Rig Veda Sukta 86
Mandala 1Sukta 8610 Mantras

Sukta 86

Sukta 1.86

Rishi

Gotama Rāhūgaṇa (traditional for RV 1.86)

Devata

Marutās

Chandas

Gāyatrī (compact 3×8 style; hymn 1.86 is commonly in Gāyatrī/related meters)

Cet hymne invoque les Maruts comme de puissants protecteurs parcourant le ciel, qui élargissent les voies, gardent l’adorant et soutiennent les peuples en effort. Le voyant rappelle une dévotion ancienne envers eux et demande leur aide agissante — chasser les ténèbres cachées et faire prévaloir une clarté lumineuse. Dans l’ensemble, c’est une prière pour la protection, la force communautaire et la victoire de la lumière sur les forces obstructrices.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.86

Mantras

Mantra 1

मरुतो यस्य हि क्षये पाथा दिवो विमहसः । स सुगोपातमो जनः ॥

Ô Maruts, dans la demeure de qui les voies du ciel sont rendues vastes — celui-là devient, parmi les hommes, le mieux protégé.

Mantra 2

यज्ञैर्वा यज्ञवाहसो विप्रस्य वा मतीनाम् । मरुतः शृणुता हवम् ॥

Soit par les sacrifices, ô porteurs du sacrifice, soit par les pensées inspirées du rishi — ô Maruts, écoutez l’appel.

Mantra 3

उत वा यस्य वाजिनोऽनु विप्रमतक्षत । स गन्ता गोमति व्रजे ॥

Ou bien celui dont les coursiers ont façonné le rishi en avant, dans la trace — il vient à l’enclos riche en vaches, à l’enceinte des dons lumineux.

Mantra 4

अस्य वीरस्य बर्हिषि सुतः सोमो दिविष्टिषु । उक्थं मदश्च शस्यते ॥

Sur l’herbe sacrée (barhis) de ce héros est déposé le Soma pressé — dans les joutes célestes ; on proclame l’hymne (uktha) et l’ivresse extatique.

Mantra 5

अस्य श्रोषन्त्वा भुवो विश्वा यश्चर्षणीरभि । सूरं चित्सस्रुषीरिषः ॥

Que tous les mondes t’entendent — son appel, lui qui s’avance vers les peuples ; même les élans impétueux courent vers le héros-Soleil au-dedans.

Mantra 6

पूर्वीभिर्हि ददाशिम शरद्भिर्मरुतो वयम् । अवोभिश्चर्षणीनाम् ॥

Car durant bien des saisons d’autrefois, ô Maruts, nous nous sommes donnés (à l’œuvre) ; et par vos protections vous soutenez les peuples — les puissances humaines qui aspirent.

Mantra 7

सुभगः स प्रयज्यवो मरुतो अस्तु मर्त्यः । यस्य प्रयांसि पर्षथ ॥

Heureux est ce mortel, ô Maruts, qui va de l’avant dans le sacrifice ; dont vous faites passer en sûreté les voies et les élans.

Mantra 8

शशमानस्य वा नरः स्वेदस्य सत्यशवसः । विदा कामस्य वेनतः ॥

Ô héros de force véridique — que ce soit pour le labeurieux qui peine dans sa propre ardeur, ou pour le chercheur de délice — qu’il obtienne, par votre connaissance, l’accomplissement désiré.

Mantra 9

यूयं तत्सत्यशवस आविष्कर्त महित्वना । विध्यता विद्युता रक्षः ॥

Vous, ô puissances de force vraie, rendez cela manifeste par votre grandeur ; frappez de l’éclair la ténèbre dévorante qui fait obstacle.

Mantra 10

गूहता गुह्यं तमो वि यात विश्वमत्रिणम् । ज्योतिष्कर्ता यदुश्मसि ॥

Cachez la ténèbre cachée ; chassez toute obscurité dévorante. Devenez artisans de la Lumière — car c’est cela que nous désirons ardemment.

Inside Sukta 86

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by declaring the blessedness of the one whose dwelling is graced by the Maruts—where the ‘paths of heaven’ are made wide and protection is strongest.

  2. Development

    It moves from praise to relationship: the seer recalls sustained devotion across seasons and asks the Maruts to uphold the striving peoples through their ‘avah’ (helps/protections).

  3. Climax

    A sharp, transformative plea: to conceal and expel hidden darkness and devouring obscurity, and to become makers of Light (jyotiṣ-kartā).

  4. Where it settles

    It settles into confident dependence on Marut guardianship—seeking ongoing protection, social steadiness, and luminous auspiciousness for the worshipper and community.

The deity: Marutās

  • In the VedaThe Maruts are the youthful, many, resplendent storm-gods—swift as thought, armed with spears, roaring and radiant—who move in bands, shake heaven and earth, and bring rains and brilliance.
  • Cosmic functionThey energize the atmosphere: stirring winds and thunder, releasing waters, clearing the sky, and supporting cosmic order by breaking obstructions and opening the ‘paths of heaven.’
  • Inner significanceThey symbolize the surge of vital forces and collective powers in the seeker—courage, momentum, disciplined intensity, and the clearing of inner obscurity so insight (jyotis) can arise.

The seer

  • Gotama Rāhūgaṇa (Gautama Rāhūgaṇa)Gautama gotra; Rāhūgaṇa branch · A Gautama-family seer associated with Marut hymns, noted for linking the Maruts’ storm-power with protection, social support (carṣaṇī), and the “making of light” through their aid.

Famous verses

पा॒था दि॒वो वि॑महसः (pāthā divo vimahasaḥ) / सुगो॒पात॑मो जनः (sugopātamo janaḥ)
Verse 1.86.1Sets the keynote: Marut presence ‘widens the paths of heaven’ and makes a person the best-protected—linking cosmic opening with human security.Read verse 1.86.1 →
अवो॑भिश्चर्षणी॒नाम् (avobhiś carṣaṇīnām)
Verse 1.86.6Expresses continuity of devotion ‘across many seasons’ and frames the Maruts as upholders of the peoples through their protective helps—important for the hymn’s communal tone.Read verse 1.86.6 →
ज्योति॑ष्कर्ता (jyotiṣ-kartā)
Verse 1.86.10The climactic spiritual petition: remove hidden darkness and make light—often read as both cosmic (storm-clearing) and inner (ignorance-clearing) transformation.Read verse 1.86.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Many and collective (gaṇa-like host)
  • Swift, impetuous, and powerful
  • Protective allies of the worshipper
  • Clearing obstacles and ‘widening the paths’
  • Associated with rain, thunder, and brilliance
  • Supporters of peoples/communities (carṣaṇī)
  • Light-bringers and darkness-dispersers

Also by this seer

  • Traditionally associated with other Marut-related hymns in Mandala 1 within the Gautama seer corpus (attributions vary by Anukramaṇī traditions).
  • Part of the broader Gautama family contribution to early Rigvedic praise-poetry emphasizing Indra–Marut alliance and communal protection themes.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish calm and order (ṛta-minded intention).
  • Invite the Maruts as a host: praise their might, speed, and protective guardianship.
  • Recite the central petitions: for widened paths, strong protection, and support of the peoples.
  • Offer oblations while requesting the driving away of hidden darkness and hostile forces.
  • Conclude with thanksgiving and a sealing request: continued guardianship and the gift of light/clarity.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • Soma libation (where applicable)
  • Milk/curds and simple food-offerings (regional śrauta/gr̥hya adaptations)
  • Praise-poetry (stuti) as the primary ‘offering’ in the Rigvedic frame

Frequently Asked Questions

They are a host of storm and wind deities, youthful and radiant, who protect the worshipper, shake away obstacles, and bring clarity like a cleared sky.

The hymn asks the Maruts to grant the best protection, to open safe and auspicious ‘paths,’ to uphold the community, and to drive away hidden darkness so light and clarity prevail.

On the outer level it fits the Maruts clearing storm-darkness; on the inner level it means removing obscurity and confusion so insight, right direction, and spiritual brightness arise.

Ask anything about Sukta 86 of the Rig Veda

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