu, am reichsten an leuchtender Kraft. Nimm Platz im Schoß, im fest gegründeten Haus des Ritus (sádas) in uns.

Mantra 3

अधुक्षत प्रियं मधु धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । अपो वसिष्ट सुक्रतुः ॥

Sie haben den geliebten Honig gemolken: die Ströme des gepressten Soma für den weisen Ordner (vedhás). O Vasiṣṭha, die Wasser, von gutem, einsichtsvollen Willen (sukrátu) geleitet, tragen und klären diese Süße in uns.

Mantra 4

महान्तं त्वा महीरन्वापो अर्षन्ति सिन्धवः । यद्गोभिर्वासयिष्यसे ॥

Die großen Wasser, die mächtigen Ströme, fließen dir nach, o Weit-Großer, wenn du mit den Strahlen der Erleuchtung bekleidet werden sollst — wenn Wonne in lichtgestaltete Formen des Wissens gehüllt ist.

Mantra 5

समुद्रो अप्सु मामृजे विष्टम्भो धरुणो दिवः । सोमः पवित्रे अस्मयुः ॥

Der Ozean in den Wassern wird geläutert; die weithin tragende Stütze, der Halter des Himmels — Soma im Läuterer, auf uns gerichtet.

Mantra 6

अचिक्रदद्वृषा हरिर्महान्मित्रो न दर्शतः । सं सूर्येण रोचते ॥

Es hat aufgeschrien der mächtige Stier, der falbe Hari — groß, wie ein Freund, lieblich zu schauen; er leuchtet im Einklang mit der Sonne.

Mantra 7

गिरस्त इन्द ओजसा मर्मृज्यन्ते अपस्युवः । याभिर्मदाय शुम्भसे ॥

Deine Worte, o Indu, werden durch Kraft geläutert — werkbegierig, auf die Tat aus; durch sie schmückst du dich zur Trunkenheit (mada).

Mantra 8

तं त्वा मदाय घृष्वय उ लोककृत्नुमीमहे । तव प्रशस्तयो महीः ॥

Dich suchen wir zur Wonne, o flammend-Glühender, du Schöpfer der ganzen Welten; groß sind deine Lobpreisungen.

Mantra 9

अस्मभ्यमिन्दविन्द्रयुर्मध्वः पवस्व धारया । पर्जन्यो वृष्टिमाँ इव ॥

Für uns, o Indu, nach Indra verlangend, ströme als Honig in stetigem Strom — wie Parjanya, reich an Regen.

Mantra 10

गोषा इन्दो नृषा अस्यश्वसा वाजसा उत । आत्मा यज्ञस्य पूर्व्यः ॥

O Indu, du bist der Spender von Rinderreichtum, der Spender von Männern, der Spender von Rossen, der Spender von Kraft; du bist der uralte Ātman des Opfers.

Inside Sukta 2

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct imperative to Soma: flow beyond the sieve into swift, luminous motion, and enter Indra as invigorating power (RV 9.2.1).

  2. Development

    Soma’s purifying passage is portrayed as the emergence of radiant strength—tawny, mighty, friend-like—shining in consonance with the Sun and with ṛta-like clarity (cf. RV 9.2.6).

  3. Climax

    Soma’s identity expands from ritual drink to cosmic-psychic force: giver of rays, manhood, speed, and power, the very life of the sacrificial act.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn seals its praise by naming Soma the ancient Self of the yajña (ātmā yajñasya pūrvyaḥ), affirming that purified delight is the hidden efficacy within worship (RV 9.2.10).

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • Cosmic functionTransforms raw vitality into luminous strength: as the purifying current, Soma supports ṛta (truth-order), feeds the gods, and energizes Indra for world-protecting victory.
  • Inner significanceThe refining of consciousness—desire and life-force clarified into joy, clarity, and victorious will; the ‘filtered’ delight that can enter and strengthen the higher power (Indra) within.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (one of the Saptaṛṣi lineages) · Foremost among Vedic seers; renowned for spiritual authority, kingship-counsel, and hymns of harmony (notably the Mitra–Varuṇa vision).

Famous verses

pavasva … ati pavitram
Verse 9.2.1Sets the program of the whole sukta: Soma’s purification through the pavitra and his deliberate entry into Indra to awaken victorious divine force.Read verse 9.2.1 →
saṃ sūryeṇa rocate
Verse 9.2.6A vivid image of Soma’s awakened power and beauty—mighty, tawny, and ‘friend-like’—culminating in his shining union with the Sun (truth-light symbolism).Read verse 9.2.6 →
ātmā yajñasya pūrvyaḥ
Verse 9.2.10Doctrinal summit: Soma is praised not only as giver of boons but as the ‘ancient Self of the sacrifice,’ expressing the inner essence behind ritual efficacy.Read verse 9.2.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying flow (pavamāna) through the pavitra
  • Luminous, sun-allied radiance
  • Bull-like potency and exhilaration
  • Friendliness/beneficence (pleasant to behold, ‘like a friend’)
  • Yajña’s inner essence (ātmā yajñasya)
  • Bestower of rays, manly force, speed, and plenitude (goṣā, nṛṣā, aśvasā, vājasā)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Rigveda Maṇḍala 7 traditionally attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his clan
  • Hymns to Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, Indra, and the Vasiṣṭha family corpus
  • Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with Dharma-teaching and royal priesthood (purohita) roles

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma plant and collect the expressed juice
  • Filter the juice through the pavitra (wool/strainer) while chanting Gāyatrī pavamāna verses
  • Mix/season according to rite (commonly with water and sometimes milk/curd) and clarify the flow
  • Offer libations to Indra (and associated deities) in the fire, inviting strength and victory
  • Distribute/partake according to ritual protocol, sealing the rite with praise and intention

Offerings

  • Filtered Soma (Indu) libations
  • Ghee (as accompanying oblation in the fire ritual context)
  • Water used in purification; milk/curd admixture where prescribed

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma while he is being filtered and purified, asking him to become radiant and powerful, and to strengthen Indra and the sacrificer’s victorious energy.

In Vedic ritual language, Soma is the invigorating drink that empowers Indra; symbolically, purified delight and clarity feed the higher will that overcomes obstacles.

It means “the ancient Self of the sacrifice”: Soma is portrayed as the innermost essence that makes the offering effective—both ritually as Soma-juice and inwardly as purified spiritual force.

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