Rig Veda Sukta 76
Mandala 9Sukta 765 Mantras

Sukta 76

Sukta 9.76

Himne Pavamāna yang ringkas ini memuji Soma ketika ia mengalir melalui penyucian: sari yang menegakkan langit, mahir seperti dewa, dilepaskan ke dalam “sungai-sungai” (saluran) dan dijadikan layak untuk kenikmatan para dewa. Berulang kali ia mengaitkan gelora Soma yang telah dijernihkan dengan penguatan Indra—memasuki bejana-bejana batin, membangunkan alam-alam bagaikan kilat, serta menganugerahkan tenaga dan kemenangan kepada para pemuja.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.76

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Soma PavamanaSoma Pavamāna

    Soma is the pressed plant-juice and its deified power, ‘pavamāna’ when it is flowing and self-purifying through the woolen filter into the waters; he is called hari (tawny), vṛṣabha (bull), and a potent rasa (essence).

Mantras

Mantra 1

धर्ता दिवः पवते कृत्व्यो रसो दक्षो देवानामनुमाद्यो नृभिः । हरिः सृजानो अत्यो न सत्वभिर्वृथा पाजांसि कृणुते नदीष्वा ॥

Penyokong langit mengalir dalam pemurnian—sari yang berkesan, kemahiran para dewa, untuk dinikmati oleh daya-daya insan. Yang keemasan, dilepaskan, laksana kuda jantan dengan kekuatannya, membentuk tenaga-tenaga agungnya dengan bebas tatkala ia memasuki sungai-sungai (saluran-saluran aliran kesedaran).

Mantra 2

शूरो न धत्त आयुधा गभस्त्योः स्वः सिषासन्रथिरो गविष्टिषु । इन्द्रस्य शुष्ममीरयन्नपस्युभिरिन्दुर्हिन्वानो अज्यते मनीषिभिः ॥

Laksana wira ia menggenggam senjata di tangannya; mendambakan alam bercahaya, teguh di lintasan kereta dalam pencarian Sinar-Sinar. Membangkitkan daya-perkasa Indra dengan karya-karya kehendak, titisan itu, didorong maju, diurapi oleh fikiran para resi.

Mantra 3

इन्द्रस्य सोम पवमान ऊर्मिणा तविष्यमाणो जठरेष्वा विश । प्र णः पिन्व विद्युदभ्रेव रोदसी धिया न वाजाँ उप मासि शश्वतः ॥

Wahai Soma, tatkala engkau menyucikan dirimu bagi Indra, masuklah dengan gelombangmu yang meluap ke dalam bejana-bejana batin, kian bertambah dalam kekuatan. Suburkanlah kami: seperti kilat di dalam awan yang membangunkan dua alam; mendekatlah dengan kelimpahan daya, dengan dhī (ilham fikiran), untuk selama-lamanya.

Mantra 4

विश्वस्य राजा पवते स्वर्दृश ऋतस्य धीतिमृषिषाळवीवशत् । यः सूर्यस्यासिरेण मृज्यते पिता मतीनामसमष्टकाव्यः ॥

Raja segala aliran, ia mengalir dalam penyucian, memandang alam yang bercahaya; ia membangunkan ilham-fikiran ṛta (Kebenaran Kosmik), pematah kepalsuan para “resi”. Dia yang dibersihkan oleh mata tajam Surya menjadi Bapa bagi segala pemikiran terilham, penyair dengan sintesis yang tiada banding.

Mantra 5

वृषेव यूथा परि कोशमर्षस्यपामुपस्थे वृषभः कनिक्रदत् । स इन्द्राय पवसे मत्सरिन्तमो यथा जेषाम समिथे त्वोतयः ॥

Seperti banteng di tengah kawanan, engkau menerjah mengelilingi bejana; di pangkuan air sang banteng mengaum. Bagi Indra engkau menyucikan dirimu, paling menggetarkan dalam kemabukanmu, agar kami menang dalam pertempuran dengan pertolonganmu.

Inside Sukta 76

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma is hailed as the effective, god-skilled essence that upholds heaven and pours into the channels of flow as he is released.

  2. Development

    The hymn intensifies Soma’s motion and power: he surges like a wave, enters inner receptacles, and awakens the two worlds like lightning—bringing increase and plenitude.

  3. Climax

    Soma, bull-like and roaring in the lap of the waters, is explicitly purified for Indra as the most exhilarating force.

  4. Where it settles

    The praise resolves into a practical boon: empowered by Soma-for-Indra, the worshippers ask for enduring increase and conquest in contest/battle through his aid.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • Cosmic functionHe mediates between gods and humans as the consecrated essence that strengthens Indra and other deities, sustains the order of heaven, and renews vitality through the ritual flow from pressing to clarified offering.
  • Inner significanceThe hymn treats purification as an inner alchemy: the surge of inspired consciousness (Soma) enters the ‘bellies’ (receptacles of awareness), awakens the worlds, and converts raw impulse into luminous strength, clarity, and victorious will.

Famous verses

dhartā divaḥ pavate
Verse 9.76.1Defines Soma’s identity as ‘heaven-upholder’ and ‘effective essence,’ and frames purification as a powerful release into the ‘rivers’ (ritual and inner channels).Read verse 9.76.1 →
इन्द्रस्य सोम पवमान ऊर्मिणा तविष्यमाणो जठरेष्वा विश । प्र णः पिन्व विद्युदभ्रेव रोदसी धिया न वाजाँ उप मासि शश्वतः ॥
Verse 9.76.3Links Soma’s purifying surge directly to Indra and to inner awakening—entering the ‘bellies’ and brightening the worlds like lightning—while praying for increase and lasting plenitude.Read verse 9.76.3 →
yathā jeṣāma samithe tvotayaḥ
Verse 9.76.5Vivid climax image (bull circling the vessel, roaring in the waters) and the explicit aim: Soma purified for Indra so the patrons may win in battle with his help.Read verse 9.76.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Self-purifying flow (pavamāna)
  • Tawny brilliance (hari)
  • Bull-like virility and roar (vṛṣabha)
  • Wave/surge of power (ūrmi)
  • Indra-energizing intoxication (matsara)
  • Heaven-upholding essence (dhartā divaḥ)

Also by this seer

  • Part of the wider Pavamāna tradition of Maṇḍala 9 hymns used in Soma pressing and filtration liturgy
  • Thematic parallels to other RV 9 hymns describing Soma as ‘hari’ (tawny), ‘vṛṣabha’ (bull), and as entering the waters/filters

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma stalks and express the juice (savana)
  • Mix/guide the flow with water; direct it toward the filter (pavitra)
  • Filter through wool/grass; collect in the vessel (kośa)
  • Recite Pavamāna verses as Soma ‘runs’ and clarifies
  • Offer clarified Soma as libation to Indra (and allied deities)
  • Conclude with petitions for strength, increase, and victory for the sacrificers

Offerings

  • Clarified Soma juice (filtered)
  • Water used in purification/flow
  • Optional accompanying oblations customary to the rite (e.g., ghee in related fire offerings)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn praises Soma in his Pavamāna form—Soma as he flows and purifies through the filter and waters, becoming fit to be offered to the gods, especially Indra.

It refers to the ritual filtration of Soma juice through the pavitra (sieve), and also symbolizes inner clarification—turning raw energy into luminous strength and clear inspiration.

Because Soma is offered to empower Indra, the god of force and conquest; the hymn asks that this Indra-strengthening Soma help the worshippers win in contests and overcome obstacles.

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