Rig Veda Sukta 39
Mandala 1Sukta 3910 Mantras

Sukta 39

Sukta 1.39

Rishi

Kaṇva (Kāṇva lineage; traditional attribution)

Devata

Maruts

Chandas

Trishtubh (probable; needs verse-scan confirmation)

Este himno invoca a los Maruts cuando irrumpen desde ámbitos lejanos con poder fulgurante, y pregunta por el impulso que los mueve y a quién pretenden ayudar o golpear. Describe vívidamente sus carros rugientes, su llegada que sacude la tierra y su fuerza irresistible, y pide su protección contra poderes hostiles — en especial contra quienes se oponen a la visión inspirada (ṛṣi).

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.39

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र यदित्था परावतः शोचिर्न मानमस्यथ । कस्य क्रत्वा मरुतः कस्य वर्पसा कं याथ कं ह धूतयः ॥

Cuando irrumpís así desde los espacios lejanos, como una llama que pone en marcha vuestra fuerza,— ¿por la voluntad de quién, oh Maruts, por qué forma radiante avanzáis? ¿a quién buscáis, oh sacudidores de los mundos?

Mantra 2

स्थिरा वः सन्त्वायुधा पराणुदे वीळू उत प्रतिष्कभे । युष्माकमस्तु तविषी पनीयसी मा मर्त्यस्य मायिनः ॥

Sean firmes vuestras armas— para rechazar y contener al duro agresor. Sea nuestra vuestra fuerza, la más deseable, para que ningún mortal de mente engañosa prevalezca sobre nosotros.

Mantra 3

परा ह यत्स्थिरं हथ नरो वर्तयथा गुरु । वि याथन वनिनः पृथिव्या व्याशाः पर्वतानाम् ॥

En verdad, cuando vosotros, héroes, abatís lo rígido y ponéis en movimiento la pesada masa, separáis la espesura forestal de la tierra; abrís las vastedades de las direcciones en las montañas.

Mantra 4

नहि वः शत्रुर्विविदे अधि द्यवि न भूम्यां रिशादसः । युष्माकमस्तु तविषी तना युजा रुद्रासो नू चिदाधृषे ॥

Pues ningún enemigo os ha hallado — ni en el cielo ni en la tierra, oh destructores del daño. Sea vuestra fuerza la nuestra en el uncir (en el yugo) de nuestro ser; oh Rudras, aun ahora seamos nosotros inconquistables.

Mantra 5

प्र वेपयन्ति पर्वतान्वि विञ्चन्ति वनस्पतीन् । प्रो आरत मरुतो दुर्मदा इव देवासः सर्वया विशा ॥

Hacen temblar las montañas; desgarran a los señores del bosque. Hacia delante se precipitan, oh Maruts, como dioses embriagados de poder, recorriendo todo linaje, todo clan.

Mantra 6

उपो रथेषु पृषतीरयुग्ध्वं प्रष्टिर्वहति रोहितः । आ वो यामाय पृथिवी चिदश्रोदबीभयन्त मानुषाः ॥

Habéis uncido a los moteados (pṛṣatī) a vuestros carros; el rojizo lleva el timón. A vuestra venida, en vuestro avance, hasta la Tierra lo oyó — y los hombres temblaron en su condición humana.

Mantra 7

आ वो मक्षू तनाय कं रुद्रा अवो वृणीमहे । गन्ता नूनं नोऽवसा यथा पुरेत्था कण्वाय बिभ्युषे ॥

A vosotros, oh Rudras, escogemos presto el auxilio — para el crecimiento de nuestra estirpe. Venid ahora a nosotros con vuestra protección, como antaño vinisteis de ese mismo modo a Kaṇva cuando temía.

Mantra 8

युष्मेषितो मरुतो मर्त्येषित आ यो नो अभ्व ईषते । वि तं युयोत शवसा व्योजसा वि युष्माकाभिरूतिभिः ॥

Sea impulsado por vosotros, oh Maruts, o impulsado por un mortal — quienquiera que nos oprima con vasta fuerza hostil, apartadlo de nosotros con vuestro poder, con vuestra fuerza, con vuestras propias ayudas salvadoras.

Mantra 9

असामि हि प्रयज्यवः कण्वं दद प्रचेतसः । असामिभिर्मरुत आ न ऊतिभिर्गन्ता वृष्टिं न विद्युतः ॥

Pues sois incansables, oh celosos del sacrificio, oh clarividentes: a Kaṇva habéis dado. Con vuestras ayudas incansables, oh Maruts, venid a nosotros — como la lluvia, como el desatar del rayo.

Mantra 10

असाम्योजो बिभृथा सुदानवोऽसामि धूतयः शवः । ऋषिद्विषे मरुतः परिमन्यव इषुं न सृजत द्विषम् ॥

Oh Maruts, dadivosos dadores, lleváis una fuerza inconmensurable y un ímpetu inconmensurable. Contra el enemigo que odia al ṛṣi, vosotros, girando en la ira, arrojáis el poder hostil como una flecha — rechazando al adversario de la visión.

Inside Sukta 39

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens with awe and inquiry: the Maruts blaze forth from distant spaces like fire, and the poet asks what will and form impel their movement (1.39.1).

  2. Development

    Their troop-like advance is described through chariot imagery, dappled steeds, and the audible/physical impact of their coming—so powerful that even Earth ‘hears’ and humans tremble (e.g., 1.39.6).

  3. Climax

    Their force is proclaimed as unmeasured and irresistible; they are invoked as bounteous yet battle-ready, capable of turning the tide against hostile powers.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends with a sharp protective petition: against the foe who hates the seer, the Maruts hurl the enemy back like an arrow, safeguarding inspired vision and the community (1.39.10).

The deity: Maruts

  • In the VedaThe Maruts are the youthful, impetuous storm-host—shining, well-armed, roaring like thunder, riding in chariots with swift steeds, and moving as a troop with shared intent. They are praised as “shakers” who make earth and men tremble, yet also as generous givers who support the righteous and the seer.
  • Cosmic functionThey embody the dynamic forces of the atmosphere—wind, thunder, and the mobilizing energy of the storm—clearing obstructions, driving away hostile powers, and aiding the onward movement of ṛta (cosmic order).
  • Inner significancePsychologically, the Maruts signify surging life-force, courage, collective resolve, and the purifying ‘storm’ that breaks inner inertia; spiritually, they are the energies that protect inspiration and propel the seeker’s vision against doubt and hostility.

The seer

  • KaṇvaKāṇva (Kanva) lineage · A प्रमुख ऋषि of the Kāṇvas, renowned for powerful Marut and Indra hymns marked by vivid storm-imagery, rhetorical questioning, and a keen sense of divine agency in battle and ritual.

Famous verses

प्र यदित्था परावतः शोचिर्न मानमस्यथ । कस्य क्रत्वा मरुतः कस्य वर्पसा कं याथ कं ह धूतयः ॥
Verse 1.39.1Sets the hymn’s tone of wonder and theological inquiry—why and for whom the Maruts move—while likening their surge to flame and power-in-motion.Read verse 1.39.1 →
उपो रथेषु पृषतीरयुग्ध्वं प्रष्टिर्वहति रोहितः । आ वो यामाय पृथिवी चिदश्रोदबीभयन्त मानुषाः ॥
Verse 1.39.6A vivid central image of the Maruts’ arrival: yoked dappled steeds, the ruddy pole-bearer, and the earth itself ‘hearing’ their approach—capturing their sensory, cosmic impact.Read verse 1.39.6 →
ṛṣidviṣe
Verse 1.39.10Concluding protective thrust: declares their unmeasured strength and asks them to strike back the adversary ‘who hates the seer,’ a key Vedic motif of defending inspiration and ṛta.Read verse 1.39.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • storm-host (gaṇa) moving in unity
  • roaring sound and earth-shaking approach
  • radiant, youthful, well-armed
  • swift chariots and dappled steeds
  • bounteous givers (sudānavas)
  • protectors of the seer; drivers-away of adversaries
  • impetuous, unmeasured strength (asāmi ojas/śavas)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1: multiple Kāṇva-attributed sūktas (notably Marut/Indra cycles in the early Mandala)
  • Kāṇva family corpus within the Rig Veda (hymns preserved under the Kāṇva tradition)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire (Agni) and establish a calm, ritually clean space.
  • Recite opening invocations to invite the Maruts ‘from afar’ and acknowledge their radiant approach.
  • Offer oblations while praising their chariots, steeds, and thunderous might; request safe passage and protection.
  • State the specific intention: removal of hostility/obstacles, safeguarding of the seer’s vision, and aid in conflict.
  • Conclude with a reaffirmation of their unmeasured power and a final protective request against adversaries.

Offerings

  • ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • soma (where applicable)
  • milk/curds (payas/dadhi) as customary ancillary offerings
  • grain-cakes (puroḍāśa) in aligned household rites

Frequently Asked Questions

The Maruts are a troop of youthful storm-deities—winds and thunder-powers—who ride in chariots, roar loudly, and bring both fearsome force and generous aid.

It highlights a Vedic concern with divine agency: the poet wonders what higher intention or order directs the Maruts’ sudden movement—whether they come to help, to test, or to strike enemies.

It refers to hostile forces—human or non-human—that oppose inspired vision, sacred speech, and the seer’s insight; the hymn asks the Maruts to drive such opposition away.

Ask anything about Sukta 39 of the Rig Veda

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