Vedas: Rigveda Madnala – 08/10
📖 Rigveda Mandala 8 – The Mystical Sāma and the Voice of Inner Ecstasy
Echoes of Divine Music, Ecstasy, and Cosmic Flow
🔆 Introduction
Mandala 8 of the Rigveda consists of 103 hymns, a radiant collection that is largely attributed to Kaṇva Ṛṣis, with contributions from others such as Aṅgirasas. It is one of the most ecstatic, melodic, and experimental portions of the Rigveda, and forms a philosophical and stylistic bridge toward the Sāma Veda, where Vedic chants evolved into divine song.
The hymns in Mandala 8 display joyful rhythms, invocations of Soma, divine intoxication, and esoteric insights, combining ritual richness with spiritual immersion.
📚 Overview of Mandala 8
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Total Sūktas | 103 |
| 👳♂️ Primary Ṛṣis | Kaṇva and Aṅgiras lineages |
| 🕉️ Key Deities | Soma, Indra, Agni, Maruts, Aśvins, Rudra |
| 🔎 Central Themes | Ecstatic union, poetic flow, divine intoxication, transformation |
| 🗣️ Metrical Style (Chandas) | Trishtubh, Gayatri, Anuṣṭubh |
| 🎶 Tone | Joyful, mystic, rapturous, flowing |
🌟 10 Most Significant Hymns from Rigveda Mandala 8
Below are 10 impactful hymns from Mandala 8 with Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation, selected for their mystical resonance and universal message.
1. 🍃 Soma – The Elixir of Divine Joy (8.48.3)
Sanskrit:
सोमः पवते जनिता मतीनां
जनिता दिवो जनिता पृथिव्याः।
जनिताग्नेः जनिता सूर्यस्य॥
Transliteration:
somaḥ pavate janitā matīnām
janitā divo janitā pṛthivyāḥ |
janitāgneḥ janitā sūryasya ||
Translation:
“Soma is being purified—the generator of thoughts, of heaven, of earth, of Agni and the sun.”
✨ Insight: This hymn portrays Soma as the source of divine insight, inspiration, and cosmic order.
2. 🕊️ Voice of Truth and Song (8.27.1)
Sanskrit:
अस्मा उ वः सवनानि ब्रवीम्यग्निं
हवींषि सधमाद्याय।
राजेव यस्य सुमतिं जनेषु
देवो देवानां भवति प्रचेताः॥
Transliteration:
asmā u vaḥ savanāni bravīmy agniṃ
havīṃṣi sadhamādyāya |
rājeva yasya sumatiṃ janeṣu
devo devānāṃ bhavati pracetāḥ ||
Translation:
“To him we speak at the sacrifices—Agni, wise among the gods, like a king whose favor is sought by all.”
🔥 Insight: The hymn invokes Agni not just as fire, but as the kingly wisdom of divine speech.
3. 🌈 The Maruts – Divine Musicians of the Sky (8.20.21)
Sanskrit:
उद् गायत मरुतां
शर्धाय विश्वे यज्ञैः।
धुनिमिव स्तोममिन्द्राय॥
Transliteration:
ud gāyata marutāṃ
śardhāya viśve yajñaiḥ |
dhunim iva stomam indrāya ||
Translation:
“Sing forth to the troop of Maruts with all your rites—as the drumbeat rises for Indra.”
🥁 Insight: Music and praise are forms of divine thunder—stirring the soul to power and truth.
4. 🌿 Aśvins – Bringers of Healing (8.5.2)
Sanskrit:
नासत्या यातं
सुधितं रथेन
मम हव्या जुषेथामु लोके॥
Transliteration:
nāsatyā yātaṃ
sudhitaṃ rathena
mama havyā juṣethām u loke ||
Translation:
“O Aśvins, come in your golden chariot—accept my offerings in this world.”
🚑 Insight: The Aśvins are the twin healers, always ready to respond to calls with swift compassion.
5. 💧 Soma and the Rivers of Bliss (8.48.1)
Sanskrit:
सोमः पवते जनिता
स्वर्धा देवो देवेषु वाजम्।
शिरा धर्माणि पूर्व्या॥
Transliteration:
somaḥ pavate janitā
svar dhā devo deveṣu vājam |
śirā dharmāṇi pūrvyā ||
Translation:
“Soma is purified—creator of the light of heaven, bearer of strength among the gods, lord of ancient laws.”
💎 Insight: Soma not only intoxicates; it uplifts, unlocks divine law, and awakens the inner light.
6. 🧘 Poetic Ecstasy and Revelation (8.91.4)
Sanskrit:
तं त्वा विप्राः
सप्तयो गायन्ति
सुधितं सोमपातमिन्द्रम्॥
Transliteration:
taṃ tvā viprāḥ
saptayo gāyanti
sudhitaṃ somapātam indram ||
Translation:
“You are praised by seers in seven voices, Indra—joyfully, as the Soma-drinker.”
🎵 Insight: Ecstasy is sacred—true joy, song, and intoxication are seen as divine paths to union.
7. ☀️ Divine Light and Purity (8.3.14)
Sanskrit:
विद्युन्मती मिमीते
रोचने दिवः
स्रजं यथा परिष्कृतम्॥
Transliteration:
vidyunmatī mimīte
rocane divaḥ
srajaṃ yathā pariṣkṛtam ||
Translation:
“She, radiant like lightning, spreads through the sky like a garland adorned.”
🌼 Insight: This mystic image of the goddess evokes the aesthetic beauty of divine consciousness.
8. 🌌 The Mystic’s Longing (8.73.8)
Sanskrit:
प्र वः स्तोमं
गायत्रेण ब्रवीमि
विश्वेभ्यो देवतमा इषिरे॥
Transliteration:
pra vaḥ stomaṃ
gāyatreṇa bravīmi
viśvebhyo devatamā iṣire ||
Translation:
“I raise this hymn in Gayatri meter to all the gods—may they choose to bless us!”
📿 Insight: The Gayatri mantra form is used here to call not just light, but the collective grace of divinities.
9. 🌬️ Breath of the Universe (8.100.11)
Sanskrit:
स्वसा रोदसी
परि भूषति
विप्रा विप्रं सहसा शशमानम्॥
Transliteration:
svasā rodasī
pari bhūṣati
viprā vipraṃ sahasā śaśamānam ||
Translation:
“He who adorns both heavens—he is the wise breath rejoicing with the wise.”
💨 Insight: Divine sound is also divine breath, echoing across both inner and outer cosmos.
10. 🔥 Agni – The Transformer (8.23.26)
Sanskrit:
अग्ने सख्यं ते गृणतामु ते नः
सूनुं न योनिं मन्महे धियं ते।
Transliteration:
agne sakhyaṃ te gṛṇatāmu te naḥ
sūnuṃ na yoniṃ manmahe dhiyaṃ te ||
Translation:
“O Agni, be our friend—your wisdom is our son, your presence our sacred womb.”
🕯️ Insight: The poet sees Agni not just as fire, but as divine intimacy, family, and presence.
🎶 Themes and Symbolism in Mandala 8
| Theme | Symbolism | Modern Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Soma and Ecstasy | Sacred intoxication, blissful unity | Spiritual joy, altered consciousness |
| Music and Poetry | Divine expression, vibration of truth | Art as a sacred path, chanting and bhajans |
| Aśvins and Healing | Holistic wellness, twin balance | Mental and physical well-being |
| Agni and Song | Transformation through fire and mantra | Daily spiritual practice and meditation |
| Mystic Revelation | Veiled truth revealed through song | Intuition, spiritual awakening through silence |
🧘♀️ Daily Practice Inspired by Mandala 8
Mystic Morning Ritual (7–10 mins):
- Sit in silence and take three deep breaths
- Chant Soma verse (8.48.3) and visualize inner light rising
- Offer spontaneous song or humming (nāda) to the divine
- Call upon the Aśvins for healing
- End by listening silently for the music within you
🛕 Conclusion
Rigveda Mandala 8 is a mystic’s paradise, a poet’s sacred playground, and a seeker’s revelation. It brings the Soma of wisdom, the song of the divine, and the melody of the cosmos into poetic form. These hymns invite us to sing, celebrate, and surrender—to embrace both sound and silence as divine.