Rig Veda Sukta 61
Mandala 5Sukta 6119 Mantras

Sukta 61

Sukta 5.61

Rishi

Śyāvāśva Ātreya (traditional for RV 5.61)

Devata

Maruts (likely continuation of Marut context from 5.60; ‘naraḥ’ commonly fits Maruts as heroic troop)

Chandas

Anuṣṭubh (probable; short verse)

Kidung ini menyapa para Marut sebagai rombongan pahlawan yang datang dari penjuru terjauh, menanyakan jati diri mereka dan mengundang kehadiran mereka yang melindungi. Ia merayakan daya mereka yang cepat laksana badai, kemampuan mereka menganugerahkan kelimpahan (sapi, kekuatan, dan “arus” pemeliharaan), serta peran mereka sebagai sekutu yang menolong sang penyanyi menyeberangi rintangan. Nada penutup menyinggung motif Weda yang lebih luas: lintasan kereta yang dermawan bergerak mengikuti “sapi-sapi” bercahaya (sinar/kekayaan), menambatkan anugerah Marut pada tatanan kosmis.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.61

Mantras

Mantra 1

के ष्ठा नरः श्रेष्ठतमा य एकएक आयय । परमस्याः परावतः ॥

Siapakah kalian, wahai para pahlawan, yang paling unggul, yang datang—masing-masing seorang diri—dari kejauhan paling jauh, dari alam tertinggi yang mahatinggi?

Mantra 2

क्व वोऽश्वाः क्वाभीशवः कथं शेक कथा यय । पृष्ठे सदो नसोर्यमः ॥

Di manakah kuda-kudamu, di manakah tali kendalinya? Bagaimana engkau mampu, bagaimana engkau bergerak—bagaimana dudukmu di atas punggung, dan apakah kuk/yoking serta ukuran lintasanmu?

Mantra 3

जघने चोद एषां वि सक्थानि नरो यमुः । पुत्रकृथे न जनयः ॥

Di bagian belakang mereka ada dorongan; para pahlawan merenggangkan paha mereka—laksana para pembangkit, demi terciptanya seorang putra.

Mantra 4

परा वीरास एतन मर्यासो भद्रजानयः । अग्नितपो यथासथ ॥

Majulah, wahai para pahlawan; melangkahlah ke depan, wahai para pemuda yang lahir dari keberuntungan. Jadilah sebagaimana adanya kalian—laksana mereka yang tapas-nya adalah Agni, menyala oleh daya-api.

Mantra 5

सनत्साश्व्यं पशुमुत गव्यं शतावयम् । श्यावाश्वस्तुताय या दोर्वीरायोपबर्बृहत् ॥

Ia memperoleh baginya kekayaan kuda yang melimpah, kekayaan ternak, dan pertambahan seratus kali lipat; dia yang, demi pujian Śyāvāśva, meneguhkan daya bagi sang pahlawan berlengan perkasa.

Mantra 6

उत त्वा स्त्री शशीयसी पुंसो भवति वस्यसी । अदेवत्रादराधसः ॥

Bahkan seorang perempuan, demi engkau, menjadi lebih kuat daripada seorang laki-laki; lindungilah (kami) dari yang tak berdewa, dari yang tak meraih keberhasilan.

Mantra 7

वि या जानाति जसुरिं वि तृष्यन्तं वि कामिनम् । देवत्रा कृणुते मनः ॥

Dia yang mengenali dan memisahkan dorongan yang bengkok, desakan yang haus, dan hasrat yang mengidam—dia mengarahkan batin menuju jalan ilahi.

Mantra 8

उत घा नेमो अस्तुतः पुमाँ इति ब्रुवे पणिः । स वैरदेय इत्समः ॥

Dan sungguh, Paṇi berkata: “Ia hanyalah seorang manusia, tak dipuji dan tanpa penghormatan”; namun di medan persaingan dan pemberian itu juga, ia setara dengan mereka.

Mantra 9

उत मेऽरपद्युवतिर्ममन्दुषी प्रति श्यावाय वर्तनिम् । वि रोहिता पुरुमीळ्हाय येमतुर्विप्राय दीर्घयशसे ॥

Dan bagiku, daya muda yang bercahaya itu maju—yang menggembirakan—menyusuri jalan yang menghadap kegelapan; dan dua tenaga kemerahan itu mendesak maju bagi Yang Mahamurah, bagi sang ṛṣi yang termasyhur jauh-membentang.

Mantra 10

यो मे धेनूनां शतं वैददश्विर्यथा ददत् । तरन्त इव मंहना ॥

Dia yang menemukan bagiku seratus aliran dari daya-daya pemelihara (dhenu), dan memberikannya sebagaimana patut—ia bagaikan seorang yang menyeberang melampaui, oleh dorongan kelimpahan.

Mantra 11

य ईं वहन्त आशुभिः पिबन्तो मदिरं मधु । अत्र श्रवांसि दधिरे ॥

Mereka yang mengangkutnya dengan daya-daya yang cepat, sambil meminum madu yang memabukkan—di sini mereka menegakkan kemasyhuran bercahaya mereka.

Mantra 12

येषां श्रियाधि रोदसी विभ्राजन्ते रथेष्वा । दिवि रुक्म इवोपरि ॥

Mereka yang kemuliaannya bersinar meliputi dua dunia, berkilat pada kereta-kereta mereka—laksana sinar keemasan yang ditinggikan di langit.

Mantra 13

युवा स मारुतो गणस्त्वेषरथो अनेद्यः । शुभंयावाप्रतिष्कुतः ॥

Muda adanya pasukan Marut itu, dengan kereta-kereta yang menyala, tanpa cela; bergerak dalam keindahan, tak terhalau dan tak terhambat.

Mantra 14

को वेद नूनमेषां यत्रा मदन्ति धूतयः । ऋतजाता अरेपसः ॥

Siapakah yang kini sungguh mengetahui di mana mereka—yang berkilau murni—mabuk ekstasi? Terlahir dari Ṛta, tanpa noda dalam keberadaan mereka.

Mantra 15

यूयं मर्तं विपन्यवः प्रणेतार इत्था धिया । श्रोतारो यामहूतिषु ॥

Kalian, wahai kuasa-kuasa yang mengagumkan, menuntun insan fana dengan visi yang benar ini, dengan dhī; kalian adalah para pendengar seruan dalam perjalanan-jalanan pemanggilan.

Mantra 16

ते नो वसूनि काम्या पुरुश्चन्द्रा रिशादसः । आ यज्ञियासो ववृत्तन ॥

Bawalah kepada kami kekayaan yang diidamkan—banyak-bercahaya dan luas-sinar, wahai pemusnah bahaya; berpalinglah kemari, kalian yang layak bagi yajña.

Mantra 17

एतं मे स्तोममूर्म्ये दार्भ्याय परा वह । गिरो देवि रथीरिव ॥

Wahai Dewi yang lahir dari gelombang, bawalah ke hadapan kidung pujianku ini kepada Dārbhya; wahai Dewi, angkutlah ucapan-ucapan ilhamku laksana sais membawa kereta, agar sabda tiba utuh pada tujuannya di dalam sang pencari.

Mantra 18

उत मे वोचतादिति सुतसोमे रथवीतौ । न कामो अप वेति मे ॥

Dan biarlah itu diucapkan untukku—“demikian!”—dalam gerak pembawa-kereta tempat Soma diperas; kehendakku untuk meraih tidak surut; nyala hasrat-aspirasiku tidak pergi.

Mantra 19

एष क्षेति रथवीतिर्मघवा गोमतीरनु । पर्वतेष्वपश्रितः ॥

Inilah gerak-kereta yang menetap dari Sang Dermawan: ia bergerak mengikuti ‘sapi-sapi’ yang bercahaya (sinar pengetahuan), bersandar pada ketinggian—ditopang oleh gunung-gunung kesadaran yang teguh.

Inside Sukta 61

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct questioning-invitation: ‘Who are you, O heroes?’—marveling at the Maruts’ arrival from the highest, farthest realm.

  2. Development

    Praise expands into their collective might, speed, and generosity, tying their storm-energy to concrete boons (cattle, nourishment, strength) and to the singer’s safe passage beyond difficulty.

  3. Climax

    A vivid bestowal motif: the divine helper ‘finds’ and grants abundant ‘streams’ of nourishment—power that enables crossing beyond (taranta iva).

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn settles into assurance of beneficent guidance and a stable ‘chariot-course’ of the bounteous power moving along the luminous ‘cows,’ suggesting enduring support and ordered progress.

The deity: Maruts

  • In the VedaA youthful, shining troop of storm-gods—‘heroes’ (naraḥ)—who ride with roar and lightning, armed with spears, and accompanied by rain and wind. They are praised as swift, splendid, and formidable, yet also generous givers of wealth and protectors of the singer.
  • Cosmic functionThey animate the atmosphere: stirring winds, releasing rains, and supporting Indra’s victory by energizing the storm and the onward movement of the cosmic order.
  • Inner significanceThe Maruts symbolize the surge of prāṇa and courage—dynamic forces that break inertia, clear inner obstacles, and bring the ‘rain’ of inspiration and increase.

The seer

  • Śyāvāśva ĀtreyaĀtreya (Atri-gotra) · A prominent Atri-line seer in Mandala 5, noted for vivid Marut hymns that blend praise, invitation, and requests for protection and bounty.

Famous verses

ke ṣṭhā naraḥ śreṣṭhatamāḥ
Verse 5.61.1Sets the hymn’s tone with a striking address to the Maruts as ‘heroes’ arriving from the supreme distance, combining wonder, invitation, and recognition of their transcendence.Read verse 5.61.1 →
taranta iva maṃhanā
Verse 5.61.10Highlights the boon-bestowal theme—abundant ‘streams’/nourishments granted so the worshipper ‘crosses beyond,’ a core Vedic image for overcoming danger and limitation.Read verse 5.61.10 →
rathavītir maghavā gomatīḥ
Verse 5.61.19Concludes with the evocative ‘ratha-vīti’ image of the bounteous course moving along ‘gomatīḥ’ (luminous cows/wealth), linking gift, guidance, and cosmic support (mountain-heights).Read verse 5.61.19 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Heroic troop (gaṇa)
  • Swift, chariot-riding
  • Roaring, thunderous
  • Weapon-bearing (spears, brilliance)
  • Rain-bringing and life-increasing
  • Protective allies of the worshipper
  • Associated with vigor, youthful splendor, and collective power

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 5 hymns traditionally attributed to the Ātreyas (including several Marut- and Indra-related sūktas in the Atri corpus)
  • Participation in the broader Ātreya hymn-cycle emphasizing storm-deities, protection in battle, and prosperity (rayi)

The rite, step by step

  • Kindle Agni and establish the offering-fire (āhavanīya) with purification and intention (saṅkalpa).
  • Recite opening verses inviting the Maruts, acknowledging their distant origin and swift arrival.
  • Offer oblations while praising their brightness, strength, and protective companionship.
  • State petitions: safety in travel/battle, abundance of cattle/food, and removal of obstacles.
  • Conclude with reaffirmation of their beneficence and a closing praise that links their gifts to the right course (ratha-vīti) and order.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations into Agni
  • Soma libations (where applicable)
  • Grain-cakes or simple food offerings (puroḍāśa in extended rites)
  • Water/clarified butter with accompanying praise-formulas

Frequently Asked Questions

In this sukta, ‘naraḥ’ most naturally refers to the Maruts—the heroic troop of storm-deities known for speed, brilliance, and protective power.

It invites their presence and seeks protection, victory over obstacles, and increase of prosperity—often expressed as cattle, nourishment, and strong forward movement.

Depending on reading, ‘cows’ can mean literal wealth (cattle) and also luminous rays or insights—signs of abundance and clarity granted by divine power.

Ask anything about Sukta 61 of the Rig Veda

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