Rig Veda Sukta 2
Mandala 9Sukta 210 Mantras

Sukta 2

Sukta 9.2

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for portions of RV 9.2; Soma Pavamāna context)

Devata

Soma Pavamāna (Soma in the act of purification), with explicit linkage to Indra

Chandas

Gāyatrī (3 pādas of 8 syllables typical for many Pavamāna verses)

RV 9.2 — гимн Соме Павамане: провидец побуждает Сому струиться через фильтр (pavitra), становясь сияющим, могучим и пригодным для жертвенного возлияния. По мере очищения Сому призывают «войти в Индру», чтобы он укрепил божественную доблесть, победу и совершение жертвенного дела. Гимн завершается восхвалением Сомы как древнего внутреннего Я жертвоприношения (yajña), как сущностной силы, делающей приношение действенным.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.2

Mantras

Mantra 1

पवस्व देववीरति पवित्रं सोम रंह्या । इन्द्रमिन्दो वृषा विश ॥

Теки, о Сома, к божественной доблести; через очиститель теки стремительно. Войди в Индру, о Индy, Бык.

Mantra 2

आ वच्यस्व महि प्सरो वृषेन्दो द्युम्नवत्तमः । आ योनिं धर्णसिः सदः ॥

Будь изречён, явись воочию, о могучее излияние; о Индy-бык, наибогатейший сияющей мощью. Войди в лоно, воссядь в прочно утверждённой обители обряда (сáдас) внутри нас.

Mantra 3

अधुक्षत प्रियं मधु धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । अपो वसिष्ट सुक्रतुः ॥

Выдоили они любимый мёд: потоки выжатой Сомы — для мудрого устроителя (ведхаса). О Васиштха, воды, ведомые благим разумным намерением (сукрату), несут и проясняют эту сладость в нас.

Mantra 4

महान्तं त्वा महीरन्वापो अर्षन्ति सिन्धवः । यद्गोभिर्वासयिष्यसे ॥

Великие воды, могучие реки, текут вслед за тобой, о Великий, когда ты будешь облачён лучами озарения — когда радость обвивается световыми образами знания.

Mantra 5

समुद्रो अप्सु मामृजे विष्टम्भो धरुणो दिवः । सोमः पवित्रे अस्मयुः ॥

Океан в водах очищается; опора, широко простирающаяся, держатель неба — Сома в очистителе, устремлённый к нам.

Mantra 6

अचिक्रदद्वृषा हरिर्महान्मित्रो न दर्शतः । सं सूर्येण रोचते ॥

Возгласил могучий бык, рыжий Хари — великий, как друг, приятный взору; он сияет вместе с Солнцем.

Mantra 7

गिरस्त इन्द ओजसा मर्मृज्यन्ते अपस्युवः । याभिर्मदाय शुम्भसे ॥

Твои речи, о Инду, силою очищаются — деятельные, жаждущие дела; ими ты украшаешься для опьянения (мада).

Mantra 8

तं त्वा मदाय घृष्वय उ लोककृत्नुमीमहे । तव प्रशस्तयो महीः ॥

Тебя мы ищем для упоения, о пламенно-яростный, создатель целокупных миров; велики твои восхваления.

Mantra 9

अस्मभ्यमिन्दविन्द्रयुर्मध्वः पवस्व धारया । पर्जन्यो वृष्टिमाँ इव ॥

Для нас, о Инду, жаждущий Индры, струись мёдом непрерывной струёй — как Парджанья, богатый дождём.

Mantra 10

गोषा इन्दो नृषा अस्यश्वसा वाजसा उत । आत्मा यज्ञस्य पूर्व्यः ॥

О Инду, ты — дарующий коровье богатство, дарующий мужей, дарующий коней, дарующий силу; ты — древний Атман жертвы.

Inside Sukta 2

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct imperative to Soma: flow beyond the sieve into swift, luminous motion, and enter Indra as invigorating power (RV 9.2.1).

  2. Development

    Soma’s purifying passage is portrayed as the emergence of radiant strength—tawny, mighty, friend-like—shining in consonance with the Sun and with ṛta-like clarity (cf. RV 9.2.6).

  3. Climax

    Soma’s identity expands from ritual drink to cosmic-psychic force: giver of rays, manhood, speed, and power, the very life of the sacrificial act.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn seals its praise by naming Soma the ancient Self of the yajña (ātmā yajñasya pūrvyaḥ), affirming that purified delight is the hidden efficacy within worship (RV 9.2.10).

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaSoma is the pressed and living draught that “flows” and is “purified” through the sieve, becoming radiant, tawny, and sun-like; he is addressed as Indu (the drop) and as a bull of power who exhilarates Indra.
  • Cosmic functionTransforms raw vitality into luminous strength: as the purifying current, Soma supports ṛta (truth-order), feeds the gods, and energizes Indra for world-protecting victory.
  • Inner significanceThe refining of consciousness—desire and life-force clarified into joy, clarity, and victorious will; the ‘filtered’ delight that can enter and strengthen the higher power (Indra) within.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (one of the Saptaṛṣi lineages) · Foremost among Vedic seers; renowned for spiritual authority, kingship-counsel, and hymns of harmony (notably the Mitra–Varuṇa vision).

Famous verses

pavasva … ati pavitram
Verse 9.2.1Sets the program of the whole sukta: Soma’s purification through the pavitra and his deliberate entry into Indra to awaken victorious divine force.Read verse 9.2.1 →
saṃ sūryeṇa rocate
Verse 9.2.6A vivid image of Soma’s awakened power and beauty—mighty, tawny, and ‘friend-like’—culminating in his shining union with the Sun (truth-light symbolism).Read verse 9.2.6 →
ātmā yajñasya pūrvyaḥ
Verse 9.2.10Doctrinal summit: Soma is praised not only as giver of boons but as the ‘ancient Self of the sacrifice,’ expressing the inner essence behind ritual efficacy.Read verse 9.2.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying flow (pavamāna) through the pavitra
  • Luminous, sun-allied radiance
  • Bull-like potency and exhilaration
  • Friendliness/beneficence (pleasant to behold, ‘like a friend’)
  • Yajña’s inner essence (ātmā yajñasya)
  • Bestower of rays, manly force, speed, and plenitude (goṣā, nṛṣā, aśvasā, vājasā)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Rigveda Maṇḍala 7 traditionally attributed to Vasiṣṭha and his clan
  • Hymns to Mitra–Varuṇa, Agni, Indra, and the Vasiṣṭha family corpus
  • Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with Dharma-teaching and royal priesthood (purohita) roles

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma plant and collect the expressed juice
  • Filter the juice through the pavitra (wool/strainer) while chanting Gāyatrī pavamāna verses
  • Mix/season according to rite (commonly with water and sometimes milk/curd) and clarify the flow
  • Offer libations to Indra (and associated deities) in the fire, inviting strength and victory
  • Distribute/partake according to ritual protocol, sealing the rite with praise and intention

Offerings

  • Filtered Soma (Indu) libations
  • Ghee (as accompanying oblation in the fire ritual context)
  • Water used in purification; milk/curd admixture where prescribed

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Soma while he is being filtered and purified, asking him to become radiant and powerful, and to strengthen Indra and the sacrificer’s victorious energy.

In Vedic ritual language, Soma is the invigorating drink that empowers Indra; symbolically, purified delight and clarity feed the higher will that overcomes obstacles.

It means “the ancient Self of the sacrifice”: Soma is portrayed as the innermost essence that makes the offering effective—both ritually as Soma-juice and inwardly as purified spiritual force.

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