Rig Veda Sukta 19
Mandala 9Sukta 197 Mantras

Sukta 19

Sukta 9.19

Rishi

Ascribed generally in RV 9 (Pavamāna Maṇḍala) to Soma-pavamāna seers; specific attribution for 9.19 varies by tradition (often treated as Soma hymns of the Pavamanas rather than a single fixed r̥ṣi).

Devata

Soma Pavamāna (the purifying Soma)

Chandas

Gāyatrī (3 pādas × 8 syllables; typical for many Soma-pavamāna verses)

这首简短的苏摩—帕瓦玛那赞歌颂扬苏摩在滤器中被净化之时,祈请他从天与地两处带来“光辉的珍宝”。诗中交织祭祀意象(澄清流淌的饮液及其滋养之力)与切实的祈愿:愿苏摩净化后的威能也能制伏仇敌,无论近处或远方。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.19

Mantras

Mantra 1

यत्सोम चित्रमुक्थ्यं दिव्यं पार्थिवं वसु । तन्नः पुनान आ भर ॥

苏摩啊,凡那光辉而多姿之财宝——堪受颂歌者,既属天亦属地——愿汝自净之时,将其带来赐与我等。

Mantra 2

युवं हि स्थः स्वर्पती इन्द्रश्च सोम गोपती । ईशाना पिप्यतं धियः ॥

你们二位确是光辉天界之主——因陀罗与苏摩,光芒之守护者;以主宰之威,愿你们增长并充盈我们的思虑,使之具足光明之力。

Mantra 3

वृषा पुनान आयुषु स्तनयन्नधि बर्हिषि । हरिः सन्योनिमासदत् ॥

雄牛自净于生命之流,轰然如雷,已就座于圣草之上;那金褐者趋于成就,进入祭仪之胎。

Mantra 4

अवावशन्त धीतयो वृषभस्याधि रेतसि । सूनोर्वत्सस्य मातरः ॥

受灵感的思虑在雄牛的精种之上应声低鸣;幼犊之母——新生之光的养育者——前来照护并哺育它。

Mantra 5

कुविद्वृषण्यन्तीभ्यः पुनानो गर्भमादधत् । याः शुक्रं दुहते पयः ॥

愿他在净化之时,将胚胎安置于那些炽烈、负载雄力的诸力之中——她们挤取出光明之乳(澄净的辉耀精髓)。

Mantra 6

उप शिक्षापतस्थुषो भियसमा धेहि शत्रुषु । पवमान विदा रयिम् ॥

请在近旁教导我们;把恐惧加诸那些将起而敌对我们的仇敌。噢,Pavamāna(净化者),为我们赢得丰盈之财与存在之充实(rāyí)。

Mantra 7

नि शत्रोः सोम वृष्ण्यं नि शुष्मं नि वयस्तिर । दूरे वा सतो अन्ति वा ॥

噢,Soma啊,击倒仇敌的雄武之力;击倒他的冲势,击倒他推进之能——无论他立于远处,或在近旁。

Inside Sukta 19

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Invocation to Soma as he purifies himself, asking him to bring manifold treasure—divine and earthly (9.19.1).

  2. Development

    Ritual-poetic imagery intensifies: inspired thoughts respond, and nurturing “Mothers” foster the newborn, potent essence emerging from the Bull’s seed (9.19.4).

  3. Climax

    Soma’s purified power is asked to act as a warrior-force, breaking the adversary’s strength and forward drive.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes with a protective sweep—Soma casts down hostile power whether it is distant or near (9.19.7), sealing the rite with assurance of defense.

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaSoma is praised as the radiant, honeyed draught that rushes through the woolen filter, becoming clear, strong, and fit for Indra and the gods; he is “ukthya” (worthy of hymns) and a giver of varied riches.
  • Cosmic functionMediator of vitality and order: Soma’s clarified flow sustains the gods, strengthens Indra for victory, and helps secure prosperity, protection, and right increase for the sacrificers.
  • Inner significanceThe purification of Soma mirrors inner clarification—refining thought and speech (dhī), concentrating life-force, and transforming raw impulse into luminous, disciplined power that overcomes inner and outer adversaries.

The seer

  • Pavamāna Soma seers (Soma-pavamāna ṛṣayaḥ)Collective seer-tradition of Maṇḍala 9 that voices Soma’s purification (pavamāna) as a liturgical-poetic cycle rather than a single fixed author.

Famous verses

यत्सोम चित्रमुक्थ्यं दिव्यं पार्थिवं वसु । तन्नः पुनान आ भर ॥
Verse 9.19.1Sets the hymn’s central petition: as Soma clarifies, he is entreated to bring ‘bright’ wealth from both celestial and terrestrial realms, linking purification with prosperity.Read verse 9.19.1 →
अवावशन्त धीतयो वृषभस्याधि रेतसि । सूनोर्वत्सस्य मातरः ॥
Verse 9.19.4A dense symbolic verse: dhītayaḥ (inspired thoughts) and the ‘Mothers’ nurture the emerging potency, portraying Soma’s generation/refinement as both cosmic and psychological.Read verse 9.19.4 →
नि शत्रोः सोम वृष्ण्यं नि शुष्मं नि वयस्तिर । दूरे वा सतो अन्ति वा ॥
Verse 9.19.7Culminating protective prayer: Soma’s purified vigor is weaponized against hostility, emphasizing practical safeguarding as a fruit of the rite.Read verse 9.19.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Purifying flow (pavamāna)
  • Radiance/brightness (citra, śukra sense)
  • Bestower of heavenly and earthly wealth
  • Invigorator and protector in conflict
  • Linked with inspired thought (dhītayaḥ) and nurturing powers (“Mothers”)

Also by this seer

  • Most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 9 (Pavamāna Maṇḍala) Soma hymns
  • Development of recurring Soma imagery: filter (pavitra), stream/flow, brightness, invigorating power, and protection in ritual context

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma stalks and collect the expressed juice (savana context).
  • Mix/prepare with water; guide the flow toward the filter (pavitra).
  • Filter through wool/strainer while chanting Gāyatrī Soma-pavamāna verses.
  • Collect the clarified Soma; apportion for offerings to deities (commonly Indra and the Soma deities).
  • Offer libations with accompanying recitations; conclude with petitions for wealth and the weakening of hostile forces.

Offerings

  • Clarified Soma libations
  • Water used in mixing/flow
  • Associated oblations in the Soma rite (as prescribed in Śrauta practice)

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Soma, while he is being purified, to bring bright treasures (both heavenly and earthly) and to protect the worshippers by reducing hostile forces.

In the Soma ritual, the expressed juice is strained through a filter (often wool). The hymn poetically treats this as a sacred refining that makes Soma radiant, powerful, and fit to be offered.

They are nurturing powers associated with the rite—often understood as the waters, the filtering elements, or supportive divine forces that foster the newly clarified Soma and the light/strength it symbolizes.

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