
Sukta 9.91
Rebha Kāśyapa (common attribution for RV 9.91; verify in Anukramaṇī/critical apparatus)
Soma Pavamāna (with inner Agni/vahni as functional presence)
Jagatī (probable; confirm metrically)
This short Pavamāna hymn celebrates Soma as he is “sent forth” through the woolen filter, moving like a race-chariot toward the gods’ seats while carrying an inner fire (vahni). As Soma becomes purified, he is invoked to shatter hostile powers (rakṣas), spread victorious plenitudes (vājās), and finally to grant waters, solar “cows” (rays/illumined powers), offspring, broad fields, and enduring vision of the Sun (truth-light).
Mantra 1
असर्जि वक्वा रथ्ये यथाजौ धिया मनोता प्रथमो मनीषी । दश स्वसारो अधि सानो अव्येऽजन्ति वह्निं सदनान्यच्छ ॥
He is sent forth—strong-voiced—like a chariot in the race, by the thought that consents; the first of the seers in his discerning. The ten sisters, upon the woolly ridge, drive the carrier-fire toward the seats (of the gods), toward the right abodes.
Mantra 2
वीती जनस्य दिव्यस्य कव्यैरधि सुवानो नहुष्येभिरिन्दुः । प्र यो नृभिरमृतो मर्त्येभिर्मर्मृजानोऽविभिर्गोभिरद्भिः ॥
For the enjoyment of the divine people, by the poets’ inspirations, the Soma-drop is pressed out with the Nahushya men. He advances—immortal among mortals—being cleansed and clarified by the sheep (wool), by the cows (rays), and by the waters (streams of clarity).
Mantra 3
वृषा वृष्णे रोरुवदंशुरस्मै पवमानो रुशदीर्ते पयो गोः । सहस्रमृक्वा पथिभिर्वचोविदध्वस्मभिः सूरो अण्वं वि याति ॥
A Bull for the Bull, the roaring ray for him; purified, he rises shining—the milk of the Cow. A thousand-voiced seer, knower of the word, along our paths the Sun moves forth, spreading his subtle course.
Mantra 4
रुजा दृळ्हा चिद्रक्षसः सदांसि पुनान इन्द ऊर्णुहि वि वाजान् । वृश्चोपरिष्टात्तुजता वधेन ये अन्ति दूरादुपनायमेषाम् ॥
Break even the firm-set seats of the Rakshasas; O purified Indu, unfold and spread out the vājās—plenitudes of victorious force. Cut down from above with the smiting weapon those who, whether near or far, press in upon our path.
Mantra 5
स प्रत्नवन्नव्यसे विश्ववार सूक्ताय पथः कृणुहि प्राचः । ये दुःषहासो वनुषा बृहन्तस्ताँस्ते अश्याम पुरुकृत्पुरुक्षो ॥
As of old, yet for what is ever new, O all-desirable Soma, make for the inspired word the forward paths. Those vast and hard-to-bear resistances that confront us in the struggle—may we reach beyond them by your power, O doer of much, O wide-acting one.
Mantra 6
एवा पुनानो अपः स्वर्गा अस्मभ्यं तोका तनयानि भूरि । शं नः क्षेत्रमुरु ज्योतींषि सोम ज्योङ्नः सूर्यं दृशये रिरीहि ॥
Thus, O Soma, purified, bring for us the Waters, the luminous Cows of the Sun-world, and abundant births of our being—children and continuations. Make wide our field in peace; widen the lights for us. For long, set the Sun before us to be seen—establish a lasting vision of the Truth-light.
The hymn praises Soma Pavamāna—Soma as he flows and becomes purified through the woolen filter—also carrying an inner ‘vahni’ (impelling fire/bearer-force) in the ritual.
It is a ritual-poetic image for the filtering and guiding forces around Soma’s purification—often understood as the fingers/streams or agencies that drive the Soma over the woolen strainer toward the gods’ seats.
It asks for protection from hostile forces, the spreading of victorious strength (vāja), and blessings such as waters, ‘solar cows’ (rays/wealth), children and continuity, wide peaceful fields, and lasting sight of the Sun (truth-light).