Sukta 57
Sukta 7.57
Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for much of Maṇḍala 7)
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 7.57; verse appears in 4 pādas of ~11 syllables)
This hymn praises the Maruts as honey-named, force-filled storm-gods who surge in the sacrifice and can shake heaven and earth while releasing hidden sources of abundance. It blends exuberant invocation with a careful plea for forgiveness of human fault, asking that their lightning and wrath be kept away and that their steadfast goodwill protect the worshippers. The sukta culminates in a call for the Maruts to come from every side to strengthen the community’s leaders and guard all with lasting well-being.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
मध्वो वो नाम मारुतं यजत्राः प्र यज्ञेषु शवसा मदन्ति । ये रेजयन्ति रोदसी चिदुर्वी पिन्वन्त्युत्सं यदयासुरुग्राः ॥
मरुत्स, तुम्हारा नाम ही मीठा है। यज्ञ में तुम ताकत के साथ आगे बढ़ते हो। तुम इतने ताकतवर हो कि दुनिया हिला सकते हो। जब तुम अपनी शक्ति चलाते हो, तो पानी ऊपर आने लगता है।
Mantra 2
निचेतारो हि मरुतो गृणन्तं प्रणेतारो यजमानस्य मन्म । अस्माकमद्य विदथेषु बर्हिरा वीतये सदत पिप्रियाणाः ॥
मरुत्स समझदार हैं। जो लोग गाते हुए यज्ञ करते हैं, उनकी सोच सही रास्ते पर लगाते हैं। आज हमारे बीच आके बैठो। हमें देख के खुश रहो।
Mantra 3
नैतावदन्ये मरुतो यथेमे भ्राजन्ते रुक्मैरायुधैस्तनूभिः । आ रोदसी विश्वपिशः पिशानाः समानमञ्ज्यञ्जते शुभे कम् ॥
मरुत देवता में कोई दूसरा इतना नहीं चमकता जितना यह चमक रहे हैं। यह सोने जैसे चमक रहे हैं, अपने हथियार और अपनी ताकत से। यह हर तरह की शकल बना सकते हैं। यह दुनिया को एक ही तरह से सजाते हैं, ताकि सब खुश दिखे।
Mantra 4
ऋधक्सा वो मरुतो दिद्युदस्तु यद्व आगः पुरुषता कराम । मा वस्तस्यामपि भूमा यजत्रा अस्मे वो अस्तु सुमतिश्चनिष्ठा ॥
मरुत देवता, तुम्हारी बिजली हमसे दूर रहे। अगर हमसे कोई गलती हो गई हो इंसान की तरह, तो उसे माफ करो। हमें उस गलती में पड़ने मत देना। तुम्हारी समझदारी हमेशा हमारे साथ रहे।
Mantra 5
कृते चिदत्र मरुतो रणन्तानवद्यासः शुचयः पावकाः । प्र णोऽवत सुमतिभिर्यजत्राः प्र वाजेभिस्तिरत पुष्यसे नः ॥
काम पूरा होने के बाद भी मरुत देवता गूंजते रहें। यह बिना दोष के हैं, बिल्कुल साफ और पवित्र हैं। यह अपनी समझदारी से हमें बचाते हैं। यह अपनी ताकत से हमें आगे ले जाते हैं, ताकि हम बढ़ते रहें।
Mantra 6
उत स्तुतासो मरुतो व्यन्तु विश्वेभिर्नामभिर्नरो हवींषि । ददात नो अमृतस्य प्रजायै जिगृत रायः सूनृता मघानि ॥
जब लोग मरुत देवता की तारीफ करते हैं, तो यह सब नाम और शक्ति से हमारे समर्पित चीज़ें फैला देते हैं। हमें अमरत्व देने के लिए यह देंगे। यह हमें धन और सच्चाई देते हैं, बड़े-बड़े उपहार के साथ।
Mantra 7
आ स्तुतासो मरुतो विश्व ऊती अच्छा सूरीन्त्सर्वताता जिगात । ये नस्त्मना शतिनो वर्धयन्ति यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
मरुत देवता, जब तुम्हारी तारीफ होती है, तो तुम्हारी मदद हर तरफ से आती है। तुम हमारे अच्छे लोगों तक पहुँचते हो। तुम अपनी ताकत से हमारी शक्ति सौ गुना बढ़ा देते हो। तुम हमेशा अपनी शांति से हमें बचाते हो।
Inside Sukta 57
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The Maruts are invoked as ‘honey-named’ and delightful, surging through the sacrifice with conscious force and world-shaking energy.
- Development
Their cosmic potency is celebrated (shaking the two worlds, swelling hidden fountains), then the hymn turns inward to ethical-ritual caution: human error may offend, so their lightning should be set apart and their goodwill secured.
- Climax
The appeasement and request for enduring ‘sumati’ (right-minded favor) crystallizes the relationship: power must be harmonized, not merely admired.
- Where it settles
A final all-sides invitation asks the praised Maruts to aid the illumined leaders, multiply strength a hundredfold, and guard the people always with svasti (well-being).
The deity: Marutāḥ
- Cosmic functionThey drive the storm and rain, stir the atmosphere, energize the world’s movements, and—often as Indra’s companions—help open the waters and widen prosperity for the clans.
- Inner significanceThey symbolize the surge of prāṇa and heroic will: collective energies that can either disrupt (as lightning/wrath) or protect and uplift when harmonized through right intention and sacrifice.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVāsiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha-gotra), traditionally linked with the Saptarṣi line · Foremost seer-priest of the Rig Veda’s 7th Maṇḍala, renowned for hymns of powerful ritual speech, royal priesthood (purohita) themes, and the Vasiṣṭha–Viśvāmitra rivalry in later tradition
Famous verses
madhvo vo nāma mārutam
ṛdhak sā vo maruto didyud astu
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- storm-host (gaṇa) and collective divinity
- lightning and brilliance (didyut)
- roaring strength and swift motion
- world-shaking power
- helpers in releasing waters/abundance
- protectors granting svasti (well-being)
- responsive to praise and ritual order
Also by this seer
- Majority of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 hymns (Vāsiṣṭha family collection)
- Hymns to Varuṇa–Mitra, Agni, Indra, and the Maruts across Maṇḍala 7
- Later Vedic/Itihāsa memory as a paradigmatic brahmarṣi and royal counselor
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the sacred fire (Agni) and establish a calm, ordered ritual space.
- Recite the opening praises inviting the Maruts as ‘honey-named’ powers who rejoice in yajña (e.g., RV 7.57.1).
- Offer oblations while naming their troop-like presence, brilliance, and world-stirring force.
- Insert a confession/appeasement segment asking that any offense be forgiven and that their lightning be kept apart (RV 7.57.4).
- Conclude with a comprehensive invitation ‘from every side’ for help to leaders and the community, sealing with a protection formula (RV 7.57.7).
Offerings
- ghee (ājya) into Agni
- soma-libation where applicable
- simple grains or cakes (puroḍāśa) in broader śrauta/household adaptations
- water libations and fragrant offerings as regional practice permits
Frequently Asked Questions
The Maruts are a shining troop of storm and wind deities, known for thunder, lightning, swift movement, and protective help when properly invoked in the sacrifice.
Because their power is intense: the hymn admits that humans may err, and it seeks forgiveness and a safe, benevolent form of their energy rather than destructive force.
It asks them to come with help from every side, strengthen the community and its leaders, increase strength greatly, and protect everyone continually with well-being (svasti).
Ask anything about Sukta 57 of the Rig Veda
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.
