Rig Veda 9.70.7: Mandala 9, Sukta 70, Mantra 7
Sukta 9.70
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Rasa
- Vira (heroism) and Adbhuta (wonder)
रुवति भीमो वृषभस्तविष्यया शृङ्गे शिशानो हरिणी विचक्षणः । आ योनिं सोमः सुकृतं नि षीदति गव्ययी त्वग्भवति निर्णिगव्ययी ॥
ruvátī bhīmó vṛṣabhás taviṣyáyā śṛ́ṅge śíśāno háriṇī vi-cákṣaṇaḥ | ā́ yóniṃ sómaḥ su-kṛ́taṃ ní ṣīdati gavyáyī tvág bhavati nirṇíg gavyáyī ||
గర్జిస్తూ, భయంకరుడైన ఆ వృషభుడు తన తవిష్యా (బల-తేజస్సు)తో తన శృంగాలను పదును చేస్తాడు—విస్తృతదృష్టిగల హరి (సువర్ణవర్ణుడు). సోముడు సుకృతమైన యోనిలోకి వచ్చి కూర్చుంటాడు; గో-జన్య చర్మం అతని దీప్తిమంతమైన వస్త్రం అవుతుంది, గో-జన్యమే అతని ప్రకాశించే ఆవరణం.
Word by Word
- रुवति
- roars, resoundsVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्र. 3, एकवचनRole Kriyā (मुख्य क्रिया)Root रु (धातु)
- भीमः
- terrible, awe-inspiringAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेषण-रूपेण कर्तृसम्बन्धी)Root भीम (प्रातिपदिक)
- वृषभः
- the bull (Soma)Nounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot वृषभ (प्रातिपदिक)
- तविष्यया
- with might, by strengthNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचनRole KaraṇaRoot तविष्य (प्रातिपदिक)
- शृङ्गे
- (his) two hornsNounनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्विवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (द्विवचन-रूप)Role Karma (शिशानो इत्यस्य)Root शृङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
- शिशानः
- sharpening, whettingParticiple (Adjectival)वर्तमान कृदन्त (शानच्), परस्मैपद-परम्परा, पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (वृषभस्य विशेषणम्)Root शिश्/शि (धातु; तीक्ष्णीकरणे/शाणने) → शिशान (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक)
- हरिणी
- the two tawny (horns)Nounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्विवचन, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (द्विवचन-रूप)Role Karma (शिशानः इत्यस्य; शृङ्गे इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Root हरिणी (प्रातिपदिक)
- विचक्षणः
- clear-sighted, discerningAdjectiveपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (विशेषण-रूपेण)Root वि-चक्षण (प्रातिपदिक)
- आ
- to, towardIndeclinableउपसर्गः (गत्यर्थे/समन्तात्)Root आ (उपसर्ग/निपात)
- योनिम्
- womb; seat; sourceNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचनRole KarmaRoot योनि (प्रातिपदिक)
- सोमः
- SomaNounपुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot सोम (प्रातिपदिक)
- सुकृतम्
- well-made, well-preparedAdjectiveनपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन (योनिम् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role Karma (विशेषण-रूपेण)Root सु-कृत (प्रातिपदिक)
- नि
- down; in; intoIndeclinableउपसर्गः (अवरोहणे/निवेशे)Root नि (उपसर्ग/निपात)
- षीदति
- sits down, settlesVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्र. 3, एकवचनRole Kriyā (मुख्य क्रिया)Root सद् (धातु) + नि
- गव्ययी
- bovine; made of/pertaining to cattle (i.e., of cowhide)Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (त्वक् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Root गव्यय (प्रातिपदिक; ‘गव्यम्’/‘गो-सम्बन्धि’)
- त्वक्
- skin, hideNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole KartāRoot त्वच्/त्वक् (प्रातिपदिक)
- भवति
- becomesVerbलट् (वर्तमान), परस्मैपद, प्र. 3, एकवचनRole KriyāRoot भू (धातु)
- निर्णिक्
- outer covering, garment, sheen/vestureNounस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचनRole Kartā (भवति इत्यस्य)Root निर्-णिज्/णिज् (प्रातिपदिक; ‘आवरण/वस्त्र/परिधान’ अर्थे)
- गव्ययी
- bovine; of cowhide (as covering)Adjectiveस्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन (निर्णिक् इत्यस्य विशेषणम्)Role Kartā (विशेषण-रूपेण)Root गव्यय (प्रातिपदिक)
Sandhi Notes
- पदच्छेदः (सन्धिविग्रह): रुवति | भीमः | वृषभः | तविष्यया | शृङ्गे | शिशानः | हरिणी | विचक्षणः || आ | योनिम् | सोमः | सुकृतम् | नि | षीदति | गव्ययी | त्वक् | भवति | निर्णिक् | गव्ययी || 1) ‘सोम:’ इति विसर्गः पदान्तः। 2) ‘नि षीदति’ इत्यत्र उपसर्ग ‘नि’ + ‘षीदति’ (सद्-धातोः) — संहितायां ‘निषीदति’ रूपं भवति। 3) ‘शृङ्गे हरिणी’ द्विवचन-रूपे
- ‘हरिणी’ विशेषणम्। 4) ‘निर्णिग्गव्ययी’ संहितारूपे ‘निर्णिक् गव्ययी’ (पदान्त-क् + ग- आरम्भ) इति पदच्छेदः।
The meaning
Outer meaning
Roaring, formidable, the bull sharpens his horns with might; the tawny one, wide-seeing. Soma sits in the well-made womb; a cow-born skin becomes his shining garment, cow-born his radiant robe.
Inner meaning
As Soma intensifies, it becomes a formidable power that ‘roars’—a consciousness-force announcing itself. The bull sharpens horns: the will and discernment become keen instruments to pierce coverings. ‘Tawny, wide-seeing’ indicates a golden light of comprehensive vision. Entering the ‘well-made womb’ (sukṛta yoni) is the descent of delight into a prepared psychic/inner vessel where it can be held and organized. The ‘cow-born skin/robe’ signifies that Soma is clothed in rays of knowledge (go): illumination becomes its very body and radiance.
Universal truth
Spiritual power must be both intense and contained: when the vessel is well-prepared, the force descends safely and is naturally clothed in knowledge, becoming a stable radiance rather than a fleeting excitement.
Themes
installation of Soma, formation of luminous body, power and discernment
The seer
- Rishi
- An unknown seer of the Soma Pavamāna mandala (Rig Veda 9)
- Other hymns
- Rig Veda 9.70.1-9
Significance
The verse shows a yogic technology: intensify (roar, sharpen) and then stabilize (sit in the womb). It reads like an instruction for safely embodying a higher force.
The deity
- Devata
- Soma Pavamāna
- Epithets
- vṛṣabha (bull), hari (tawny), vicakṣaṇa (wide-seeing)
- Related deities
- Indra, Aditi (as womb/matrix, thematic), Uṣas (golden illumination, thematic)
Cosmic role
A descending-ascending current: it rises as force and vision, and also ‘sits’ in the prepared matrix to become a stable luminous substance.
Inner power
Ananda empowered into tapas and vision; then organized into a psychic containment that radiates as knowledge.
In ritual
Where it is used
Soma filtration and offering preparation
रु॒वति॑ भी॒मो वृ॑ष॒भस्त॑वि॒ष्यया॒ शृङ्गे॒ शिशा॑नो॒ हरि॑णी विचक्ष॒णः । आ योनिं॒ सोम॒: सुकृ॑तं॒ नि षी॑दति ग॒व्ययी॒ त्वग्भ॑वति नि॒र्णिग॒व्ययी॑ ॥
रु॒वति॑ । भी॒मः । वृ॒ष॒भः । त॒वि॒ष्यया॑ । शृङ्गे॒ इति॑ । शिशा॑नः । हरि॑णी॒ इति॑ । वि॒ऽच॒क्ष॒णः । आ । योनि॑म् । सोमः॑ । सुऽकृ॑तम् । नि । सी॒द॒ति॒ । ग॒व्ययी॑ । त्वक् । भ॒व॒ति॒ । निः॒ऽनिक् । अ॒व्ययी॑ ॥
ruvati | bhīmaḥ | vṛṣabhaḥ | taviṣyayā | śṛṅgeiti | śiśānaḥ | hariṇī iti | vi-cakṣaṇaḥ | ā | yonim | somaḥ | su-kṛtam | ni | sīdati | gavyayī | tvak | bhavati | niḥ-nik | avyayī
32
4 × ~8
Strong alliteration and consonant clusters give a ‘roaring’ propulsion; then a settling cadence in the second half.
Builds intensity then grounds it—useful for moving from energization into steady concentration.
- ruvati
- Literal: roaring. Symbolic: audible/inevitable emergence of inner force; mantra-vibration becoming potent
- bhīmaḥ
- Literal: formidable. Symbolic: awe-inspiring tapas; uncompromising truth-force
- vṛṣabhaḥ
- Literal: bull. Symbolic: sovereign energy of mastery
- śṛṅge śiśānaḥ
- Literal: sharpening the horns. Symbolic: making the powers of penetration (will/discernment) keen
- hariṇī
- Literal: tawny/golden one. Symbolic: golden illumination; clarified consciousness
- vicakṣaṇaḥ
- Literal: wide-seeing. Symbolic: integral vision beyond narrow mind
- yoniṃ sukṛtam
- Literal: well-made womb. Symbolic: prepared inner receptacle (psychic vessel) for descent of force
- gavyayī tvak / nirṇig
- Literal: cow-born skin / shining garment. Symbolic: body of rays: knowledge as substance and aura of the delight-force
Soma entering the ‘yoni’ (vat/pressing vessel; also the filter-seat); inner sense: descent and stabilisation of force into a prepared psychic foundation.
During moments emphasizing Soma’s strength and readiness to be seated/placed for offering
Chant while Soma is collected/settled after filtering; affirm containment and radiance
A mantra for ‘holding power’: use when energy is high but needs a calm vessel (avoid agitation; cultivate steady luminous embodiment).
(yoni) ‘womb/seat’ from √yu ‘to join/contain’ semantic field; a locus of generation/establishment. (vi-cakṣaṇa) from √cakṣ ‘to see’ (PIE *kʷekʷ- ‘see’ debated) → discernment. (gavya) from go ‘cow/ray’ + -ya; in symbolic reading ‘made of light/knowledge’.
yoni as foundation of manifestation, radiance-body (nirṇij), go as knowledge/light
Sukṛta yoni implies right formation; force becomes safe and fruitful when aligned with right order.
Wide-seeing vision (vicakṣaṇa) as truth-perception rather than opinion.
Descent into the womb: higher force entering form; light clothing itself in rays (go) to manifest.
Integral-yogic reading: descent + embodiment; knowledge as substance of manifestation.
Roar = awakened force; horns = penetrating will; womb = psychic containment; cow-skin/robe = rays of knowledge forming the aura/body.
- What is the primary Vedic 'mythologem' present in this verse?
- The bull Soma sharpening horns and taking seat in the yoni—mythically the potent god entering the ritual womb; psychologically the concentrated force installs itself in a rightly prepared inner base and forms a protective luminous ‘skin/robe’ of knowledge.
- How does the linguistic structure reflect Proto-Indo-European roots?
- √cakṣ ‘see’ belongs to an old Indo-European ‘seeing’ vocabulary (cf. Latin cēnseō ‘judge/assess’ is not direct but shows related semantic domains of perception/judgment). go ‘cow’ as a central IE poetic symbol has wide reflexes (e.g., Greek boûs), supporting the inherited metaphorics.
- What is the relationship between the Rishi and the Devata here?
- The rishi describes a yogic ‘installation’: the sacrificer prepares the su-kṛta yoni (rightly formed seat), and Soma responds by settling there and clothing the being with gavyayī radiance—knowledge as protection and beauty.
Intensify aspiration (sharpen the ‘horns’ of will and discernment) and then seat the force in a calm inner womb (heart/psychic).
Maṇipūra (force) harmonized into Anāhata (containment/psychic)
3 energizing breaths (slightly stronger exhale), then shift to slow diaphragmatic breathing while reciting
Power-with-poise: energized yet contained, luminous and steady.
Visualize a golden current entering a heart-lotus ‘yoni’ prepared by sincerity; feel a robe of light (go-rays) forming around you as protection and clarity.
Keep a strong rise on ‘ruvati bhīmo’ and ‘vṛṣabhas’; soften and lengthen slightly on ‘ā yoniṃ somaḥ’ to mark the ‘seating’.
Two-phase delivery: vigorous first half (force/roar), settled second half (ni ṣīdati).
ruvati: ‘ru-va-ti’ clear, not ‘ravati’, bhīmaḥ: long ‘ī’, taviṣyayā: articulate ‘ṣy’ cluster carefully, vicakṣaṇaḥ: ‘vi-cak-ṣa-ṇaḥ’ with retroflex ‘ṣ’, ni ṣīdati: retroflex ‘ṣ’, long ‘ī’ in ṣīdati, gavyayī: ‘ga-vya-yī’ with long final ‘ī’
Start resonant and bold; transition to steady, luminous softness.
7
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