Rig Veda 9.79 - Soma Pavamana
- Primary deity
- Soma Pavamana
- Rishi family
- Hymns from multiple lineages
- Verses
- 5
- Location
- Mandala 9, Sukta 79
This Sukta is the 79th hymn of Mandala 9, a book of 114 hymns known as The Soma Mandala. Its 5 verses are addressed chiefly to Soma Pavamana, and are given here in Devanagari, IAST transliteration and Griffith’s English rendering. By tradition the hymns of this Mandala belong to Hymns from multiple lineages.
The text is preserved here in three registers: the Devanagari Sanskrit of the Samhita, a scholarly IAST romanisation, and Ralph T. H. Griffith's 1896 English translation. Where our editors have published a verse-by-verse commentary it appears beneath the relevant Rik below, adding philological and contextual reading beyond the base translation.
Verses
Commentary
Certainly! Let’s explore Rig Veda 9.79.2 in depth, making its timeless wisdom clear and meaningful for today’s reader.
Essential Meaning (In Simple, Contemporary Language):
This verse is a prayer, asking for the blessed Soma (the sacred drink) to flow towards us like wealth—just as we drive our horses to seek riches. It seeks to receive this divine blessing beyond any obstacles created by other people, so that we may continually gather and carry away all forms of true wealth.
Deeper Philosophical and Spiritual Significance:
At its heart, this hymn is not only about material wealth but also spiritual abundance. Soma represents divine inspiration, vitality, and spiritual nourishment. The “drops” flowing forward are likened to riches, suggesting that spiritual gifts are as precious as worldly possessions.
The verse acknowledges that in life, there are hindrances—created by others or by our own limitations. The prayer is for the ability to transcend these obstacles (“beyond the crafty hindering of all mortal men”) and to continually receive and share the blessings of Soma, which symbolize wisdom, vitality, and prosperity in all aspects of life.
Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors:
- Soma (Indavaḥ): The central deity here, Soma is both a sacred plant and the divine essence extracted from it. It symbolizes inspiration, divine ecstasy, and the highest spiritual joy.
- Horses (Arvato): In Vedic poetry, horses often represent energy, drive, and the ability to move swiftly toward one’s goals—both material and spiritual.
- Drops Distilling Meath (Indavaḥ madacyuto): The Soma juice, flowing in drops, is a metaphor for the steady, ongoing flow of spiritual or material blessings.
- Wealth (Dhana): Not just money or possessions, but all forms of abundance—health, knowledge, virtue, and joy.
Connection to Universal Human Experience & Modern Life:
Everyone seeks abundance in life—whether it’s material success, personal fulfillment, wisdom, or love. This verse reminds us that true wealth is not just about accumulating possessions but about receiving and sharing blessings that nourish our spirit.
It teaches that obstacles—be they from others or from within—are part of the human journey. The prayer is for the strength and grace to move beyond these hindrances, to remain open to the flow of blessings, and to live in continual abundance.
In today’s world, this can be seen as a call to remain receptive to inspiration, to cultivate resilience against negativity, and to strive for holistic prosperity—material, emotional, and spiritual.
Cultural and Historical Context:
In Vedic times, Soma rituals were central, symbolizing union with the divine and the pursuit of higher consciousness. Wealth was valued not just for comfort, but as a sign of divine favor and a means to support one’s family and community.
The verse reflects the ancient belief that life’s gifts—whether material or spiritual—are to be received with gratitude, protected from loss or envy, and shared generously.
Inspiring Reflection:
Let this verse remind you that real abundance comes from aligning yourself with the flow of divine energy—whether you call it inspiration, grace, or wisdom. Seek to overcome obstacles not just for personal gain, but to be a vessel for blessings that can uplift others as well.
May you continually bear away “precious wealth”—not only in your hands, but in your heart and mind—by remaining open, resilient, and grateful.
Summary Statement:
This sacred verse invites us to seek abundance in all its forms, to move beyond life’s hindrances, and to receive and share the flow of blessings that nourish and enrich us. Its wisdom speaks to the eternal human quest for fulfillment, urging us to pursue both material and spiritual riches, and to live as channels of divine grace in the world.
Commentary
Rig Veda 9.79.3
Sanskrit:
उत सवस्या अरात्या अरिर्हि ष उतान्यस्या अरात्या वर्को हि षः |
धन्वन न तर्ष्णा समरीत तानभि सोम जहिपवमान दुराध्यः ||
Romanized:
uta svasyā arātyā arirhi ṣa utānyasyā arātyā vṛko hi ṣaḥ |
dhanvan na tṛṣṇā samarīta tānabhi soma jahipavamāna durādhyaḥ ||
Griffith Translation:
Yea, verily, foe of hate shown to himself is he, yea, verily, destroyer too of other hate.
As thirst subdueth in the desert, conquer thou, O Soma Pavarnana, men of evil thoughts.
1. Essential Meaning in Simple, Contemporary Language
This verse calls upon Soma (the sacred, purifying drink/deity) to overcome enmity—both the hatred directed at oneself and the hatred one holds toward others. Soma is invoked to defeat hostile, ill-intentioned people just as thirst is overcome in the desert when water is found.
In essence:
“O Soma, you are the enemy of hatred, whether it is directed at oneself or others. Just as thirst is vanquished by water in a desert, may you defeat those who harbor evil thoughts.”
2. Deeper Philosophical or Spiritual Significance
At its heart, this verse is about the power of purification and transformation. Soma here is not just a plant or drink, but a symbol of spiritual energy that cleanses negativity, dissolves hatred, and transforms the mind and heart. The text recognizes that hate comes in many forms—self-hate, animosity toward others—and both are obstacles to spiritual growth and harmony.
By invoking Soma to conquer such negativity, the verse points to the inner process of overcoming destructive emotions. Just as water relieves physical thirst, spiritual purification relieves the “thirst” caused by hatred and malice in the mind.
3. Key Concepts & Symbolism
- Soma/Pavamana: Soma is both a sacred plant/drink and a deity representing purity, inspiration, and divine energy. “Pavamana” means “the purifying one,” emphasizing Soma’s role in cleansing the mind and spirit.
- Hatred (Arātyā): Refers to enmity, malice, or negative feelings—both those received and those given.
- Thirst in the desert (Tṛṣṇā dhanvan): Powerful metaphor for deep longing or suffering, relieved only by something essential (like water for thirst, or divine grace for hatred).
- Evil thoughts (Durādhyāḥ): Those whose minds are set on harmful actions or intentions.
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience & Modern Life
Everyone experiences conflict—sometimes from others, sometimes within themselves. Hatred and negativity can dry up our inner life, leaving us feeling barren and unfulfilled, just like thirst in a desert. The verse assures us that spiritual practices, purity, and inner transformation can relieve these sufferings.
In modern life, this teaching is a call to:
- Recognize and transcend hate: Not only what others direct at us, but also what we may hold within.
- Seek purification: Through mindfulness, compassion, and connecting with the sacred—whether through meditation, prayer, or ethical living.
- Understand that healing and transformation are possible: Just as thirst is conquered by water, negativity can be overcome by spiritual effort.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
In Vedic ritual, Soma was both a physical substance and a spiritual symbol. The ancient seers understood that true power lies not in retaliation, but in purification and transformation. The invocation here reflects the Vedic worldview: that the divine can help us overcome even our deepest suffering, and that spiritual practice is the path to peace.
6. Inspiring Reflection
This verse invites you to ask: - Where do I experience hate or negativity—in myself or from others? - How might I invoke purity and compassion to overcome these feelings? - What practices or attitudes can help me “quench the thirst” of suffering and transform hostility into harmony?
Eternal Truth:
The Rig Veda teaches that, just as water conquers thirst in the desert, spiritual purity conquers hatred in the heart. The path of purification is timeless—a journey from enmity to empathy, from suffering to peace.
May this ancient wisdom inspire you to seek the “Soma” within—the power to purify, transform, and transcend all forms of hatred.
Commentary
Absolutely. Let’s illuminate Rig Veda 9.79.4 for the modern heart and mind.
1. Essential Meaning in Simple Language
This verse describes the process of preparing Soma, the sacred plant-juice central to Vedic rituals. It poetically speaks of Soma’s origins—its celestial connection (“raised loftiest in the heavens”) and its earthly presence (“upon the earth’s high ridge”). It depicts how Soma is extracted: crushed between stones on the ox’s hide, and then carefully filtered by wise priests into the waters.
In essence:
Soma, with its divine and earthly roots, is lovingly prepared by sages, connecting heaven and earth through ritual.
2. Deeper Philosophical & Spiritual Significance
Soma here is much more than a physical drink—it’s a symbol of divine essence, inspiration, and spiritual ecstasy. The verse underscores the unity of cosmos: Soma’s “loftiest” origin in the heavens and its growth on earth’s heights represent the linking of the spiritual and material realms.
The crushing of Soma, its mixing with water, and its careful extraction reflect the transformative journey of consciousness. Just as the plant is pressed and purified, so too is the soul refined through effort, devotion, and wisdom.
Spiritual teaching:
Divine inspiration and spiritual nourishment are born from the meeting of heaven and earth, and realized through conscious, reverent action.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
- Soma: Not just a plant or drink, but a metaphor for divine bliss, cosmic life-force, and spiritual illumination.
- Heaven and Earth (“divi”, “pṛthivyā”): Symbolize higher consciousness and the physical world.
- Press-stones (“adrayaḥ”): The means of transformation—tools of discipline, effort, and ritual.
- Ox’s hide (“gohṛdhi tvac”): The earthly foundation, the support for transformation.
- Waters (“apsu”): Symbolize purification, flow of consciousness, and the medium for divine transmission.
- Sages (“manīṣiṇaḥ”): Those who act with wisdom and intention, guiding the process of spiritual realization.
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience & Modern Life
This verse celebrates the human quest to unite the divine and the earthly—to bring spiritual light into daily existence. The process of preparing Soma mirrors our own growth: we start with raw potential, undergo challenges and refinement, and ultimately reveal our inner divinity.
For the modern seeker, the verse teaches:
- Transformation is intentional: Just as Soma is skillfully prepared, our own spiritual growth requires care, wisdom, and effort.
- Unity of realms: Our lives are bridges between the physical and the spiritual; meaning arises when we honor both.
- Sacred ritual: Everyday actions, when performed with reverence, can be vehicles for awakening.
5. Cultural/Historical Context
In Vedic ritual, Soma was the most sacred offering, believed to connect humans with gods and cosmic forces. The elaborate preparation symbolized not just physical nourishment, but the flow of divine grace. The act of “milking” Soma into the waters was a metaphor for drawing out spiritual essence and sharing it with the world.
6. Accessible, Reverent Reflection
Let us see this verse as an invitation:
Each day, we have the chance to draw divine inspiration from the heights of our spirit and bring it into our actions, thoughts, and relationships. Like the sages, we can approach life as a sacred ritual—transforming raw experience into wisdom, and letting the waters of consciousness carry our offering to the world.
In summary:
Rig Veda 9.79.4 sings of the journey from the highest heavens to the earthly realm, from potential to realization, from the secret source to the open flow. It teaches us that the sacred is not distant, but can be drawn out and shared—through intention, wisdom, and love.
Reflection for today:
How am I bringing the divine into my daily life? What am I extracting from my experience, with care and reverence, to nourish my soul and those around me?
Commentary
Certainly. Let’s unfold the meaning and significance of Rig Veda Book 9, Hymn 79, Verse 5:
Essential Meaning in Simple Language
This verse is an invocation to Soma, the sacred, life-giving drink and deity. The poet describes how the first, pure essence of Soma is pressed and gathered with care, becoming the central ingredient of the ritual offering. The prayer asks Soma (here called Indu and Pavamana) to overcome all obstacles and enemies, and to reveal its invigorating strength, bringing joy and delight to all who partake.
Deeper Philosophical and Spiritual Significance
Soma in Vedic tradition is much more than a physical drink. It is a symbol of divine inspiration, inner vitality, and ecstatic joy. By calling upon Soma to “bring low every single foe,” the verse is not just seeking physical protection, but also the overcoming of inner negativity—fear, doubt, ignorance, and the obstacles that block our higher consciousness.
The request for Soma’s “might to be shown forth as sweet and gladdening drink” is a yearning for spiritual awakening: for the power that uplifts, energizes, and brings true happiness. It is a prayer to be filled with the essence of life, to be infused with the energy that dispels darkness and brings clarity, strength, and bliss.
Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
- Indu/Soma/Pavamana: Soma is simultaneously the plant, the juice, and the deity. It represents both material sustenance and the spiritual nectar—divine inspiration, enlightenment, and immortality.
- Juice (Rasa): In Vedic thought, “rasa” is not just taste or liquid, but the essence of life, the vitalizing force.
- Enemies/Foes: Can symbolize both external adversaries and internal limitations or negative tendencies.
- Sweet and Gladdening Drink: A metaphor for the fulfillment and joy that comes from spiritual realization and connection with the divine.
Connection to Modern Life and Universal Experience
For a modern seeker, this verse speaks to the universal quest for energy, joy, and overcoming obstacles. Just as the ancient sages sought Soma to empower their rituals and lives, we too seek sources of inspiration and strength—whether through meditation, mindfulness, or moments of deep connection.
The “pressing of Soma” can be seen as the inner work we do to extract wisdom and vitality from life’s experiences. The prayer to “bring low every foe” is a reminder that our true enemies are often within: our fears, doubts, and habits that keep us from joy. The call for “sweet and gladdening drink” is an invitation to seek the experiences, practices, and relationships that truly nourish our souls.
Cultural and Historical Context
In the Vedic age, Soma was physically prepared by pressing a sacred plant and consuming its juice in ritual. This act was believed to connect humans with the cosmic order, the gods, and the source of vitality. Over time, Soma became a profound metaphor for spiritual ecstasy and the immortal essence sought by mystics.
Inspiration and Reflection
This verse invites us to ask: - What is the “Soma” in my life—the source of my deepest joy and strength? - How can I cultivate and gather this essence, and use it to overcome my inner obstacles? - Am I seeking fulfillment in mere outer pleasures, or am I pressing for the true “rasa”—the nectar of spiritual realization?
In honoring Soma, the Vedic poet reminds us that life’s highest joy is found not in fleeting pleasures, but in the deep, sweet essence that comes from spiritual connection and inner transformation.
In summary:
This verse celebrates the gathering of pure, life-giving energy and asks for its power to overcome all obstacles, infusing life with joy and strength. It teaches us to seek, cultivate, and cherish our own sources of inspiration, to overcome negativity, and to let the essence of life fill us with sweetness, vitality, and bliss.
Commentary
Certainly! Let’s explore Rig Veda Book 9, Hymn 79, Verse 1, step by step.
1. Essential Meaning in Simple Language
Sanskrit: अचोदसो नो धन्वन्त्विन्दवः पर सुवानासो बर्हद्दिवेषु हरयः |
वि च नशन न इषो अरातयो.अर्यो नशन्त सनिषन्त नो धियः
Romanized: acodaso no dhanvantvindavaḥ pra suvānāso bṛhaddiveṣu harayaḥ |
vi ca naśan na iṣo arātayo.aryo naśanta saniṣanta no dhiyaḥ
Plain English Essence: May the unstoppable streams of Soma flow for us,
May they, swift and strong, rise in the vast heavens;
May all that is hostile or harmful be destroyed,
May our thoughts be united and filled with wisdom.
2. Deeper Philosophical or Spiritual Significance
This verse is an invocation for blessings and protection. The poet prays for the free and powerful flow of Soma—a sacred drink and a symbol of spiritual inspiration. The “unstoppable streams” represent a wish for abundance, vitality, and divine grace.
It also seeks the removal of all obstacles (“hostile forces”) and asks for unity and clarity of thought. The Vedic sages recognized that true progress, both material and spiritual, requires both divine help and inner harmony.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience & Modern Life
5. Cultural & Historical Context
In Vedic rituals, Soma was offered to the gods and consumed by priests to attain inspiration and spiritual elevation. The imagery of Soma’s “streams” rising to the heavens reflects the aspiration to connect human life with the divine realm—seeking blessings that flow from above and transform earthly existence.
6. Inspiring Reflection for Today
Timeless Wisdom:
This verse invites us to open ourselves to the higher forces that nurture and sustain us—to let inspiration, energy, and wisdom flow freely. It teaches that by removing negativity and fostering harmony in our minds and communities, we align ourselves with the cosmic order, and blessings naturally follow.
For the Modern Seeker:
Ask yourself: Where can you let go of resistance and let your gifts flow? How can you clear away inner and outer obstacles? What practices or attitudes help you nurture unity and clarity among your thoughts and relationships?
Summary
“May divine energy and inspiration flow into our lives without hindrance; may all negativity be swept away; and may our hearts and minds be united in wisdom.”
This ancient prayer is as relevant now as ever—inviting us to embrace abundance, overcome adversity, and cultivate unity and insight, so that the blessings of life may pour forth and uplift all.