Rig Veda Sukta 87
Mandala 9Sukta 879 Mantras

Sukta 87

Sukta 9.87

Rishi

Unspecified here; hymn-level Anukramaṇī needed.

Devata

Soma Pavamāna.

Chandas

Likely Triṣṭubh (common in RV; requires verification).

Dieser Pavamāna-Soma-Hymnus preist Somas schnelles, zielgerichtetes Strömen, wie er durch die rituellen Filter geläutert und zum heiligen Sitz (barhis) geführt wird – gleich einem wohlgepflegten Rennross. Die Strophen verknüpfen seine Reinigung mit dem Gewinn von Kraft (vāja), Ruhm (śravas), Nahrung/Erquickung (iṣ) und Unsterblichkeit (amṛta) und gipfeln in Somas Gemeinschaft mit Indra sowie in einem Gebet um rechtes Lob und wirksame Inspiration.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.87

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र तु द्रव परि कोशं नि षीद नृभिः पुनानो अभि वाजमर्ष । अश्वं न त्वा वाजिनं मर्जयन्तोऽच्छा बर्ही रशनाभिर्नयन्ति ॥

Stürme hervor; umkreise das Gefäß und setze dich nieder: von den Menschen geläutert, ströme hin zum vája, zur Fülle der Kraft. Wie man ein schnelles Pferd striegelt, so reinigen sie dich, den Flinken, und führen dich mit leitenden Zügeln zum heiligen Sitz (barhís).

Mantra 2

स्वायुधः पवते देव इन्दुरशस्तिहा वृजनं रक्षमाणः । पिता देवानां जनिता सुदक्षो विष्टम्भो दिवो धरुणः पृथिव्याः ॥

Mit eigener Waffe, eigener Kraft, fließt der göttliche Indu dahin, erschlägt das Unpreiswürdige und behütet das geordnete Feld. Vater der Götter, Erzeuger von vollkommener Kunst, ist er die feste Stütze des Himmels und das tragende Fundament der Erde.

Mantra 3

ऋषिर्विप्रः पुरएता जनानामृभुर्धीर उशना काव्येन । स चिद्विवेद निहितं यदासामपीच्यं गुह्यं नाम गोनाम् ॥

Ein Ṛṣi, ein erleuchteter Seher, der Vorangehende der Völker — ein Ṛbhu, standhaft, begehrend durch Uśanās’ dichterische Kunst; auch das Verborgene hat er erkannt: den geheimen, inneren Namen der Lichtstrahlen.

Mantra 4

एष स्य ते मधुमाँ इन्द्र सोमो वृषा वृष्णे परि पवित्रे अक्षाः । सहस्रसाः शतसा भूरिदावा शश्वत्तमं बर्हिरा वाज्यस्थात् ॥

Dies ist dein honigsüßer Soma, o Indra: ein Stier für den Stier, er ist rings um das Sieb geflossen. Tausendfacher Sieger, hundertfacher Sieger, reichlich spendend — der ewigwährende, kraftvolle hat auf dem heiligen Sitz Stand genommen.

Mantra 5

एते सोमा अभि गव्या सहस्रा महे वाजायामृताय श्रवांसि । पवित्रेभिः पवमाना असृग्रञ्छ्रवस्यवो न पृतनाजो अत्याः ॥

Diese Somas drängen vor zu den tausendfachen Strahlen, zur großen Fülle der Kraft, zur Unsterblichkeit und zu den Gaben des inspirierten Hörens. Durch die Siebe sich reinigend, sind sie hervorgeströmt — nach leuchtendem Ruhm verlangend wie Schlachtrosse, schnelle Pferde.

Mantra 6

परि हि ष्मा पुरुहूतो जनानां विश्वासरद्भोजना पूयमानः । अथा भर श्येनभृत प्रयांसि रयिं तुञ्जानो अभि वाजमर्ष ॥

Denn wahrlich, vielangerufen unter den Völkern, umkreisest du, geläutert, alle Freuden-Speisen. Dann bring, o Adlergetragener, deine voranstrebenden Gaben; rayi (Fülle, Reichtum) hervordrängend, ströme hin zum vāja, zur sieghaften Kraft.

Mantra 7

एष सुवानः परि सोमः पवित्रे सर्गो न सृष्टो अदधावदर्वा । तिग्मे शिशानो महिषो न शृङ्गे गा गव्यन्नभि शूरो न सत्वा ॥

Dieser Soma, ausgepresst, umkreist das Sieb wie ein losgelassener Schwall, vorwärtsstürmend. Sich an den scharfen Kanten schärfend wie ein Büffel an seinen Hörnern, sucht er die Kühe, die Lichtstrahlen—heldisch, ein starkes Wesen, das vorandrängt.

Mantra 8

एषा ययौ परमादन्तरद्रेः कूचित्सतीरूर्वे गा विवेद । दिवो न विद्युत्स्तनयन्त्यभ्रैः सोमस्य ते पवत इन्द्र धारा ॥

Dieser Soma-Strom ist vom Höchsten her eingegangen in das Herz des Steins; zum Sucher geworden, fand er die Kühe in der weiten Höhle. Wie des Himmels Blitz, der in den Wolken donnert, so fließt, o Indra, dein Soma-Strom in der Läuterung.

Mantra 9

उत स्म राशिं परि यासि गोनामिन्द्रेण सोम सरथं पुनानः । पूर्वीरिषो बृहतीर्जीरदानो शिक्षा शचीवस्तव ता उपष्टुत् ॥

Wahrlich, du umkreisest den Haufen der strahlenden Kühe — der Lichtschätze, o Soma, dich läuternd, in einem Wagen mit Indra. Spender der früheren, reichen Nahrungskräfte, o Mächtiger: lehre uns, die rechten Loblieder auf jene deine Kräfte zu sprechen, o Śacīvan.

Inside Sukta 87

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A vivid command to Soma to rush forth, circle the vessel, and be seated—his motion and purification are foregrounded.

  2. Development

    Soma’s cleansing is compared to grooming a swift horse; the hymn expands the results of purification into strength, rays of light, fame, and immortality as the streams surge through the filters.

  3. Climax

    The purified Somas surge toward vast goals (vāja, amṛta, śravas), likened to battle-chargers—an image of unstoppable victorious energy.

  4. Where it settles

    Soma is shown moving ‘in one chariot with Indra’ around the radiant stores, and the poet ends with a request for the capacity to praise Soma’s powers rightly and receive enduring nourishment.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaSoma is the pressed and purified sacred drink, envisioned as a living, radiant stream that rushes through the pávitra (filter), becomes bright and powerful, and is set upon the ritual seat for the gods. He is praised as a giver of vāja (victorious strength), śravas (renown), iṣ (nourishing impulse), and amṛta (deathless essence), moving in close alliance with Indra.
  • Cosmic functionTo mediate between human rite and divine power by transforming the raw plant essence into a luminous, invigorating current that sustains gods and renews vitality, victory, and order.
  • Inner significanceThe purifying flow symbolizes the refinement of consciousness: impulses and energies are ‘filtered’ into clarity, courage, inspired speech, and an inward taste of immortality (amṛta) through disciplined practice.

Famous verses

प्र तु द्रव परि कोशं नि षीद नृभिः पुनानो अभि वाजमर्ष । अश्वं न त्वा वाजिनं मर्जयन्तोऽच्छा बर्ही रशनाभिर्नयन्ति ॥
Verse 9.87.1Sets the hymn’s ritual and symbolic frame: Soma’s swift movement, purification by human agency, and being led to the barhis like a racehorse—capturing both liturgy and inner meaning.Read verse 9.87.1 →
एते सोमा अभि गव्या सहस्रा महे वाजायामृताय श्रवांसि । पवित्रेभिः पवमाना असृग्रञ्छ्रवस्यवो न पृतनाजो अत्याः ॥
Verse 9.87.5Expresses the hymn’s central fruits of Pavamāna Soma—vāja (power), amṛta (immortality), and śravas (inspired fame)—and uses the striking simile of swift war-horses streaming out.Read verse 9.87.5 →
उत स्म राशिं परि यासि गोनामिन्द्रेण सोम सरथं पुनानः । पूर्वीरिषो बृहतीर्जीरदानो शिक्षा शचीवस्तव ता उपष्टुत् ॥
Verse 9.87.9Provides the culminating theological linkage: Soma purified rides ‘together with Indra,’ granting ancient, abundant nourishment and calling for right praise—uniting victory, plenty, and inspired speech.Read verse 9.87.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying flow (pavamāna)
  • Radiance and sweetness
  • Giver of strength (vāja) and nourishment (iṣ)
  • Bestower of fame (śravas)
  • Vehicle of immortality (amṛta)
  • Indra’s companion in victory
  • Swift, horse-like energy

Also by this seer

  • Please supply the Anukramaṇī entry for RV 9.87 to identify other hymns linked to this rishi.

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma stalks and express the juice (savana context).
  • Let the juice run swiftly and be guided around/into the vessel (kośa).
  • Filter through the pávitra (wool/grass strainer) to ‘purify’ (punāna/pavamāna).
  • Collect the clarified Soma and lead it to the ritual seat (barhis) for offering.
  • Offer libations to the gods, with emphasis on Indra’s share and Soma’s empowering role.
  • Conclude with petitions for strength, nourishment, fame, and right inspiration/praise.

Offerings

  • Purified Soma libations
  • Associated oblations customary to Soma rites (e.g., ghee and ancillary offerings as per śrauta procedure)

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma as he is purified through the ritual filter and brought to the sacred seat, and it asks for the benefits that purification brings—strength, nourishment, fame, and a taste of immortality.

Because Soma’s flow is fast and forceful, and the ritual purification is like grooming and harnessing a swift horse—turning raw energy into controlled power for victory and blessing.

It expresses their close partnership: Soma empowers Indra for victorious action, and together they secure abundance and protection for the worshippers.

Ask anything about Sukta 87 of the Rig Veda

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