Rig Veda 9.89.5: Mandala 9, Sukta 89, Mantra 5
Sukta 9.89
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Rasa
- Shanta (peace) and Adbhuta (wonder)
चतस्र ईं घृतदुहः सचन्ते समाने अन्तर्धरुणे निषत्ताः । ता ईमर्षन्ति नमसा पुनानास्ता ईं विश्वतः परि षन्ति पूर्वीः ॥
cátasra īm ghṛta-dúhaḥ sacante samāné antár dharuṇé níṣattāḥ | tā́ īm arṣanti námasā punānā́s tā́ īm viśvátas pári santi pūrvī́ḥ ||
चार ताकतें उसके साथ चिपकी हुई हैं। वो सब अंदर बैठे हैं, एक ही जगह पर। वो उसे बहने देते हैं, साफ करते हैं। वो पुराने हैं और चारों तरफ से उसको घेरे हुए हैं।
Word by Word
- चतस्रः
- four (fem.)Adjective/Numeralस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (सचन्ते इत्यस्य)Root चतुर् (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
- ईम्
- indeed; just; themIndeclinableनिपात/अव्ययRoot ईम् (निपात)
- घृतदुहः
- ghee-milking (streams/cows)Adjective (participle used as noun)स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (सचन्ते इत्यस्य)Root घृत-दुह् (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; दुह् ‘दोहने’)
- सचन्ते
- they associate/come togetherVerbलट् (वर्तमान), आत्मनेपद, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole क्रियाRoot सच् (सचँ ‘समवाये/सेवने’)
- समाने
- in the same (place/state)Adjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन (अधि-करणे)Role अधिकरणRoot सम (प्रातिपदिक)
- अन्तर्धरुणे
- in the inner support/seatNoun (compound)नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचनRole अधिकरणRoot अन्तर्-धरुण (प्रातिपदिक; धरुण ‘आधार/आश्रय’)
- निषत्ताः
- seated; having sat downParticipleस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (अन्तर्भूत-क्रिया: ‘having sat/being seated’)Root नि-षद् (षदँ ‘उपवेशने’)
- ताः
- those (fem.)Pronounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (अर्षन्ति इत्यस्य)Root तद् (सर्वनाम)
- ईम्
- indeed; themIndeclinableनिपात/अव्ययRoot ईम् (निपात)
- अर्षन्ति
- they flow/moveVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole क्रियाRoot ऋष्/अर्ष् (अर्षँ ‘गत्यर्थ/प्रवाहे’)
- नमसा
- with reverence; by homageNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole करणRoot नमस् (प्रातिपदिक)
- पुनानाः
- purifying themselves; being purifiedParticipleस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (अर्षन्ति इत्यस्य; विशेषण)Root पू (पूञ् ‘शोधने/पवने’)
- ताः
- those (fem.)Pronounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (षन्ति इत्यस्य)Root तद् (सर्वनाम)
- ईम्
- indeed; themIndeclinableनिपात/अव्ययRoot ईम् (निपात)
- विश्वतः
- from all sides; all aroundIndeclinable (adverbial ablative)अव्यय (अर्थे: ‘सर्वतः’)Root विश्व (प्रातिपदिक)
- परि
- aroundIndeclinable (preverb)उपसर्गRoot परि (उपसर्ग/अव्यय)
- षन्ति
- they are; they existVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole क्रियाRoot सन्/अस् (अस् ‘भुवि’; वैदिक रूप ‘षन्ति’ = ‘सन्ति’)
- पूर्वीः
- many/ancient; former (fem. pl.)Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचनRole कर्तृ (षन्ति इत्यस्य; विशेषण)Root पूर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेद (वैदिक): चतस्रः | ईम् | घृतदुहः | सचन्ते | समाने | अन्तर्धरुणे | निषत्ताः || ताः | ईम् | अर्षन्ति | नमसा | पुनानाः | ताः | ईम् | विश्वतः | परि | षन्ति | पूर्वीः || 1) ‘चत॑स्र’ → ‘चतस्रः’ (प्रथमा-बहुवचन स्त्री; विसर्गः पदान्ते)
- 2) ‘घृत॒दुह॑:’ = घृत-दुह् (उपपद-समास; ‘दुह्’ धातोः कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
- 3) ‘अ॒न्तर्ध॒रुणे॒’ = अन्तर्+धरुणे (समास; सप्तमी एकवचन)
- 4) ‘निष॑त्ताः’ = नि+षद् → निषत्त (क्त), स्त्री प्रथमा बहु
- 5) ‘पुना॒नाः’ = पू धातोः शानच् (आत्मनेपदी वर्तमान कृदन्त)
- 6) ‘वि॒श्वत॒:’ अव्ययीभाव/तसिलन्त अव्यय ‘सर्वतः’
- 7) ‘षन्ति’ वैदिक-रूपम् ‘सन्ति’ (सकारस्य षकारादेशः वैदिक-प्रयोगे)
The meaning
Outer meaning
Four ghee-milking powers cleave to him, seated together in the inner foundation. They make him flow, purifying him by reverence; they encompass him from every side, those ancient ones.
Inner meaning
The ‘four ghee-milking’ powers are four sustaining streams of clarified consciousness—often read as fourfold energies (e.g., four directions of mind, four faculties, or four cosmic powers) that ‘milk’ ghṛta: the clarified light-substance of truth and right will. Seated in the ‘inner foundation’ (antar dharuṇe), they stabilize the Soma-flow. Through namas (reverent surrender/attunement), purification becomes effective: the bliss-current is made to stream in a protected field, surrounded by timeless (pūrvīḥ) supporting powers.
Universal truth
Lasting transformation needs a stable inner base and a coordinated fourfold support. Reverence (humble alignment with the higher) purifies experience and allows the deeper sweetness to flow safely and universally through life.
Themes
Quaternity of powers, Purification, Ghṛta as luminous clarity, Encirclement/protection
The seer
- Other hymns
- RV 9.89 (sūkta), RV 9.76–9.79 (Soma surrounded by powers; purification by support—general parallels)
Family tradition
This verse reflects a contemplative, almost Upaniṣadic tendency within Soma hymns: inner foundation, stable seating, and reverent purification.
Significance
The seer emphasizes structural yoga: establish the inner base, invoke supporting powers, and let reverence do the subtle work of purification.
The deity
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Epithets
- punāna (purifying), madhumat (honeyed—contextual)
- Related deities
- Aditi (by ‘encompassing’ protection, thematic), Agni (as inner sacrifice leader, complementary)
Cosmic role
Soma as the flow that is sustained by cosmic powers and made fit for divine enjoyment and human awakening.
Inner power
Bliss-clarity held by stable supports; a protected current of refined consciousness.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma purification/filtration with attendant actions (washing, straining, collecting)
चत॑स्र ईं घृत॒दुह॑: सचन्ते समा॒ने अ॒न्तर्ध॒रुणे॒ निष॑त्ताः । ता ई॑मर्षन्ति॒ नम॑सा पुना॒नास्ता ईं॑ वि॒श्वत॒: परि॑ षन्ति पू॒र्वीः ॥
चत॑स्रः । ई॒म् । घृ॒त॒ऽदुहः॑ । स॒च॒न्ते॒ । स॒मा॒ने । अ॒न्तः । ध॒रुणे॑ । निऽस॑त्ताः । ताः । ई॒म् । अ॒र्ष॒न्ति॒ । नम॑सा । पु॒ना॒नाः । ताः । ई॒म् । वि॒श्वतः॑ । परि॑ । स॒न्ति॒ । पू॒र्वीः ॥
catasraḥ | īm | ghṛta-duhaḥ | sacante | samāne | antaḥ | dharuṇe | ni-sattāḥ | tāḥ | īm | arṣanti | namasā | punānāḥ | tāḥ | īm | viśvataḥ | pari | santi | pūrvīḥ
44
4 × ~11
Stabilizing and enclosing; cadence feels ‘seated’ and containing.
Creates a sense of protected space; supports inward settling and reverent attention.
- catasraḥ
- Literal: four. Symbolic: fourfold order/support (integrality, completeness of the working)
- ghṛtaduhaḥ
- Literal: ghee-milking. Symbolic: powers that draw/express clarified light (ghṛta) from the depths
- antar dharuṇe
- Literal: in the inner foundation/support. Symbolic: the stable inner plane where consciousness can be seated and held
- niṣattāḥ
- Literal: seated, settled. Symbolic: established states, not passing moods
- arṣanti
- Literal: they make flow. Symbolic: release of the stream of bliss/clarity through channels
- namasā
- Literal: by reverence, obeisance. Symbolic: surrender/consent that aligns the lower with the higher
- punānāḥ
- Literal: purifying. Symbolic: refining mixture of mind-vital into clarity
- viśvataḥ pari ṣanti
- Literal: they surround from all sides. Symbolic: protective containment; integral safeguarding of the process
- pūrvīḥ
- Literal: ancient ones. Symbolic: primordial powers/principles always available in the cosmic order
Soma clarified and made to flow with ghṛta associations; recitation supports the ‘clarifying’ (pavana/pū) phase and the surrounding protective/structuring powers.
During pavamāna recitations as Soma is refined and prepared
Chant accompanies purification; evokes supporting powers around the Soma
For creating an ‘inner container’ before deep meditation—invoke fourfold support (body-breath-mind-heart) and purify by reverent quietude.
ghṛta ‘clarified butter’ from √ghṛ ‘to shine/sprinkle’ (Vedic ghṛta often connotes luminous clarity, ‘clarified’ consciousness). √sac ‘accompany’ marks intimate association. dharuṇa from √dhṛ ‘hold’ (PIE *dʰer- ‘hold’). √pū ‘purify’ frames the pavamāna process. The quaternity can be read as four sustaining powers/currents (often linked with directions, measures, or foundational energies).
purification by namas (reverent alignment), foundation/support (dharuṇa), primordial ordering powers
Fourfold support suggests ṛta as structural harmony that holds the flow.
Ghṛta implies luminous truth that can be ‘milked’ into expression.
Stabilization of the flow in an inner base—creation as formation and containment.
Vedāntic-yogic resonance: inner foundation (antar dharuṇa) as locus of steady consciousness.
Ghee=clarified light/essence; four powers=fourfold completeness; inner foundation=stable inner plane; surrounding=protective integral awareness.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The quaternity of primordial supporters who ‘milk’ clarity and set Soma flowing: a structural mythologem where cosmic order is upheld by foundational powers that purify and surround the divine essence, ensuring its safe and complete manifestation.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- dharuṇa from √dhṛ continues PIE *dʰer- ‘hold’. The encircling-from-all-sides formula (viśvataḥ pari) reflects an archaic poetic technique of totalization found across IE traditions.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi emphasizes that Soma’s effective presence depends on supportive cosmic/inner agencies and on namas (reverent consent). The devotee’s reverence cooperates with these ‘ancient ones’ to make the delight-essence flow in a stable, protected foundation.
Establish the inner foundation; invite fourfold supports to hold and purify the bliss-current.
Mūlādhāra (foundation) supporting rise toward Anāhata (reverent namas)
Box-breath (4-4-4-4) to ‘seat’ awareness; then a soft lengthened exhale to let Soma ‘flow’.
Contained stillness with a gentle inner streaming.
Name your four supports (body steadiness, breath calm, mind clarity, heart reverence). Feel them around you like guardians; then allow sweetness to circulate without spilling into restlessness.
Let udātta highlight ‘cátasraḥ’ and ‘ghṛtadúhaḥ’; soften into anudātta stretches for the ‘seated’ quality; rise again on ‘namasā’ and ‘punānāḥ’.
Keep pāda breaks clear; the mantra benefits from a slight pause after ‘niṣattāḥ’ to feel ‘seatedness’.
ghṛta: vocalic ‘ṛ’—short, centered tongue position, niṣattāḥ: retroflex ‘ṣ’, double ‘tt’ held, arṣanti: retroflex ‘ṣ’ with light ‘r’, viśvataḥ: ‘śv’ cluster clean, no extra vowel
Soft, contained, reverent; minimal vibrato; emphasize steadiness.
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