Rig Veda 9.68.2: Mandala 9, Sukta 68, Mantra 2
Sukta 9.68
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Chandas
- Trishtubh
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Shanta (peace)
स रोरुवदभि पूर्वा अचिक्रददुपारुहः श्रथयन्त्स्वादते हरिः । तिरः पवित्रं परियन्नुरु ज्रयो नि शर्याणि दधते देव आ वरम् ॥
sá rórūvad abhí pū́rvā acíkradad upā́ruhaḥ śráthayan svā́date háriḥ | tiráḥ pavítraṃ paríyann urú járyo ní śáryāṇi dadhate devá ā́ váram ||
Som ras awaaz karta hai aur upar jaata hai. Woh purani jagah se nikal kar meetha ban jaata hai. Filter se guzarta hai aur apna raasta banata hai. Phir woh acchi jagah pahunch jaata hai.
Word by Word
- सः
- he (that one)Pronounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक) → स
- रोरुवत्
- roaring, loudly soundingParticiple (Adjectival) / Kṛdantaपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; वर्तमान-क्रियाविशेषण/विशेषण (शतृ-प्रत्ययार्थः)Role कर्तृ-विशेषणम्Root √रु (रवणे/क्रन्दने) → रोरुवत् (वर्तमान-कृदन्त)
- अभि
- towards, overIndeclinable (Preverb/Adverb)अव्ययम्Role अधिकारण/दिशा-निर्देश (towards/over)Root अभि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- पूर्वाः
- the former/earlier (ones/streams)Adjective (used substantively)स्त्रीलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, बहुवचनम्Role कर्म (गत्यर्थे लक्ष्य-समूहः)Root पूर्व (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
- अचिक्रदत्
- cried out, shoutedVerbलुङ् (अोरिस्ट-इञ्जङ्क्टिव), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, परस्मैपदम्Role क्रियाRoot √क्रन्द् (क्रन्दने) with reduplication → चिक्रद्; aorist injunctive/augmentless
- उप
- up to, nearIndeclinable (Preverb)अव्ययम्Role दिशा/समीप्यRoot उप (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- आरुहः
- mounting, ascendingParticiple/Noun (agentive) / Kṛdantaपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम् (कर्तरि-प्रयोगः: ‘one who mounts/ascends’)Role कर्तृ-विशेषणम्Root √रुह् (आरोहणे) with उपसर्ग आ- → आरुह; (agent noun/participle)
- श्रथयन्
- loosening, making slackParticiple (Present) / Kṛdantaपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; वर्तमान-कर्तरि (शतृ)Role कर्तृ-विशेषणम्Root √श्रथ् (शिथिलीकरणे/विस्रंसने) → श्रथय (णिच्) वर्तमान-कृदन्त
- स्वादते
- tastes sweet / is sweetVerbलट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुषः, एकवचनम्, आत्मनेपदम्Role क्रियाRoot √स्वद् (आस्वादने/रुचौ) → स्वादते
- हरिः
- the tawny one (Soma/steed-like Soma)Nounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृRoot हरि (प्रातिपदिक)
- तिरः
- across, throughIndeclinableअव्ययम्Role अधिकारण/मार्ग-निर्देशRoot तिरस् (अव्ययीभाव/अव्यय)
- पवित्रम्
- the filter, strainerNounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्म (गमनस्य)Root पवित्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- परियन्
- going around, moving throughParticiple (Present) / Kṛdantaपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; वर्तमान-कर्तरि (शतृ)Role कर्तृ-विशेषणम्Root √या (गत्यर्थे) with परि- → परिय (वर्तमान-कृदन्त)
- उरु
- wide, far, broadAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, एकवचनम् (क्रियाविशेषणवत्: ‘widely/into a wide space’)Role कर्म/अधिकारण (व्याप्ति)Root उरु (विशेषण-प्रातिपदिक)
- ज्रयः
- the rushing stream / swift courseNounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ/कर्तृ-सम्बन्ध (प्रवाहः)Root ज्रय (प्रातिपदिक; ‘वेग/प्रवाह’ इत्यर्थे) अथवा √ज्रि/ज्रय् (गत्यर्थ) से सम्बन्धित
- नि
- down, intoIndeclinable (Preverb)अव्ययम्Role दिशा-निर्देश (down/into)Root नि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- शर्याणि
- channels/paths (for the flow)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्गः, द्वितीया, बहुवचनम्Role कर्मRoot शर्याणि (प्रातिपदिक; ‘शर्य’/‘शर्याण’—उपकरण/धाराः/मार्गाः इत्यादि; RV-विशिष्ट)
- दधते
- they place, they setVerbलट् (वर्तमान), प्रथमपुरुषः, बहुवचनम्, आत्मनेपदम्Role क्रियाRoot √धा (धारणे/स्थापने) → दधते
- देवः
- the god (Soma)Nounपुंलिङ्गः, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्Role कर्तृ (सम्बोधन-भावः/विशेषण-भावः: ‘the god’)Root देव (प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- towards, untoIndeclinable (Preverb)अव्ययम्Role दिशा-निर्देश (towards)Root आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- वरम्
- the choice boon / the best (place/goal)Nounपुंलिङ्गः/नपुंसकलिङ्गः (प्रयोगे नपुंसकवत्), द्वितीया, एकवचनम्Role कर्म (गमनस्य लक्ष्यः)Root वर (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सम्भाव्य): सः | रोरुवत् | अभि | पूर्वाः | अचिक्रदत् | उप | आरुहः | श्रथयन् | स्वादते | हरिः || तिरः | पवित्रम् | परियन् | उरु | ज्रयः | नि | शर्याणि | दधते | देवः | आ | वरम् || मुख्य सन्धयः: (1) रोरुवद॒भि → रोरुवत् + अभि (त् + अ → द्-प्रकृत्याभावः; संहितायां ‘द’ लेखनम्)
- (2) अचिक्रददुपा॒रुहः → अचिक्रदत् + उप + आरुहः (त् + उ → द्-प्रकृत्याभावः; उप + आरुहः में उपसर्ग-संयोग)
- (3) श्रथय॑न्त्स्वादते → श्रथयन् + स्वादते (न् + स् संयोग)
- (4) परि॒यन्नु॒रु → परियन् + उरु (न् + उ)
- (5) ज्रयो॒ नि → ज्रयः + नि (ः + न्)
The meaning
Outer meaning
He roars over the ancient foundations; mounting upward, the tawny one loosens and becomes sweet. Passing across the filter, moving in wide courses, the god lays down swift movements and comes to the chosen boon/excellence.
Inner meaning
Soma as the awakening force in the being ‘roars’ against old bases (pūrvāḥ: ancient formations—habitual substrata). Rising upward, the tawny energy (hariḥ) loosens knots (śrathayan) and turns experience into sweetness (svādate). Crossing the pavitra (the discriminating filter), it circulates widely (uru jrayaḥ), then ‘sets down’ its impulsive rushes (ni śaryāṇi dadhate)—the vital becomes mastered—and arrives at varam: the selected excellence, the higher poise of consciousness.
Universal truth
Transformation requires both force and refinement: a strong awakening breaks old patterns, then a discerning filter purifies it, and finally the energy becomes mastered and established in a higher, chosen good.
Themes
Soma-ritual, Purification through pavitra, Transformation of force into delight, Vast movement (uru)
The seer
- Other hymns
- RV 9.68 (Pavamāna Soma sequence)
Significance
The seer portrays the classic inner alchemy: forceful awakening, purification through the inner filter, and establishment in a higher poise—central to yogic transformation.
The deity
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Epithets
- hari (tawny), deva (god), pavamāna
- Related deities
- Indra (illumined mind that receives Soma), Agni (will that carries the offering), Varuṇa (order/ṛta; restraint)
Cosmic role
Soma is the purifying current that moves from raw potency to refined sweetness, making the sacrifice effective.
Inner power
Breaks inertia, loosens knots, purifies through discernment, and stabilizes the vital in service of higher consciousness.
In ritual
Where it is used
Pavamāna Soma purification during Soma yajña; imagery directly matches straining through pavitra.
स रोरु॑वद॒भि पूर्वा॑ अचिक्रददुपा॒रुह॑: श्र॒थय॑न्त्स्वादते॒ हरि॑: । ति॒रः प॒वित्रं॑ परि॒यन्नु॒रु ज्रयो॒ नि शर्या॑णि दधते दे॒व आ वर॑म् ॥
सः । रोरु॑वत् । अ॒भि । पूर्वाः॑ । अ॒चि॒क्र॒द॒त् । उ॒प॒ऽआ॒रुहः॑ । श्र॒थय॑न् । स्वा॒द॒ते॒ । हरिः॑ । ति॒रः । प॒वित्र॑म् । प॒रि॒ऽयन् । उ॒रु । ज्रयः॑ । नि । शर्या॑णि । द॒ध॒ते॒ । दे॒वः । आ । वर॑म् ॥
saḥ | roruvat | abhi | pūrvāḥ | acikradat | upa-āruhaḥ | śrathayan | svādate | hariḥ | tiraḥ | pavitram | pari-yan | uru | jrayaḥ | ni | śaryāṇi | dadhate | devaḥ | ā | varam
44
4 × ~11
Strong, percussive openings (sa roruvat…) with expansive mid-lines; conveys force then control.
Invokes energetic purification—first stirring, then settling into a firm, clarified steadiness.
- roruvat / acikradat
- Literal: roaring / crying out. Symbolic: awakening force challenging inertia; tapas as dynamic pressure
- pūrvāḥ
- Literal: the former/ancient (foundations). Symbolic: old habit-structures, subconscient grooves
- upāruhaḥ
- Literal: mounting upward. Symbolic: ascent of consciousness from lower to higher planes
- hariḥ
- Literal: tawny one. Symbolic: luminous vital force/energy of transformation in Soma
- śrathayan
- Literal: loosening. Symbolic: untying inner knots; releasing constrictions
- svādate
- Literal: becomes sweet. Symbolic: conversion of struggle into Ananda
- pavitram
- Literal: filter/strainer. Symbolic: discernment, purification, psychic-vigilance
- uru jrayaḥ
- Literal: wide courses. Symbolic: widening circulation of purified force through the being
- śaryāṇi
- Literal: swift motions/impulses. Symbolic: unregulated vital movements brought under control
- varam
- Literal: choice boon/excellence. Symbolic: higher selection: the soul’s chosen truth-state
Chanted during Soma’s passage through the pavitra (wool/grass filter) and settling into vessels; emphasizes the dynamic of purification and sweetening.
As Soma is filtered and made fit for offering; accompanying the transition from raw juice to clarified drink.
Chant while visualizing impurities left behind in the filter; offer the clarified essence inwardly.
For breaking habits: chant while intending release of old patterns; pair with a brief ‘witness’ pause after each pāda to let impulses settle.
√svād ‘to be sweet, taste’ (cf. sva- ‘own’ + √ad ‘eat’ in later analyses; Vedic √svād stands as ‘taste/sweetness’). pavitra from pū ‘to purify’ (√pū) with instrumental sense ‘means of purification’. vará ‘choice/best’ from √vṛ ‘choose’ (PIE *wel- ‘to choose/want’). hari ‘tawny, golden’ is a color-epithet frequently marking luminous energy.
Purification as transformation of impulse into sweetness (svāda), Ṛta as the 'ancient foundations' (pūrvāḥ) that Soma moves upon
Wide courses (uru jrayaḥ) after passing the filter represent energy moving according to ṛta rather than impulse.
varam is the selected truth-good; the being chooses the higher alignment.
Purification as a creative process: raw force becomes sweet, ordered, and capable of higher manifestation.
Yoga of transformation (Aurobindo): ascent, purification, widening, and stabilization.
Roar/ascent = awakening; filter = discrimination; wide flow = wideness; setting down swift motions = mastery of vital energy.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The mythic passage of Soma through the ‘pavitra’ is cast as an ascent and a roaring breakthrough: Soma mounts upward and, crossing the purifier, turns raw impulse into sweetness. The ‘wide courses’ (uru jrayah) figure the expansion of consciousness as the purified force circulates and then ‘sets down’ its energies in a chosen culmination (varam).
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- varam (√vṛ) aligns with PIE choosing/willing roots (*wel- family), while √dhā ‘place’ continues PIE *dheh₁-. The reduplicated verbal form acikradat is a classical Indo-Iranian intensification strategy (iterative/reduplicated aorist), matching the oral-poetic need to iconically represent repeated cries/roars.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The Rishi’s standpoint is observational-participatory: he tracks Soma’s self-action (roaring, ascending, sweetening) but places it within the ritual-psychological technology of the pavitra. The human contribution is the ordered purifier/path; Soma’s gift is the conversion of turbulent energy into expansive, sweet, goal-directed power.
Observe an inner force rising; let it pass through a ‘filter’ of truth (what is sincere, quiet, useful), then feel it widen and settle.
maṇipūra (force) refined toward ājñā (discernment)
kapālabhāti-like light pulses are NOT recommended with Vedic chant; instead use steady diaphragmatic breath, emphasizing a controlled exhale on ‘tiraḥ pavitram’
energized purification leading to stable clarity
When agitated, chant once slowly; then sit and consciously ‘set down’ one impulsive movement (speech, reaction) by choosing a single calm action aligned with your highest aim.
Accurate Vedic accents require a svara-marked text; preserve long vowels and consonant clusters carefully.
Keep consonant clarity: roruvat (rolled r), acikradat (ci-kra), upāruhaḥ (long ā, clear h), śrathayan (śra-tha), svādate (long ā).
hariḥ: final ḥ lightly aspirated, tiraḥ: visarga before p in pavitram—soft echo of ‘h’, pavitram: v soft; tr conjunct, pariyann: double n (nasal length), uru: both u short, clear, śaryāṇi: retroflex ṇ; long ā
start forceful and resonant, then progressively smoother by the second half to embody ‘setting down’ impulses
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