Sukta 86
Sukta 1.86
Gotama Rāhūgaṇa (traditional for RV 1.86)
Gāyatrī (compact 3×8 style; hymn 1.86 is commonly in Gāyatrī/related meters)
This hymn invokes the Maruts as mighty, heaven-ranging protectors who widen the paths, guard the worshipper, and uphold the striving peoples. The seer recalls long-standing devotion to them and asks for their active help—driving away hidden darkness and making luminous clarity prevail. Overall, it is a prayer for protection, communal strength, and the victory of light over obstructive forces.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
मरुतो यस्य हि क्षये पाथा दिवो विमहसः । स सुगोपातमो जनः ॥
मरुत देवता जिसके घर रहते हैं, उसके लिए आसमान का रास्ता चौड़ा हो जाता है। ऐसा आदमी सबसे ज़्यादा सुरक्षित रहता है। कोई उसको तकलीफ़ नहीं पहुँचा सकता।
Mantra 2
यज्ञैर्वा यज्ञवाहसो विप्रस्य वा मतीनाम् । मरुतः शृणुता हवम् ॥
मरुत देवता, यह पुकार सुनो। चाहे यज्ञ के द्वारा हो या रिशि के विचार से, तुम्हारी हेल्प चाहिए। तुम लोग जो यज्ञ ले के आते हो, तुम्हारी सुनो।
Mantra 3
उत वा यस्य वाजिनोऽनु विप्रमतक्षत । स गन्ता गोमति व्रजे ॥
जिस आदमी के लिए मरुत देवता रिशि की हेल्प करते हैं, वो आगे बढ़ता है। उसको गाय और धन मिलता है। उसका काम सफल हो जाता है।
Mantra 4
अस्य वीरस्य बर्हिषि सुतः सोमो दिविष्टिषु । उक्थं मदश्च शस्यते ॥
जब कोई वीर आदमी पूजा करता है, तो उसके लिए सोम रस और गाने होते हैं। यह सब आसमान की तरफ़ से आता है। लोग खुश होके गाते हैं।
Mantra 5
अस्य श्रोषन्त्वा भुवो विश्वा यश्चर्षणीरभि । सूरं चित्सस्रुषीरिषः ॥
सारी दुनिया इस पुकार को सुनो। जो लोग आगे बढ़ते हैं, उनके लिए यह शक्ति काम करती है। सूरज की तरह तेज़ हो के निकल पड़ो।
Mantra 6
पूर्वीभिर्हि ददाशिम शरद्भिर्मरुतो वयम् । अवोभिश्चर्षणीनाम् ॥
मरुत्स, हमने पिछले काफी समय से अपना काम शुरू किया है। बरसों से हम यह कर रहे हैं। और तुम लोगों की हिफाज़त करते हो। तुम लोगों को साथ लेकर चलते हो जो मेहनत कर रहे हैं।
Mantra 7
सुभगः स प्रयज्यवो मरुतो अस्तु मर्त्यः । यस्य प्रयांसि पर्षथ ॥
मरुत्स, वो इंसान खुशनसीब है जो पूजा में आगे रहता है। जिसका काम तुम सही रास्ते पे ले चलते हो, उसका भला होता है। तुम उसकी हर मंज़िल तक पहुँचा देते हो।
Mantra 8
शशमानस्य वा नरः स्वेदस्य सत्यशवसः । विदा कामस्य वेनतः ॥
तुम लोग असली ताकत वाले हो। जो मेहनत करता है, पसीना बहाता है, उसकी मदद करो। जो खुशी चाहता है, उसकी भी मदद करो। तुम्हारी समझ से वो अपना मक़सद पा ले।
Mantra 9
यूयं तत्सत्यशवस आविष्कर्त महित्वना । विध्यता विद्युता रक्षः ॥
तुम असली ताकत वाले हो, अपनी बड़ी हरकत से साफ दिखा दो। बिजली चमका के अंधेरे को मार दो। जो बुराई रास्ते में खड़ी है, उसको खत्म करो।
Mantra 10
गूहता गुह्यं तमो वि यात विश्वमत्रिणम् । ज्योतिष्कर्ता यदुश्मसि ॥
छुपा के रखने वाला अंधेरा दूर कर दो। सारा बुरा अंधेरा भगा दो। तुम रोशनी लाने वाले बनो, हम यही चाहते हैं। हम यही माँग रहे हैं।
Inside Sukta 86
How it unfolds
- 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.
- 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).
- Climax
A sharp, transformative plea: to conceal and expel hidden darkness and devouring obscurity, and to become makers of Light (jyotiṣ-kartā).
- 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
- 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)अवो॑भिश्चर्षणी॒नाम् (avobhiś carṣaṇīnām)ज्योति॑ष्कर्ता (jyotiṣ-kartā)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.
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