Rig Veda Sukta 95
Mandala 9Sukta 955 Mantras

Sukta 95

Sukta 9.95

Dieser kurze Pavamāna‑Soma‑Hymnus preist den fahlgoldenen Soma, wie er freigesetzt, gereinigt und im hölzernen Pressgefäß und im Filter mit einem strahlenden „Reinigungsgewand“ bekleidet wird. Der Dichter schildert, wie inspirierte Gedanken und Gebete wie Wasserwogen zu Soma eilen, und bittet den sich läuternden Indu, heilige Rede und Einsicht zu weiten. Der Hymnus gipfelt in einem gemeinsamen Streben — mit Indra — nach Gedeihen und nach der Meisterschaft wahrer, heroischer Kraft, die aus Somas Läuterung hervorgeht.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.95

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna (Hari)

    Soma is praised as Indu/Hari, murmuring as he is released and purified, settling into the wooden vessel and passing through the filter, emerging bright and invigorating.

Mantras

Mantra 1

कनिक्रन्ति हरिरा सृज्यमानः सीदन्वनस्य जठरे पुनानः । नृभिर्यतः कृणुते निर्णिजं गा अतो मतीर्जनयत स्वधाभिः ॥

Der Falbe murmelt, wenn er freigesetzt wird; sich läuternd setzt er sich in den Bauch des hölzernen Gefäßes. Wo die Männer ihn bereiten, schafft er sein leuchtendes Reinigungsgewand; daraus erzeugt er die inspirierten Gedanken — aus eigener Svadhā.

Mantra 2

हरिः सृजानः पथ्यामृतस्येयर्ति वाचमरितेव नावम् । देवो देवानां गुह्यानि नामाविष्कृणोति बर्हिषि प्रवाचे ॥

Hari, freigesetzt, setzt den Pfad der Ṛta in Gang; er treibt das Wort an wie ein Ruderer das Boot. Der Gott offenbart auf dem Barhis die verborgenen Namen der Götter — zum voranschreitenden Ausruf.

Mantra 3

अपामिवेदूर्मयस्तर्तुराणाः प्र मनीषा ईरते सोममच्छ । नमस्यन्तीरुप च यन्ति सं चा च विशन्त्युशतीरुशन्तम् ॥

Wie Wasserwogen, die stürmisch dahineilen, so drängen die suchenden Eingebungen zum Soma. Verehrend treten sie heran, sie sammeln sich und gehen ein — begehrend den Begehrenden, der selbst (Opfergabe und Aufstieg) begehrt.

Mantra 4

तं मर्मृजानं महिषं न सानावंशुं दुहन्त्युक्षणं गिरिष्ठाम् । तं वावशानं मतयः सचन्ते त्रितो बिभर्ति वरुणं समुद्रे ॥

Ihn, den Polierten, wie einen mächtigen Stier auf der Höhe — den leuchtenden Halm, den Starken, der auf dem Berge steht — melken die Menschen aus. Ihm, dem Eifrigen, schließen sich die Eingebungen an; Trita trägt Varuṇa in der Tiefe des Ozeans.

Mantra 5

इष्यन्वाचमुपवक्तेव होतुः पुनान इन्दो वि ष्या मनीषाम् । इन्द्रश्च यत्क्षयथः सौभगाय सुवीर्यस्य पतयः स्याम ॥

Nach der Rede verlangend, wie ein Beisprecher des Hotar, o sich reinigender Indu, breite die Eingebung (manīṣā) aus. Da du und Indra zu unserem Glücke wohnt, mögen wir Herren wahrhaft starker, heldenhafter Kraft werden.

Inside Sukta 95

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma Hari is released and begins his purifying course, settling into the wooden vessel and assuming a radiant cleansing garment.

  2. Development

    From the human work of pressing/cleansing arises brightness and the birth of inspired thoughts; the hymn links ritual purification with the generation of dhī/manīṣā.

  3. Climax

    Inspirations surge toward Soma like rushing water-waves, gathering and entering him in reverent desire.

  4. Where it settles

    The poet asks Soma to expand sacred speech and insight; with Indra abiding for good fortune, the hymn ends in a prayer for mastery of true heroic strength.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaHe is addressed as a living, radiant flow that attracts prayers and inspirations and empowers speech.
  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and illumination: Soma’s purified flow strengthens the gods (especially Indra), renews life-force, and supports ṛta by energizing sacrifice and the inspired mind that sustains it.
  • Inner significanceThe ‘purifying Soma’ symbolizes the refining of consciousness—raw impulse and sensation are filtered into clarity, luminous insight, and truthful speech. As manīṣā and vāc are ‘spread out,’ inner inspiration becomes articulate prayer and effective intention.

Famous verses

कनिक्रन्ति हरिरा सृज्यमानः सीदन्वनस्य जठरे पुनानः । नृभिर्यतः कृणुते निर्णिजं गा अतो मतीर्जनयत स्वधाभिः ॥
Verse 9.95.1Sets the core Pavamāna scene: Soma’s release, purification in the wooden vessel, the radiant ‘cleansing robe,’ and the arising of inspired thought from his self-law (svadhā).Read verse 9.95.1 →
अपामिवेदूर्मयस्तर्तुराणाः प्र मनीषा ईरते सोममच्छ । नमस्यन्तीरुप च यन्ति सं चा च विशन्त्युशतीरुशन्तम् ॥
Verse 9.95.3A vivid psychological-ritual image: inspirations (manīṣā) rush to Soma like waves, showing Soma as the attractor and intensifier of prayer and aspiration.Read verse 9.95.3 →
इष्यन्वाचमुपवक्तेव होतुः पुनान इन्दो वि ष्या मनीषाम् । इन्द्रश्च यत्क्षयथः सौभगाय सुवीर्यस्य पतयः स्याम ॥
Verse 9.95.5Concludes with a direct request for Soma to ‘spread out’ inspiration and links Soma with Indra for prosperity and heroic power—typical of Soma’s empowering role in Vedic soteriology and victory symbolism.Read verse 9.95.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying (pavamāna, punāna)
  • Tawny/golden (hari)
  • Murmuring/flowing presence
  • Radiant ‘cleansing robe’ (nirṇij)
  • Generative of inspiration (matī, manīṣā)
  • Allied with Indra for strength and victory

Also by this seer

  • Part of the Pavamāna Soma tradition of Maṇḍala 9 (hymns used in Soma pressing and filtration).
  • The imagery and diction align with other Soma hymns that emphasize purification (punāna), radiant clothing (nirṇij), and the birth of inspired thought (matī/manīṣā).

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the pressing space and wooden vessels; ready the filter (pavitra) and collecting cups.
  • Press Soma; release the juice so it ‘murmurs as it is let go’ (imagery of RV 9.95.1).
  • Filter/purify the juice; envision Soma taking on a bright cleansing ‘robe’ (nirṇij).
  • Recite to invite inspirations and prayers to converge upon Soma (RV 9.95.3).
  • Offer the purified Soma to the gods, especially Indra, seeking prosperity and heroic power (RV 9.95.5).

Offerings

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

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma in his purified (pavamāna) form during the Soma ritual—how he is released, filtered, becomes radiant, and gives rise to inspired thoughts and sacred speech.

It shows how prayers and insights surge toward Soma with force and devotion, as if the mind’s inspirations naturally flow into the purified Soma current.

Soma is Indra’s empowering drink in Vedic ritual. The hymn asks that Soma and Indra together bring good fortune and grant ‘heroic power’ (strength, victory, capability) to the worshippers.

Ask anything about Sukta 95 of the Rig Veda

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