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)

《梨俱吠陀》9.2为苏摩·帕瓦玛那(净化中的苏摩)之赞歌:先见催促苏摩穿流滤器(pavitra),在净化中变得光辉、强劲,堪为供献。苏摩既净,便被召请“进入因陀罗”,以增益神圣的英雄气概、胜利与祭祀事业。末段赞颂苏摩为祭(yajña)中自古常在的内在自我,是使供献得以成就、令祭仪生效的根本力量。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.2

Mantras

Mantra 1

पवस्व देववीरति पवित्रं सोम रंह्या । इन्द्रमिन्दो वृषा विश ॥

流吧,苏摩,向着神圣的勇力;越过滤网,奔入净化之道。因陀啊,雄牛般的滴露,进入因陀罗。

Mantra 2

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

请被宣唱而显现吧——噢伟大的倾注者,噢如公牛般的因度(Indu),最富光辉威力者;请入坐于胎藏(yoni),安住于我们之内祭仪那坚固建立的居处。

Mantra 3

अधुक्षत प्रियं मधु धारा सुतस्य वेधसः । अपो वसिष्ट सुक्रतुः ॥

他们已挤出可爱的甘蜜:为智巧的造作者(Védhas)而榨取之苏摩(Soma)的流注。噢瓦西什塔(Vasiṣṭha),诸水在善智之意志引导下,承载并澄明那甘甜于我们之内。

Mantra 4

महान्तं त्वा महीरन्वापो अर्षन्ति सिन्धवः । यद्गोभिर्वासयिष्यसे ॥

伟大的诸水、强盛的诸河,随你而流,噢广大者;当你将披覆以光明之牛群(go)——当喜悦被包裹在知识之光形之中。

Mantra 5

समुद्रो अप्सु मामृजे विष्टम्भो धरुणो दिवः । सोमः पवित्रे अस्मयुः ॥

海洋在诸水之中被澄明;广为安住的支撑、持天之柱——苏摩(Soma)在净滤器(pavitra)中向我等趋来,引我等之存在归于坚固与广大。

Mantra 6

अचिक्रदद्वृषा हरिर्महान्मित्रो न दर्शतः । सं सूर्येण रोचते ॥

那雄健的赭黄之力高声呼号——广大,悦目如友;与太阳同和而辉耀:欢悦与真光合一。

Mantra 7

गिरस्त इन्द ओजसा मर्मृज्यन्ते अपस्युवः । याभिर्मदाय शुम्भसे ॥

因陀(Indu)啊,你的言辞以威力而被洗净——那些渴求行作之者;凭借它们,你为狂喜而被装饰:净化为力量的咒语,成为内在欢悦的饰冠。

Mantra 8

तं त्वा मदाय घृष्वय उ लोककृत्नुमीमहे । तव प्रशस्तयो महीः ॥

我们为狂喜而求汝,哦炽烈奋发者,成就诸世界之全体者;汝之颂赞广大无边。

Mantra 9

अस्मभ्यमिन्दविन्द्रयुर्मध्वः पवस्व धारया । पर्जन्यो वृष्टिमाँ इव ॥

为我们,哦因度(Indu),渴慕因陀罗者,以蜜般之甘流,循着恒常之流而净化奔涌;如降雨丰沛的帕尔迦尼亚(Parjanya)一般。

Mantra 10

गोषा इन्दो नृषा अस्यश्वसा वाजसा उत । आत्मा यज्ञस्य पूर्व्यः ॥

哦因度(Indu),汝赐牛群之丰、赐人群之盛;赐骏马之迅,亦赐力量之充盈。汝乃祭祀之古老自我,最内在之精髓。

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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