Rig Veda Sukta 87
Mandala 1Sukta 876 Mantras

Sukta 87

Sukta 1.87

Rishi

Gautama Rāhūgaṇa (traditional for RV 1.87)

Devata

Marutaḥ

Chandas

Jagatī (probable; RV 1.87 shows Jagatī/Triṣṭubh mixture, opening often Jagatī-like length)

RV 1.87 loue les Maruts comme une troupe irrésistible et juvénile — allant droit, inflexible, rayonnante comme l’aurore — dont le mouvement et le chant accroissent l’éclat et le courage. L’hymne sollicite leur protection pour la pensée inspirée (dhī) et célèbre leur vérité, leur intrépidité et leur « demeure » intérieure (dhāman) comme une puissance qui affermit et élève l’adorant.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.87

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्रत्वक्षसः प्रतवसो विरप्शिनोऽनानता अविथुरा ऋजीषिणः । जुष्टतमासो नृतमासो अञ्जिभिर्व्यानज्रे के चिदुस्रा इव स्तृभिः ॥

En avant par la force, en avant par la puissance, aux vastes œuvres et sans pli, inébranlables, allant droit; les plus aimés, les plus virils — certains d’entre vous se sont déployés par leurs splendeurs, tels de claires aurores par leurs rayons.

Mantra 2

उपह्वरेषु यदचिध्वं ययिं वय इव मरुतः केन चित्पथा । श्चोतन्ति कोशा उप वो रथेष्वा घृतमुक्षता मधुवर्णमर्चते ॥

Quand, dans les creux, vous allumez votre force en mouvement, ô Maruts, tels des oiseaux sur quelque voie, alors les vases sur vos chars ruissellent ; vous versez le ghee, couleur de miel, et le chant s’élève dans une joie ravie.

Mantra 3

प्रैषामज्मेषु विथुरेव रेजते भूमिर्यामेषु यद्ध युञ्जते शुभे । ते क्रीळयो धुनयो भ्राजदृष्टयः स्वयं महित्वं पनयन्त धूतयः ॥

Dans leurs élans, la terre tremble comme secouée, lorsque, sur leurs voies, ils s’attellent à l’œuvre éclatante. Eux, joueurs et tonnants, aux lances fulgurantes, font sentir d’eux-mêmes, par leur propre puissance, leur grandeur — impétueux en leur mouvement.

Mantra 4

स हि स्वसृत्पृषदश्वो युवा गणोऽया ईशानस्तविषीभिरावृतः । असि सत्य ऋणयावानेद्योऽस्या धियः प्राविताथा वृषा गणः ॥

Car il est de lui-même impétueux, aux chevaux tachetés, troupe juvénile; allant selon sa propre voie, seigneurial, enveloppé de puissances. Il est véridique, acquittant la dette, irréprochable — protecteur de cette pensée; alors, oui, force de taureau est cette troupe.

Mantra 5

पितुः प्रत्नस्य जन्मना वदामसि सोमस्य जिह्वा प्र जिगाति चक्षसा । यदीमिन्द्रं शम्यृक्वाण आशतादिन्नामानि यज्ञियानि दधिरे ॥

Nous parlons selon la naissance de l’Ancien Père : la langue de Soma s’avance par la puissance de la vision. Lorsque les chantres atteignirent Indra dans le séjour de paix, alors, oui, ils établirent les Noms sacrés, dignes du sacrifice — formes du Divin à invoquer dans le yajña.

Mantra 6

श्रियसे कं भानुभिः सं मिमिक्षिरे ते रश्मिभिस्त ऋक्वभिः सुखादयः । ते वाशीमन्त इष्मिणो अभीरवो विद्रे प्रियस्य मारुतस्य धाम्नः ॥

Pour l’accroissement de Śrī, de la splendeur, ils se mêlent par leurs rayons — ces rayons, ces puissances chantantes qui apportent une aisance heureuse. Pleins de voix vibrante, impétueux et sans crainte, ils connaissent bien la demeure aimée des Maruts.

Inside Sukta 87

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by depicting the Maruts in forward-driving force—unbending, unshaken—spreading radiance like dawn with its rays (1.87.1).

  2. Development

    It develops the portrait of the Marut-host as youthful, lordly, power-encompassed, and ethically potent—true, blameless, and a protector of inspired vision (dhī) (notably 1.87.4).

  3. Climax

    At the peak, their beams and chants blend for the growth of splendour, bringing ease and fearless impetus; the seer asserts their intimate knowledge of the Marut ‘home’ (dhāman) (1.87.6).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn resolves by stabilizing praise into assurance: the Maruts’ ordered power and protective presence can be relied upon to carry the worshipper’s inspiration safely to its goal.

The deity: Marutaḥ

  • In the VedaA roaring, radiant troop (gaṇa) of storm-deities, swift and self-rushing, dappled-horsed, armed and straight-driving, who spread their lights like dawn-rays and move with chant and thunderous voice.
  • Cosmic functionThey animate the atmosphere with wind, storm, and invigorating rains; they clear obstruction, drive forward the cosmic movement, and support Indra’s victory and the world’s order through dynamic force.
  • Inner significanceThe Maruts symbolize the surge of prāṇa and will-force—courage, clarity, and disciplined energy that protects and carries the seeker’s dhī (inspired intelligence) through inner turbulence toward a stable ‘home’ of luminous power.

The seer

  • Gautama RāhūgaṇaGautama gotra (Āṅgirasa line, traditionally) · A Gautama seer associated with early Marut hymns in Mandala 1, noted for vivid martial-radiant imagery and for linking the Maruts’ storm-force with protection of inspired vision (dhī).

Famous verses

usrā iva stṛbhiḥ
Verse 1.87.1Sets the hymn’s signature imagery: the Maruts as straight-driving, unbending powers whose radiance spreads like dawn—establishing both their martial energy and luminous beneficence.Read verse 1.87.1 →
prāvitā dhiyaḥ
Verse 1.87.4Defines the Marut-host as a unified, youthful, lordly power that is ‘true’ and ‘blameless’ and explicitly a protector of dhī—linking storm-force with moral and spiritual guardianship.Read verse 1.87.4 →
priyasya mārutasya dhāmnaḥ
Verse 1.87.6Concludes with an inner turn: their beams and chants increase splendour, and they ‘know’ the beloved Marut dhāman—suggesting an experiential, inwardly accessible plane of power.Read verse 1.87.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • youthful host (yuvā gaṇaḥ)
  • self-rushing, swift motion (svasṛt)
  • radiant like dawn (usrā iva)
  • straight-driving, unbending (ṛjīṣiṇaḥ, anānatāḥ)
  • fearless and impetuous (abhīravaḥ, iṣmiṇaḥ)
  • truthful and blameless; protectors of dhī (satyaḥ, anedyaḥ, prāvitā dhiyaḥ)
  • vibrant-voiced, chanting power (vāśīmantaḥ, ṛkvabhiḥ)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda 1.84–1.88 (traditional cluster of Gautama/Rāhūgaṇa Marut/Indra-related hymns in some Anukramaṇī attributions)
  • Marut-stuti style: hymns emphasizing gaṇa (host), radiance, straight-driving force, and safeguarding of prayer/insight (dhī)

The rite, step by step

  • Establish the sacred fire (Agni) and seat the rite with preliminary invocations.
  • Recite the sukta as a Marut-praise (stuti), visualizing the host as radiant, swift, and protective.
  • Offer oblations while naming their key qualities (force, straight drive, fearlessness, truth).
  • Petition them to guard the dhī (inspiration/prayer) and to remove obstacles to the sacrifice and its fruits.
  • Conclude with a sealing praise that affirms their beloved dhāman (abode/plane) as known and accessible through right chant.

Offerings

  • ghee (ājya)
  • Soma libation (where applicable)
  • havis offerings (cakes/grain)
  • fragrant fuel/wood and clarified butter into Agni

Frequently Asked Questions

The Maruts are a radiant troop of storm-deities—swift, roaring, and powerful—praised here as fearless forces that drive forward and protect the worshipper.

It seeks their protection and support, especially for dhī—focused, inspired understanding and prayer—so the sacrifice and the seeker’s intention move forward without obstruction.

The storm-force becomes an inner symbol: energetic prāṇa and courageous will that clears confusion, strengthens clarity, and leads the mind toward a stable, luminous ‘home’ (dhāman).

Ask anything about Sukta 87 of the Rig Veda

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