Rig Veda Sukta 91
Mandala 9Sukta 916 Mantras

Sukta 91

Sukta 9.91

Rishi

Rebha Kāśyapa (common attribution for RV 9.91; verify in Anukramaṇī/critical apparatus)

Devata

Soma Pavamāna (with inner Agni/vahni as functional presence)

Chandas

Jagatī (probable; confirm metrically)

这首简短的《帕瓦玛那》赞歌颂扬苏摩:他被“放出”穿过羊毛滤器,似竞驰的战车奔向诸神的座处,并携带内在之火(vahni)。当苏摩得以净化时,人们祈请他击碎敌对之力(rakṣas),播散得胜的丰盈与战利(vājās),并最终赐予诸水、太阳的“母牛”(光线/启明之力)、子嗣、广阔田野,以及对太阳(真理之光)的恒久观照。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 9.91

Mantras

Mantra 1

असर्जि वक्वा रथ्ये यथाजौ धिया मनोता प्रथमो मनीषी । दश स्वसारो अधि सानो अव्येऽजन्ति वह्निं सदनान्यच्छ ॥

他被遣发——声力雄浑——如竞驰中的战车,由那允诺的思(dhī)所驱;在洞见中为先的圣智者。十位姊妹在羊毛之脊(滤绒)之上,驱策那承载之火(vahni),趋向诸神之座,趋向正当的居处。

Mantra 2

वीती जनस्य दिव्यस्य कव्यैरधि सुवानो नहुष्येभिरिन्दुः । प्र यो नृभिरमृतो मर्त्येभिर्मर्मृजानोऽविभिर्गोभिरद्भिः ॥

为使天上的神民得享祭飨,凭诗人之灵感,苏摩之滴与那胡什亚(Nahushya)之人同榨而出。它前行——在凡人中为不死者——被羊群(羊毛滤绒)、被牛群(光线)、并被诸水(澄明之流)洗炼而澄净。

Mantra 3

वृषा वृष्णे रोरुवदंशुरस्मै पवमानो रुशदीर्ते पयो गोः । सहस्रमृक्वा पथिभिर्वचोविदध्वस्मभिः सूरो अण्वं वि याति ॥

雄牛为雄牛而吼:那咆哮的光线归于他;净化中的(苏摩)升起而辉耀——母牛之乳。千声的圣见者,识言之智者;沿着我们的道路,太阳前行,铺展其微妙的行迹。

Mantra 4

रुजा दृळ्हा चिद्रक्षसः सदांसि पुनान इन्द ऊर्णुहि वि वाजान् । वृश्चोपरिष्टात्तुजता वधेन ये अन्ति दूरादुपनायमेषाम् ॥

击碎罗刹(Rakṣasa)坚固的座处;噢净化的因杜(Indu),展开并铺陈诸般vāja——胜利之力的丰盈。自上而下以击杀之器斩除那些,无论近或远,都逼迫并侵入我们道路的人。

Mantra 5

स प्रत्नवन्नव्यसे विश्ववार सूक्ताय पथः कृणुहि प्राचः । ये दुःषहासो वनुषा बृहन्तस्ताँस्ते अश्याम पुरुकृत्पुरुक्षो ॥

如同往昔,而又为那常新的(启示),噢万可欲的苏摩(Soma),为圣歌之言开辟向前的道路。那些在争战中迎面而来的、广大而难以承受的阻碍——愿我们凭你的威能越过它们,噢多所成就者,噢广行者。

Mantra 6

एवा पुनानो अपः स्वर्गा अस्मभ्यं तोका तनयानि भूरि । शं नः क्षेत्रमुरु ज्योतींषि सोम ज्योङ्नः सूर्यं दृशये रिरीहि ॥

如是,苏摩啊,既已净化,请为我们带来诸水——太阳界光明的母牛——并赐予我们丰饶的生育:子嗣与延续。愿我们的田域安宁而广阔;为我们扩展诸光。苏摩啊,愿你使太阳长久置于我们之前,令其可见——确立那真理之光的恒常观照。

Inside Sukta 91

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Soma is launched forth with a powerful voice, racing like a chariot; the ‘ten sisters’ on the woolen ridge drive the bearer-force toward the divine seats (9.91.1).

  2. Development

    Purification becomes power: Soma spreads vājās (victorious plenitudes) and is invoked to break and cut down hostile forces that threaten the path of the rite (cf. 9.91.4).

  3. Climax

    The hymn’s peak is the protective and expansive command—shatter rakṣas, unfold the forces of victory, and clear the way for right approach.

  4. Where it settles

    It resolves in beneficent boons: waters, solar cows (illumined powers), abundant progeny, broad peaceful fields, widened lights, and enduring vision of the Sun (9.91.6).

The deity: Soma Pavamāna

  • In the VedaSoma is the pressed and flowing sacred drink, praised as Indu (“bright drop”) as he runs through the sheep’s wool filter and becomes fit for the gods. He is simultaneously a luminous, truth-bearing power that drives toward the divine seats, carrying a ‘vahni’—a bearer-fire/impelling energy—within the rite.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between human and divine: by purification and offering he strengthens the gods, releases vitality and victory (vāja), and upholds ṛta by repelling disorder and hostile beings.
  • Inner significanceThe clarified consciousness: thoughts and energies are ‘filtered’ into clarity, gaining force to cut through inner obscurations and to establish a steady vision of the Sun—symbol of truth and awakened awareness.

The seer

  • Rebha KāśyapaKāśyapa gotra (traditional attribution in Anukramaṇī for this hymn) · A seer-voice associated with inspired utterance (rebha, “praise/chant”) and with Soma-Pavamāna hymns that link ritual purification to inner illumination and protection against hostile forces.

Famous verses

daśa svasāro adhi sāno avye
Verse 9.91.1Sets the core imagery of Pavamāna: Soma’s dynamic ‘sending forth,’ the woolen filter, and the ‘ten sisters’ driving the inner bearer-fire toward the gods’ abodes—linking ritual mechanics with cosmic movement.Read verse 9.91.1 →
रुजा दृळ्हा चिद्रक्षसः सदांसि पुनान इन्द ऊर्णुहि वि वाजान् । वृश्चोपरिष्टात्तुजता वधेन ये अन्ति दूरादुपनायमेषाम् ॥
Verse 9.91.4Central protective verse: Soma is asked to smash rakṣas strongholds and to spread vājās, while cutting down those who obstruct the path—showing Soma as both purifier and warrior-force.Read verse 9.91.4 →
jyoṅ naḥ sūryaṃ dṛśaye
Verse 9.91.6Concluding benediction: petitions for waters, solar cows, progeny, wide fields, widened lights, and long-lasting sight of the Sun—an explicit bridge from rite to life and from outer light to inner vision.Read verse 9.91.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Pavamāna (self-purifying/flowing)
  • Indu (bright drop)
  • Vāja-dātā (giver/spreader of victorious plenitude)
  • Rakṣo-han (breaker of hostile powers)
  • Sūrya-dṛś (establisher of solar vision)

Also by this seer

  • Attribution in tradition to several Soma-Pavamāna (Mandala 9) verses/hymns under Kāśyapa-associated seers (hymn-level attributions vary by recensional/Anukramaṇī lists).
  • Kāśyapa lineage is broadly prominent across the Rigveda and later Vedic/Itihāsa traditions as a foundational seer-family connected with cosmic order and progenitive continuity.

The rite, step by step

  • Press Soma and mix with water; set the flow toward the filter.
  • Chant Pavamāna verses as Soma runs over/through the woolen strainer (āvya sāna).
  • Direct the purified Soma toward the gods’ seats; accompany with protective intent against rakṣas and obstructions.
  • Offer clarified Soma into the proper cups/offerings for the deities, seeking vāja (strength/victory) and well-being.
  • Conclude with petitions for waters, ‘cows’ (rays/wealth), offspring, wide fields, and lasting sight of the Sun.

Offerings

  • Pressed Soma juice (pavamāna)
  • Water used in purification/mixing
  • Ghee/oblations as part of the Soma rite (contextual to the yajña)

Frequently Asked Questions

The hymn praises Soma Pavamāna—Soma as he flows and becomes purified through the woolen filter—also carrying an inner ‘vahni’ (impelling fire/bearer-force) in the ritual.

It is a ritual-poetic image for the filtering and guiding forces around Soma’s purification—often understood as the fingers/streams or agencies that drive the Soma over the woolen strainer toward the gods’ seats.

It asks for protection from hostile forces, the spreading of victorious strength (vāja), and blessings such as waters, ‘solar cows’ (rays/wealth), children and continuity, wide peaceful fields, and lasting sight of the Sun (truth-light).

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