Vedas: Rigveda Madnala – 09/10
📖 Rigveda Mandala 9 – The Soma Mandala
Hymns of Liquid Light and the Elixir of the Gods
🔆 Introduction
Mandala 9 of the Rigveda is uniquely structured: unlike other Mandalas that are grouped by ṛṣis or deity, this one is entirely devoted to one deity—Soma. It consists of 114 hymns, and is often referred to as the “Pavamāna Mandala”, meaning “that which is purified”.
These hymns were specifically chanted during the pressing and purification of Soma, the sacred plant-juice consumed during Vedic yajñas. They are highly rhythmic, ecstatic, visionary, and rich in symbolism, describing Soma as a god, drink, seer, light, healer, and cosmic force.
📚 Overview of Mandala 9
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| 🔢 Total Sūktas | 114 |
| 🌿 Central Deity | Soma Pavamāna (the flowing, purifying Soma) |
| 🔎 Central Themes | Purification, divine intoxication, immortality, inner ecstasy |
| 🗣️ Metrical Style (Chandas) | Gayatri, Trishtubh, Jagati, Anushtubh |
| 🎶 Tone | Lyrical, mystical, elevated, devotional |
| ✍️ Composers | Various seers from different Mandalas |
🌟 10 Most Significant Hymns from Rigveda Mandala 9
Below are 10 remarkable hymns on Soma, with Sanskrit, transliteration, and English translation, selected to reflect the mystical and ritualistic power of this Mandala.
1. 🌿 Soma the Inspirer (9.4.1)
Sanskrit:
पवमानो अति ध्वस्मान्मधु स्रवति सिन्धुभिः।
इन्दुः स्वायुधो रयिः॥
Transliteration:
pavamāno ati dhvasmān madhu sravati sindhubhiḥ |
induḥ svāyudho rayiḥ ||
Translation:
“Flowing Soma drives away darkness, dripping with sweetness—he is the powerful, self-armed, bearer of wealth.”
💡 Insight: Soma is the light that conquers ignorance, the nectar of spiritual riches.
2. 💧 Soma the Healer (9.61.10)
Sanskrit:
सोमः क्रीळति मतिभिः
पवमानो अर्चिष्मान्।
अभि विश्वानि काव्यः॥
Transliteration:
somaḥ krīḷati matibhiḥ
pavamāno arciṣmān |
abhi viśvāni kāvyaḥ ||
Translation:
“Soma plays with inspired thoughts—shining, purifying, embracing all wisdom.”
🧠 Insight: Soma awakens the mind’s poetic and visionary powers, enabling divine perception.
3. 🔥 Soma and Agni Together (9.1.5)
Sanskrit:
स नो देवो मयोभु नो
वाज॒स्य स॑नये भव।
इन्दु॒रिन्द्र॒स्य नि॒र्णिजः॥
Transliteration:
sa no devo mayobhu no
vājasya sanaye bhava |
indur indrasya nirṇijaḥ ||
Translation:
“Let the god Soma bring us joy, the bestower of wealth and companion of Indra.”
⚡ Insight: Soma and Agni work together to fuel power and joy, igniting inner radiance.
4. 🌌 Soma the Cosmic Light (9.86.24)
Sanskrit:
तमु त्वं सोम विश्वतो
विप्रं चर्षणीनाम्।
दधथुर्मानुषाणाम्॥
Transliteration:
tamu tvaṃ soma viśvato
vipraṃ carṣaṇīnām |
dadhathur mānuṣāṇām ||
Translation:
“You, Soma, are the all-pervading seer, the wise one among men, revered in all lands.”
🌠 Insight: Soma is not just a substance—it is the inner light of humanity, seer and sage.
5. 🌿 Soma the Divine Flow (9.108.3)
Sanskrit:
पवमानः कविक्रतुः
सुपेशसः स्वायुधः।
धारया सोम आ सृज॥
Transliteration:
pavamānaḥ kavikratuḥ
supeśasaḥ svāyudhaḥ |
dhārayā soma ā sṛja ||
Translation:
“Pavamāna Soma, endowed with poetic insight, beautiful and strong—flow down with your stream.”
🎨 Insight: Soma is poetic consciousness—flowing like art, yet armed with divine strength.
6. 🍯 Soma’s Sweetness and Victory (9.28.1)
Sanskrit:
पवस्व देववीतमः
सहस्रार्चि रथीतमः।
इन्दो॒ सहस्रिणं रयिम्॥
Transliteration:
pavasva devavītamaḥ
sahasrārci rathītamaḥ |
indo sahasriṇaṃ rayim ||
Translation:
“Purify yourself, O Soma, most beloved of the gods, thousand-flamed—grant us the thousand-fold wealth!”
💰 Insight: Soma blesses devotees with spiritual wealth and divine favor.
7. 🌀 Soma and Inner Purification (9.83.1)
Sanskrit:
पवमानस्य ते रसे
सोम विश्वा अभिष्टये।
देवेभ्यो मादयित्वा॥
Transliteration:
pavamānasya te rase
soma viśvā abhiṣṭaye |
devebhyo mādayitvā ||
Translation:
“In your flowing essence, O Soma, lies the delight of all—pleasing the gods and fulfilling all desires.”
🧽 Insight: Soma purifies both inner and outer realms—cleansing the soul and exalting the gods.
8. 📿 Soma and Immortality (9.113.6)
Sanskrit:
अमृता सुतपा वयं
सोमस्येन्दोर्निधिं यथा।
भजेम शक्रसारथिम्॥
Transliteration:
amṛtā sutapā vayaṃ
somasya indor nidhiṃ yathā |
bhajema śakrasārathim ||
Translation:
“We seek the treasure of the immortal Soma—radiant, strong, and bliss-bestowing.”
🔱 Insight: Soma is equated with amṛta—the nectar of immortality sought by all spiritual paths.
9. 🌬️ Soma as Breath and Vitality (9.66.21)
Sanskrit:
पवस्व सोम धर्तरं
देवानाञ्चर्षणीनाम्।
विश्वस्मात्सूनृता कृधि॥
Transliteration:
pavasva soma dhartaraṃ
devānāñ carṣaṇīnām |
viśvasmāt sūnṛtā kṛdhi ||
Translation:
“Flow, O Soma, as the sustainer of gods and mortals—grant truth and abundance to all.”
💨 Insight: Soma is both breath and vitality, sustaining cosmic balance and human integrity.
10. 🎇 Soma as Flame of Consciousness (9.109.4)
Sanskrit:
तमु त्वा सोम विश्वतो
दृशे श्रवस्यवे वयम्।
ब्रवीमि ब्रह्मवर्चसे॥
Transliteration:
tamu tvā soma viśvato
dṛśe śravasyave vayam |
bravīmi brahmavarcase ||
Translation:
“To you, Soma, shining in all directions—we offer our praise for the brilliance of spiritual light.”
🧠 Insight: Soma illuminates intellect and spirit, a flame of divine awareness.
🌄 Themes and Symbolism in Mandala 9
| Theme | Symbolism | Modern Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Soma as Elixir | Inner ecstasy, divine energy | Flow state, spiritual practice, intuition |
| Purification & Flow | Cleansing of sin, liberation of self | Detox, clarity of thought, emotional release |
| Immortality & Strength | Soma as amṛta and vital force | Longevity, vitality, mental resilience |
| Cosmic Intelligence | Soma as a seer and sage | Conscious evolution, higher awareness |
| Divine Joy | Soma’s sweetness and delight | Inner contentment, blissful states of being |
🧘♂️ Daily Practice Inspired by Mandala 9
Soma Meditation Ritual (10 mins):
- Breathe deeply and visualize golden liquid light entering your crown
- Chant verse (9.4.1) and visualize inner cleansing
- Meditate on joy and purity flowing within
- Offer gratitude to Soma as divine healer
- Conclude with silence and radiant smile
🛕 Conclusion
Rigveda Mandala 9 is the heart of Vedic ecstasy—a divine dance of light, breath, song, and nectar. The Soma Mandala reveals that joy is sacred, purification is bliss, and intoxication—when divine—is a path to truth. It celebrates the elixir of enlightenment, calling us to sip from the stream of divine consciousness.