Sukta 39
Sukta 1.39
Kaṇva (Kāṇva lineage; traditional attribution)
Maruts
Trishtubh (probable; needs verse-scan confirmation)
This hymn calls to the Maruts as they surge from distant realms with blazing power, asking by whose impulse they move and whom they intend to aid or strike. It vividly portrays their roaring chariots, earth-shaking approach, and irresistible force, while seeking their protection against hostile powers—especially those opposed to inspired vision (ṛṣi).
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र यदित्था परावतः शोचिर्न मानमस्यथ । कस्य क्रत्वा मरुतः कस्य वर्पसा कं याथ कं ह धूतयः ॥
जब तुम दूर से ऐसे निकल के आते हो, जैसे अग्नि चमक रही हो, तब तुम्हारी ताकत चलती है। मरुत, किसका इरादा है, किसका रूप है जिससे तुम चल रहे हो? तुम कौन ढूंढ रहे हो, दुनिया हिलाने वाले?
Mantra 2
स्थिरा वः सन्त्वायुधा पराणुदे वीळू उत प्रतिष्कभे । युष्माकमस्तु तविषी पनीयसी मा मर्त्यस्य मायिनः ॥
तुम्हारे हथियार मज़बूत हों, दुश्मन को पीछे धकेलने के लिए और उसे रोकने के लिए। तुम्हारी ताकत हमारी हो, सबसे ज़रूरी, ताकि कोई धोकेबाज़ इंसान हमारे ऊपर न चढ़ पाए।
Mantra 3
परा ह यत्स्थिरं हथ नरो वर्तयथा गुरु । वि याथन वनिनः पृथिव्या व्याशाः पर्वतानाम् ॥
जब तुम जो पक्का है उसे तोड़ देते हो, और भारी चीज़ को हिला देते हो, तब तुम ज़मीन के जंगल को अलग कर देते हो। तुम पहाड़ियों के रास्ते खोल देते हो।
Mantra 4
नहि वः शत्रुर्विविदे अधि द्यवि न भूम्यां रिशादसः । युष्माकमस्तु तविषी तना युजा रुद्रासो नू चिदाधृषे ॥
तुम्हारा कोई दुश्मन नहीं मिला, न आसमान में न ज़मीन पर, बुराई मिटाने वाले। तुम्हारी ताकत हमारे काम आए, रुद्र, ताकि हम किसी से भी न हारें।
Mantra 5
प्र वेपयन्ति पर्वतान्वि विञ्चन्ति वनस्पतीन् । प्रो आरत मरुतो दुर्मदा इव देवासः सर्वया विशा ॥
मरुत देवता इतने ताकतवर हैं कि पहाड़ भी काँपने लगते हैं। जंगल के पेड़ जड़ से उखाड़ देते हैं। वो ऐसे दौड़ते हैं जैसे कोई नशा में हो, हर तरफ अपनी ताकत दिखा रहे हैं।
Mantra 6
उपो रथेषु पृषतीरयुग्ध्वं प्रष्टिर्वहति रोहितः । आ वो यामाय पृथिवी चिदश्रोदबीभयन्त मानुषाः ॥
मरुत अपने रथों में तेज़ घोड़े जोड़ते हैं। लाल रंग के घोड़े आगे चल रहे हैं। जब वो आते हैं तो धरती भी सुन लेती है। लोगों के दिल में डर होता है।
Mantra 7
आ वो मक्षू तनाय कं रुद्रा अवो वृणीमहे । गन्ता नूनं नोऽवसा यथा पुरेत्था कण्वाय बिभ्युषे ॥
हम रुद्र देवता से जल्दी मदद माँगते हैं। हमें आगे बढ़ने में सहारा चाहिए। आओ और हमारी रक्षा करो। जैसे तुमने कण्व ऋषि की मदद की थी जब वो डर गए थे।
Mantra 8
युष्मेषितो मरुतो मर्त्येषित आ यो नो अभ्व ईषते । वि तं युयोत शवसा व्योजसा वि युष्माकाभिरूतिभिः ॥
मरुत, अगर तुम्हारी तरफ से कोई हमारे पीछे पड़े हो या कोई इंसान हमला करे, उसको तुम अपनी ताकत से दूर भगा दो। अपनी ताकत और मदद से हमें बचाओ।
Mantra 9
असामि हि प्रयज्यवः कण्वं दद प्रचेतसः । असामिभिर्मरुत आ न ऊतिभिर्गन्ता वृष्टिं न विद्युतः ॥
तुम थकते नहीं हो, तुम हमेशा तैयार रहते हो। कण्व ऋषि को तुमने मदद दी थी। मरुत, तुम भी हमारे पास आओ जैसे बारिश आती है, जैसे बिजली चमकती है।
Mantra 10
असाम्योजो बिभृथा सुदानवोऽसामि धूतयः शवः । ऋषिद्विषे मरुतः परिमन्यव इषुं न सृजत द्विषम् ॥
मरुत्स, तुम बहुत देते हो, तुम्हारी ताकत नापनी मुश्किल है। तुम्हारा बल भी किसी से कम नहीं। जो रिशि का दुश्मन है, उसपे तुम गुस्से में घूर के बुराई को तीर की तरह मारते हो। उसको वापस भगा देते हो जो सच्चाई को नहीं देखना चाहता।
Inside Sukta 39
How it unfolds
- 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).
- 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).
- 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.
- 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 ॥उपो रथेषु पृषतीरयुग्ध्वं प्रष्टिर्वहति रोहितः । आ वो यामाय पृथिवी चिदश्रोदबीभयन्त मानुषाः ॥ṛṣidviṣe
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.
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