Rig Veda Sukta 7
Mandala 9Sukta 77 Mantras

Sukta 7

Sukta 9.7

Chandas

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Dieser kurze Pavamāna-Soma-Hymnus preist die Soma-Tropfen, die auf dem verordneten Pfad des Ṛta voranschreiten und, durch das Sieb geläutert, strahlend werden. Soma erscheint als bewusste, fahlgoldene Kraft, die nach der Reinigung „ihren Sitz nimmt“, während sich der inspirierte Gedanke des Sängers ihm im Dienst zuwendet. Der Hymnus weitet sich zudem zu einem Gebet um gemeinsamen Sieg — um Reichtum, Süße, Ruhm und dauerhafte Schätze, getragen von Himmel und Erde.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.7

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna (purifying Soma as a conscious power)

    Soma is praised as the purifying (pavamāna) stream, golden/tawny (hari), sweet (madhu), radiant, and ritually ‘set in motion’ as drops that run the path of Ṛta through the woolen filter.

Mantras

Mantra 1

असृग्रमिन्दवः पथा धर्मन्नृतस्य सुश्रियः । विदाना अस्य योजनम् ॥

Die Soma-Tropfen (índavaḥ) sind auf den Pfad ausgezogen, gegründet im Gesetz des Ṛta, in strahlender Schönheit; kundig seines Anschirrens und Jochens — seines Verbindens in uns.

Mantra 4

परि यत्काव्या कविर्नृम्णा वसानो अर्षति । स्वर्वाजी सिषासति ॥

Wenn der Seher (kaví), in Macht gekleidet, ringsumhin mit dichterischer Eingebung dahinströmt, dann sucht er — Sieger der Sonnenwelt (svar) und der Fülle — die Kräfte zu meistern und zu vollenden.

Mantra 5

पवमानो अभि स्पृधो विशो राजेव सीदति । यदीमृण्वन्ति वेधसः ॥

Sich läuternd nimmt er seinen Sitz über den Widerstreiten, über den Völkern, wie ein König — wenn die weisen Ordner (vedhás) ihn in Gang setzen und ihn im Innern emporheben.

Mantra 6

अव्यो वारे परि प्रियो हरिर्वनेषु सीदति । रेभो वनुष्यते मती ॥

Durch die Schafwolle ringsum bewegt sich der liebe, fahlgoldene (Hari) und nimmt seinen Sitz in den „Wäldern“; nach ihm verlangt der Gedanke des inspirierten Sängers und dient ihm.

Mantra 7

स वायुमिन्द्रमश्विना साकं मदेन गच्छति । रणा यो अस्य धर्मभिः ॥

Mit der Trunkenheit der Wonne geht er zu Vāyu, zu Indra und zu den Aśvins gemeinsam — er, der nach seinen eigenen Wirkgesetzen zur Freude der Schlacht wird, siegreich im inneren Wettkampf.

Mantra 8

आ मित्रावरुणा भगं मध्वः पवन्त ऊर्मयः । विदाना अस्य शक्मभिः ॥

Zu Mitra-Varuṇa, zu Bhaga strömen die Wogen der Süße (mádhu) hin — kundig seiner Kräfte wirksamen Vollbringens; sie bringen die Harmonie rechter Beziehungen und den Anteil an Wonne.

Mantra 9

अस्मभ्यं रोदसी रयिं मध्वो वाजस्य सातये । श्रवो वसूनि सं जितम् ॥

Für uns, o Himmel und Erde, erringt gemeinsam den Reichtum der Süße (mádhu) zur Gewinnung der Fülle (vā́ja); erringt uns leuchtenden Ruhm und die wahren Schätze, in Eintracht zusammengetragen.

Inside Sukta 7

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma-drops set forth on the path, founded in Ṛta, shining with beauty and purposeful ‘yoking’ (RV 9.7.1).

  2. Development

    The hymn dwells on the visible ritual imagery of purification—Soma moving through the woolen filter and taking his seat—while the poet’s inspired thought turns to serve him (cf. RV 9.7.6).

  3. Climax

    A broad, communal prayer for the winning of sweetness-rich wealth, plenitude, and luminous fame, with Heaven-and-Earth invoked as cosmic supports (RV 9.7.9).

  4. Where it settles

    The praise resolves into confident petition: purified Soma, aligned with Ṛta, becomes the means of unified gain—treasures gathered together and victory secured for the worshippers.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaHe is simultaneously drink, deity, and inspirer, approached by the seer’s matī (vision-thought).
  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and illumination: he renews strength, sustains Ṛta (cosmic order), and carries offerings and inspiration between the human rite and the divine powers.
  • Inner significanceThe purified Soma signifies the clarified mind and awakened delight—thought strained of turbulence, made luminous, and yoked inwardly (yojanam) to a higher order of truth.

Famous verses

pathā dharmann ṛtasya
Verse 9.7.1Sets the governing vision of the hymn: Soma’s movement is not random but ‘on the path’ of Ṛta, radiant, and inwardly yoked—linking ritual action to cosmic order and inner discipline.Read verse 9.7.1 →
avyo vāre pari
Verse 9.7.6Gives the classic Pavamāna image of filtration through sheep’s wool and Soma’s ‘seating’ after purification, while highlighting the seer’s matī (inspired thought) as an act of service.Read verse 9.7.6 →
अस्मभ्यं रोदसी रयिं मध्वो वाजस्य सातये । श्रवो वसूनि सं जितम् ॥
Verse 9.7.9Expresses the hymn’s practical fruit (phala): a prayer for riches of delight, victory in plenitude, fame, and consolidated treasures—showing how Soma-praise culminates in communal wellbeing.Read verse 9.7.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying flow (pavamāna)
  • Aligned with Ṛta (cosmic law)
  • Sweetness/delight (madhu)
  • Radiance/beauty (śrī, suśri)
  • Tawny-golden energy (hari)
  • Inspires hymn and vision (matī)
  • Bestows wealth, fame, and plenitude (rayi, śravas, vāja)

Also by this seer

  • Part of the broader Soma Pavamāna corpus of Mandala 9 (praise of Soma in motion through the filter)
  • Associated with the ritual-poetic tradition that supplies stotras for Soma pressing (savana) and consecration of Soma as ‘king’ (rājan)

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma stalks to release the juice (soma-rasa).
  • Mix/prepare with water (and customary adjuncts per śrauta practice).
  • Filter the flowing Soma through sheep’s wool (āvya vāra) to purify and brighten it.
  • Collect the clarified Soma in vessels; seat/establish it for offering.
  • Offer libations of Soma to the deities with recitation/chant of Pavamāna verses.
  • Conclude with petitions for prosperity, victory, and enduring fame for the sacrificer and community.

Offerings

  • Purified Soma juice (pavamāna soma)
  • Libations to the fire and invited deities (as per the pressing rite)

Frequently Asked Questions

It is Soma in the act of purification—the pressed juice flowing and being strained, praised as a living, conscious power that becomes radiant and fit for offering.

Because Soma is ritually filtered through a woolen strainer; the image also suggests inner clarification—thought and life-energy becoming clean, bright, and steady.

Along with praise of his purification, it asks for prosperity and strength: sweet riches, victory in plenitude, good fame, and true treasures gathered in unity for the worshippers.

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