Rig Veda 9.97.2: Mandala 9, Sukta 97, Mantra 2
Sukta 9.97
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
भद्रा वस्त्रा समन्या वसानो महान्कविर्निवचनानि शंसन् । आ वच्यस्व चम्वोः पूयमानो विचक्षणो जागृविर्देववीतौ ॥
bhadrā́ vastrā samanyā́ vāsāno mahā́n kavír ni-vacanāni śáṃsan | ā́ vacyasva camvóḥ pūyamāno vi-cakṣaṇó jā́gṛvir deva-vītáu ||
Woh acche kapde pehen ke aaya hai, jo sabko pasand aaye. Bada rishi hai woh, jo andar ki baatein batata hai. Saaf ho ke woh bartan mein bolne lagta hai. Woh jo sab dekh sakta hai, hamesha jaagta rehta hai, bhagwanon ko jeetne ke kaam mein laga hai.
Word by Word
- भद्राः
- auspicious, goodAdjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole विशेषण (कर्म/उपपद-विशेषण) — ‘वस्त्राः’ का विशेषणRoot भद्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- वस्त्राः
- garments, robesNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्म (वसाने इति क्रियायाः)Root वस्त्र (प्रातिपदिक)
- समन्या
- together, in common / uniformlyIndeclinableअव्ययRole क्रियाविशेषण (वसाने)Root समन्य (अव्यय/उपसर्गवत्; ‘सम्’ + ‘अन्य’ भाव)
- वसानः
- wearing, being clothedVerb (participle)वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ/शानच्-प्रकार), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (सोमः) — ‘wearing’Root √वस् (वस्—आच्छादने) → वसान (कृदन्त)
- महान्
- greatAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (कविः) / कर्तृ-विशेषणRoot महत् (प्रातिपदिक)
- कविः
- seer, poetNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (शंसन् इति क्रियायाः)Root कवि (प्रातिपदिक)
- निवचनानि
- proclamations, utterances (solemn words)Nounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचनRole कर्म (शंसन्)Root निवचन (नि- + वचन) (प्रातिपदिक)
- शंसन्
- praising, proclaimingVerb (participle)वर्तमान कृदन्त (शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (कविः) — ‘praising/reciting’Root √शंस् (शंस्—स्तुतौ/प्रशंसायाम्) → शंसन्त् (कृदन्त)
- आ
- towards, hitherIndeclinableअव्ययRole क्रियाविशेषण/उपसर्ग (वच्यस्व)Root आ (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- वच्यस्व
- utter yourself / be spoken forth (come to be voiced)Verbलोट् (आज्ञार्थ), मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन, आत्मनेपदRole क्रिया; कर्तृ (त्वम् = सोमः) निहितRoot √वच् (वच्—वक्तव्ये) ; आत्मनेपद, विधिलिङ्/लोट् (वैदिक)
- चम्वोः
- of/in the two cups (pressing-vessels)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, षष्ठी/सप्तमी द्विवचन (वैदिक रूप: -ओः)Role अधिकारण/सम्बन्ध (पूयमानः/वच्यस्व—‘in/at the two bowls’)Root चमू (प्रातिपदिक)
- पूयमानः
- being purified, being cleansedVerb (participle)वर्तमान कर्मणि कृदन्त (शानच्), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole कर्तृ (सोमः) — ‘being purified’Root √पू (पू—शोधने/पवने) → पूयमान (कृदन्त)
- विचक्षणः
- clear-sighted, discerningAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (सोमः) / कर्तृ-विशेषणRoot विचक्षण (वि- + चक्षण) (प्रातिपदिक)
- जागृविः
- wakeful, vigilantAdjective/Participleपरिपूर्ण/स्थितिवाचक कृदन्त (वैदिक ‘जागृवि’), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole विशेषण (सोमः) / कर्तृ-विशेषणRoot √जागृ (जागृ—प्रबोधने) → जागृवस्/जागृवि (कृदन्त; वैदिक)
- देववीतौ
- in the gods’ pursuit/service (divine rite)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकारण (वच्यस्व/शंसन्—‘in the divine seeking/service’)Root देववीति (देव + वीतिः) (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (सम्भाव्य): भद्राः | वस्त्राः | समन्या | वसानः | महान् | कविः | निवचनानि | शंसन् || आ | वच्यस्व | चम्वोः | पूयमानः | विचक्षणः | जागृविः | देववीतौ || 1) ‘महान्कविः’ = महान् + कविः (न् + क → ङ्क् संधि)
- 2) ‘चम्वो॑:’ = चम्वोः (चमू-शब्द, द्विवचन षष्ठी/सप्तमी वैदिक -ओः)
- 3) ‘दे॒ववी॑तौ’ = देववीतौ (सप्तमी एकवचन)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Wearing auspicious, harmonious garments, the great seer proclaims inner utterances. Being purified, become speakable upon the bowls; discerning and ever-wakeful, he moves in the winning of the gods.
Inner meaning
Soma is ‘clothed’ in bhadrā vastrā—pure, auspicious coverings: refined mental and vital textures that no longer distort delight. ‘Samanyā’ again signals harmony: the instruments are tuned. As mahān kavi, Soma becomes the inner seer-power that reveals nivacanāni—secret utterances arising from within (intuitive speech). ‘Become speakable on the bowls’ means the realization must take form in expressible mantra within our receptive capacities (camvoḥ = holding faculties). The ever-wakeful discernment (vicakṣaṇa, jāgṛviḥ) indicates sustained consciousness, not trance alone. In ‘devavītau’ (winning/attaining the gods), the purified delight actively brings down and secures higher powers into life.
Universal truth
Spiritual realization requires refined instruments and truthful expression. When joy is purified, it becomes intuitive speech and steady wakefulness, enabling the attainment and integration of higher consciousness-powers.
Themes
Soma-ritual, mantric speech, seerhood (kavi), purification and expression
The seer
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 9.97.1-30
Significance
This verse highlights a key Aurobindonian theme: purified Ananda is not only sweetness but also revelation (kavi) and vigilant consciousness (jāgṛviḥ), enabling effective manifestation (speech, attainment).
The deity
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Epithets
- Pūyamāna, Mahān Kavi, Vicakṣaṇa, Jāgṛvi (ever-wakeful)
- Related deities
- Bṛhaspati (word/revelation), Sarasvatī (inspired speech), Agni (priestly expression)
Cosmic role
Soma refines the ‘garments’ of nature and becomes revelatory speech that wins the gods—bringing higher powers into the sacrifice.
Inner power
Ananda as intuitive revelation and sustained wakefulness; power of true utterance (vāṇī) born from purity.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma purification with bowls (camū) and collection; hymns accompanying preparation and offering
भ॒द्रा वस्त्रा॑ सम॒न्या॒३॒॑ वसा॑नो म॒हान्क॒विर्नि॒वच॑नानि॒ शंस॑न् । आ व॑च्यस्व च॒म्वो॑: पू॒यमा॑नो विचक्ष॒णो जागृ॑विर्दे॒ववी॑तौ ॥
भ॒द्रा । वस्त्रा॑ । स॒म॒न्या॑ । वसा॑नः । म॒हान् । क॒विः । नि॒ऽवच॑नानि । शं॒स॒न् । आ । व॒च्य॒स्व॒ । च॒म्वोः॑ । पू॒यमा॑नः । वि॒ऽच॒क्ष॒णः । जागृ॑विः । दे॒वऽवी॑तौ ॥
bhadrā | vastrā | samanyā | vasānaḥ | mahān | kaviḥ | ni-vacanāni | śaṃsan | ā | vacyasva | camvoḥ | pūyamānaḥ | vi-cakṣaṇaḥ | jāgṛviḥ | deva-vītau
48
4×~12
Balanced and articulate—supports the theme of ‘utterance’ and ‘discernment’
Promotes clarity of speech and alert calm; good for japa leading into silent meditation.
- भद्रा वस्त्रा (bhadrā vastrā)
- Literal: auspicious garments. Symbolic: purified coverings of mind and life; sattwic texture of nature
- समन्या (samanyā)
- Literal: harmonious. Symbolic: tuned vibration; inner concord
- महान् कविः (mahān kaviḥ)
- Literal: great seer-poet. Symbolic: intuitive consciousness that reveals truth
- निवचनानि (nivacanāni)
- Literal: inner utterances/secret sayings. Symbolic: revelatory speech from within; intuitive mantra
- शंसन् (śaṃsan)
- Literal: proclaiming. Symbolic: making inner truth active and effective through speech
- आ वच्यस्व (ā vacyasva)
- Literal: become speakable/utterable. Symbolic: let realization translate into clear expression and guidance
- चम्वोः (camvoḥ)
- Literal: in/for the bowls. Symbolic: receptive holding faculties; prepared instruments
- विचक्षणः (vicakṣaṇaḥ)
- Literal: discerning. Symbolic: clear seeing that separates truth from mixture
- जागृविः (jāgṛviḥ)
- Literal: ever-awake. Symbolic: continuous consciousness; vigilant presence
- देववीतौ (devavītau)
- Literal: in the winning/attainment of the gods. Symbolic: securing descent of higher powers into the being
Soma in the camū (cups/bowls) after or during filtration; recitation to render Soma ‘speakable’—i.e., fit for praise and offering, aligning the rite’s vessels and the practitioner’s receptivity.
When Soma is being purified and placed/handled in bowls; during chants that ‘make Soma speakable’ as praise
Handling Soma in camū; recitation to sanctify and invoke divine participation
Chant before study/teaching or important speech: align words with inner truth and wakeful discernment.
vastra ‘garment’ from √vas ‘to clothe/dwell’; psychologically, the ‘vestures’ are forms assumed by the force in manifestation. kavi from √kū/√kav (Vedic: ‘to see, to be wise/poetic’), denotes inspired sight. ni-vacana: vac ‘speech’ with ni- ‘down/in’; suggests speech that descends and is fixed inwardly (mantric formulation). vi-cakṣaṇa from √cakṣ ‘to see’ with vi- ‘apart’; discriminative seeing. jāgṛvi from √jāgṛ ‘to be awake’.
mantra as ‘fixed utterance’ (ni-vacana), vigilance (jāgṛvi) as spiritual discipline, discernment (vi-cakṣaṇa)
Samanyā + orderly cadence = ṛta as harmony in vibration and conduct.
Nivacanāni: speech emerging from truth, not opinion.
Revelation becoming form: inner truth translated into spoken mantra and effective attainment.
Mantra-vidyā orientation; bridges to Upaniṣadic emphasis on vāṅ-manas alignment.
Garments = layers of nature (kosha-like); bowls = receptive capacities; speech = creative vibration shaping consciousness.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- Soma as the ‘great kavi’ who, once purified, becomes articulate in the ritual vessels and enables the ‘winning of the gods’. Mythic action: the divine drink is not passive; it is a visionary intelligence that clothes itself in auspicious forms and manifests as inspired utterance.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √vac ‘speak’ continues PIE *wekʷ- ‘voice/speak’ (cf. Latin vox, English voice). √jāgṛ ‘wake’ aligns with PIE *weg- ‘be strong/awake’ (cognate relations are complex but the ‘wakefulness’ semantic is Indo-European). The prefixing system (ni-, vi-) shows inherited preverb usage typical of early Indo-European poetic diction.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi does not merely praise Soma; he asks Soma to become ‘vacyasva’—fit to be voiced—within the prepared receptacles. The reciprocity is: human preparation (vessels + speech) enables Soma’s self-revelation; Soma’s revelation enables the descent/arrival of the gods (deva-vīti).
Let purified joy become truthful speech and vigilant awareness; practice ‘speaking from the inner seer’.
Viśuddha (speech purification) with Ājñā (discernment)
Gentle ujjāyī or soft throat-resonance humming; pause before speech to feel ‘nivacana’ arise
Wakeful stillness with intuitive clarity
Chant slowly; after each repetition, sit in silence and notice the subtlest ‘inner sentence’ that forms without effort. Commit to speak only what carries that quiet truth-tone.
Rigvedic accents; keep ‘bhadrā vastrā’ smooth and auspicious; give clear lift to ‘mahān kavir’ and ‘vicakṣaṇo’.
Articulate consonant clusters cleanly to support ‘speakability’ (vacyasva); avoid rushing the second hemistich.
bhadrā: aspirated bh; retroflex ḍ absent; dental d, vastrā: cluster -str- clear, not ‘satar’, samanyā: distinct -ny- palatal, nivacanāni: keep short a; do not nasalize unnecessarily, vacyasva: palatal c; avoid ‘vachyasva’ with extra h, camvoḥ: pronounce as cam-voḥ (not cham-voh); final ḥ light, vicakṣaṇaḥ: kṣ cluster crisp, jāgṛviḥ: long ā; roll lightly; final ḥ if present in recitation style
clear, articulate, slightly nasal resonance for mantra clarity; calm wakefulness
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