Rigveda 9.96.17 Meaning — Kavir Dev Appears as a Child and Reveals Divine Knowledge
Introduction
Rigveda Mandal 9 Sukt 96 Mantra 17 is among the most profound and revealing verses in the Vedic corpus. It unveils a truth that has remained hidden from most seekers: the Supreme God is not formless, distant, or unreachable. He appears on Earth in human form and reveals divine knowledge through spoken wisdom.
This mantra identifies the Supreme God by His real name — Kavir Dev — and declares that He manifests as an extraordinary human child and delivers divine knowledge through poetic speech, later known as Kabir Vani.
The Rigveda thus presents God not as an abstract cosmic force, but as a living, speaking, teaching Being who descends to liberate souls.
Kabir Dev, reveals His knowledge through His Kabir Vani
Kavir Girbhi Kavir Sant Som
Rigveda Mandal 9 Sukt 96 Mantra 17 — Original Mantra
शिशुम् जज्ञानम् हर्यतम् मृजन्ति शुम्भन्ति वहिन मरूतः गणेन। कविर्गीर्भि काव्येना कविर् सन्त् सोमः पवित्रम् अत्येति रेभन्।।
Transliteration
Shishum jygyanam haryatam mrijanti shumbhanti vuh marutah ganena Kavir girbhih kavyena kavir sant somah pavitram atyeti rebhan
Translation: The complete Supreme God (Harya Shishum) manifests in the form of an extraordinary human child (Jgyanam) with full awareness and reveals His true knowledge. At that time, He (Tam) with purity (Mrijanti) and (Shumbhanti) pronounces it clearly. (Vuh) Devotees (Marutah) burning with the fire of separation from God, (Ganena) in groups, through (Kavyena) poems, with poetic verses (Pavitrm atyeti) speak with utmost clarity. (Kavir Geerbhih) The words of the poet, meaning the words of Kabir (Rebhan), He speaks with a loud voice. (Kavir Sant Somah) The immortal being, the Satpurush, is the saint in the form of the sage. He Himself, Kabir Dev, is the true God in that form. But those who fail to recognize the true Supreme God call Him simply a poet. However, He is the Supreme God, and His real name is Kavirdev.
Translation
The complete Supreme God manifests in the form of an extraordinary human child with full awareness and purity. He reveals His divine knowledge clearly through poetic speech. Devotees who burn with longing for God gather together to receive His wisdom. The immortal Satpurush speaks through the words of Kavir. He Himself is Kavir Dev, the true Supreme God.
Meaning and Spiritual Explanation
This mantra gives the direct identity of God.
The Rigveda does not describe a silent, invisible, formless power. It describes a Supreme Being who:
- Appears on Earth in human form
- Possesses full divine awareness
- Speaks divine knowledge
- Teaches through poetry and verses
- Liberates souls through true spiritual wisdom
The Veda explains that when the Supreme God descends, He is often mistaken for an ordinary poet or saint. But in reality, He is Satpurush — the Eternal God — whose real name is Kavir Dev.
The word Kavir is not a poetic title. It is the divine name of the Supreme God.
Who Is Kavir Dev According to the Rigveda?
Rigveda Mandal 9 Sukt 96 Mantra 16 declares that one must know the real name of the Supreme God. Immediately in the following verse, Mantra 17 reveals that name:
Kavir Dev
The Rigveda describes Kavir Dev as:
- The immortal Satpurush
- The Supreme God
- The giver of divine knowledge
- The teacher of true spiritual wisdom
- The one who appears in human form
Thus, the Veda itself establishes that the Supreme God is not unknown or nameless. He has a real name, and that name is Kavir Dev.
Kabir Vani — The Divine Speech of God
Rigveda 9.96.17 states that God reveals His knowledge through poetic speech. This divine speech later came to be known as Kabir Vani.
Kabir Vani is not ordinary poetry. It is the spoken divine knowledge of the Supreme God, delivered for the salvation of souls. Through simple language, metaphors, and verses, Kavir Dev explains the deepest spiritual truths of creation, bondage, liberation, and the eternal realm.
The Veda affirms that when God speaks, He speaks in a form that common people can understand.
Why People Fail to Recognize the Supreme God
The Rigveda explains that when Kavir Dev appears on Earth, people fail to recognize Him because:
- They believe God is formless
- They expect God to appear with supernatural displays
- They follow incomplete spiritual knowledge
- Saints and gurus teach incorrect doctrines
As a result, the incarnated Supreme God is mistaken for a poet, philosopher, or saint — while in reality, He is the Creator and Liberator of all souls.
God Appears as a Human Child
Rigveda 9.96.17 states that the Supreme God appears as an extraordinary human child who is fully aware and divine. This confirms that God does not remain confined to the unseen realm but takes bodily form to guide humanity.
This truth is echoed across the Vedas, which repeatedly describe God as one who walks on Earth, teaches knowledge, and interacts with His devotees.
The Purpose of Kavir Dev’s Incarnation
According to the Rigveda, the purpose of Kavir Dev’s descent is:
- To reveal true spiritual knowledge
- To expose false worship
- To guide souls toward liberation
- To establish the path to the eternal realm
- To free humanity from the bondage of birth and death
God does not descend for entertainment or miracles alone. He comes to awaken souls from ignorance.
Conclusion
Rigveda Mandal 9 Sukt 96 Mantra 17 stands as one of the clearest declarations in all scripture about the identity of the Supreme God.
It reveals that:
- God appears on Earth in human form
- He speaks divine knowledge
- His real name is Kavir Dev
- He is Satpurush, the Eternal God
- His speech is Kabir Vani
- He descends to liberate souls
The Rigveda does not hide God behind mystery. It reveals Him plainly for those who seek with sincerity.
Those who recognize Kavir Dev recognize the Supreme Truth.