Rig Veda Sukta 38
Mandala 1Sukta 3815 Mantras

Sukta 38

Sukta 1.38

Rishi

Kaṇva (Kaṇva lineage)

Devata

Marutaḥ

Chandas

Gāyatrī/Anuṣṭubh-like? (uncertain; requires metrical verification)

この讃歌は、インドラの迅速で雷声をもつ伴侶であるマルトの群れを招き、いかなる歓喜が彼らを引き寄せるのかを問い、よく整えられた供物を受け取るよう促す。稲妻・雨・轟く力として現れる彼らの嵐の輝きを讃えつつ、祭祀者には守護と増益、そして内なる強めを求める。結びではマルトを直接に崇め、その威力が「ここ、われらの内に増し育て」と呼びかける。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.38

Mantras

Mantra 1

कद्ध नूनं कधप्रियः पिता पुत्रं न हस्तयोः । दधिध्वे वृक्तबर्हिषः ॥

いま汝らの歓びはいずこ、あの「kádha」を愛する者たちよ。父が両手に子を抱くように——汝らもまた、われらの供献を取り上げて担え。祭座(バルヒス)は刈り整えられ、清められている。

Mantra 2

क्व नूनं कद्वो अर्थं गन्ता दिवो न पृथिव्याः । क्व वो गावो न रण्यन्ति ॥

いま汝らはいずこへ、いかなる目的のために行くのか——天よりか、地よりか。汝らの、歓びつつ響きわたる光明の「牛」たちはいずこにある。求める者を喜ばせる、その光線の群れはいずこ。

Mantra 3

क्व वः सुम्ना नव्यांसि मरुतः क्व सुविता । क्वो विश्वानि सौभगा ॥

汝らの新たなる恩寵はいずこ、マルット(Marut)よ——汝らの正しき導き、幸いなる歩みはいずこ。汝らのあらゆる繁栄はいずこ——進みゆく魂にもたらす、さまざまなる吉祥は。

Mantra 4

यद्यूयं पृश्निमातरो मर्तासः स्यातन । स्तोता वो अमृतः स्यात् ॥

もし汝ら、プṛシュニ(Pṛśni)の子らが、われらのごとく死すべき者であるならば、汝らの讃歌の歌い手は汝らのために不死となろう。汝らの触れにより、人の声は死を越え、不滅の韻律へと渡る。

Mantra 5

मा वो मृगो न यवसे जरिता भूदजोष्यः । पथा यमस्य गादुप ॥

汝らの歌い手が、草を求めてさまよう野の獣のようにならぬように——まことの供物に歓びを見いださぬ者とならぬように。ヤマ(Yama)の道、内なる崩解へと下る路に近づかぬように。

Mantra 6

मो षु णः परापरा निॠतिर्दुर्हणा वधीत् । पदीष्ट तृष्णया सह ॥

往きつ戻りつする破滅、征しがたきニṛティ(Nirṛti)が、われらを打ち倒さぬように。渇き——魂を乾かす灼熱の欠乏——とともに、われらの歩みに踏み入れぬように。

Mantra 7

सत्यं त्वेषा अमवन्तो धन्वञ्चिदा रुद्रियासः । मिहं कृण्वन्त्यवाताम् ॥

まことに、燃え立ち力に満ちたルドリヤたちは、乾いた荒野の上にさえ雲雨を起こし、覆いの水を降らせて、存在に新たな充溢をもたらす。

Mantra 8

वाश्रेव विद्युन्मिमाति वत्सं न माता सिषक्ति । यदेषां वृष्टिरसर्जि ॥

牛の鳴き声のように、稲妻はその一撃一撃を測り定める。母が子牛を抱き寄せるように、彼らの力は密着して集まり—彼らの雨が放たれるとき、内なる命は守護の抱擁へと収められる。

Mantra 9

दिवा चित्तमः कृण्वन्ति पर्जन्येनोदवाहेन । यत्पृथिवीं व्युन्दन्ति ॥

昼にさえ彼らは、雨を運ぶ奔流によって闇を作り出す。彼らが大地を氾濫させ浸しゆくとき、固く定まった表層を揺り動かし、より深い層を水へと開く。

Mantra 10

अध स्वनान्मरुतां विश्वमा सद्म पार्थिवम् । अरेजन्त प्र मानुषाः ॥

さて、マルット(Maruts)の雷の叫びより、地上のあらゆる住まいはことごとく揺り動かされ、人の身は外へと震え出る――より大いなる力が、この有身の世界の家に入り来たるがゆえに。

Mantra 11

मरुतो वीळुपाणिभिश्चित्रा रोधस्वतीरनु । यातेमखिद्रयामभिः ॥

おおマルット(Maruts)よ、堅く握るその手をもって、多彩にして障壁を帯ぶる諸力に従い進め。断たれぬ行路をもって来たれ――魂の旅において尽きぬ精力よ。

Mantra 12

स्थिरा वः सन्तु नेमयो रथा अश्वास एषाम् । सुसंस्कृता अभीशवः ॥

汝らの輪縁(ねまい)よ堅固であれ、汝らの車と馬とが揺るがずあれ。手綱はよく整えられよ――かくして神なる諸力はぐらつかず進み、われらの内なる旅路を制し導かん。

Mantra 13

अच्छा वदा तना गिरा जरायै ब्रह्मणस्पतिम् । अग्निं मित्रं न दर्शतम् ॥

内なる声をもって、まっすぐに、よく語れ。歌い手の成長のために、ブラフマナスパティ(Brahmaṇaspati)を呼べ――友のごとく目に見えるアグニ(Agni)を。

Mantra 14

मिमीहि श्लोकमास्ये पर्जन्य इव ततनः । गाय गायत्रमुक्थ्यम् ॥

口の中で讃歌(śloká)を量り整えよ、パルジャニヤ(Parjanya)が雨を広げるように。ガーヤトラ(gāyatra)を歌え――厳粛な朗誦にふさわしいウクティヤ(ukthya)を。

Mantra 15

वन्दस्व मारुतं गणं त्वेषं पनस्युमर्किणम् । अस्मे वृद्धा असन्निह ॥

マルトの群れ(Marut-gaṇa)を礼拝せよ――激しく、増大を求め、讃歌の炎に富む者たちを。彼らがここ、われらのうちにて強大に育ちますように。

Inside Sukta 38

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct, almost intimate question to the Maruts—what pleases them now?—paired with an invitation to take up the prepared offering like a father lifting a son.

  2. Development

    The hymn expands into vivid storm-poetry: the Maruts’ approach, their roar, lightning, and the cohesive force with which they move and act, especially in releasing rain and sustaining life.

  3. Climax

    The Maruts’ power is portrayed at full intensity—lightning and rain as their signature—turning fearsome atmospheric force into beneficent nourishment and protection for the worshippers.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends in explicit adoration of the Marut-host and a final petition that their might and increase be established ‘here within us’ and in our community.

The deity: Marutaḥ

  • In the VedaThe Maruts are a youthful, many-formed storm-host—roaring, shining, weapon-bearing, and swift—whose coming is marked by thunder, lightning, and the release of rain. They are praised as a cohesive “gaṇa” (company) that moves together, exulting in strength and song, and are often linked with Rudra and as allies of Indra.
  • Cosmic functionThey animate the atmosphere with wind and storm, drive the rain-clouds, and energize Indra’s victory-force, thereby renewing fertility, waters, and life in the world.
  • Inner significanceThey symbolize surging prāṇa-like vitality, collective courage, and the disciplined power of a unified will—turbulent at first, but capable of becoming protective strength when aligned with truth and sacrifice.

The seer

  • KaṇvaKāṇva (Kaṇva lineage) · A prominent seer-poet of the early Rigvedic period, closely associated with hymns to Indra and the Maruts, noted for vivid storm imagery and intimate, persuasive addresses to the deities.

Famous verses

kad dha nūnaṃ ("what now, indeed?")
Verse 1.38.1Sets the tone of the hymn with a personal, invitational address: the Maruts are asked what delights them and are urged to accept the well-prepared offering.Read verse 1.38.1 →
वाश्रेव विद्युन्मिमाति वत्सं न माता सिषक्ति । यदेषां वृष्टिरसर्जि ॥
Verse 1.38.8A signature nature-image verse linking the Maruts to lightning and the release of rain, portraying their power as both forceful and protective.Read verse 1.38.8 →
vandasva mārutaṃ gaṇam
Verse 1.38.15The concluding imperative crystallizes the hymn’s purpose: adore the Marut-host and ask that their strength and growth become present ‘here’ for us.Read verse 1.38.15 →

Attributes of the deity

  • storm-host (gaṇa)
  • thunder-voiced and lightning-bright
  • swift-moving, youthful, vigorous
  • rain-releasing and life-renewing
  • protective yet awe-inspiring
  • companions/allies of Indra
  • fond of praise (arka) and song

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1 hymns in the Kāṇva collection (including adjacent Marut/Indra hymns such as RV 1.37–1.40 in traditional listings)
  • Kāṇva-related hymn cycles across the Rig Veda attributed to the Kaṇva family of seers

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare and cleanse the altar/grass-seat (barhis), establishing an orderly ritual space.
  • Kindle Agni and begin recitation with an inviting call to the Marut-host to approach.
  • Offer oblations while praising their brilliance, roar, and rain-giving power; request their companionship and protection.
  • Reaffirm their unity and benevolence; ask for increase (vṛddhi), strength, and well-being for the sacrificer and community.
  • Conclude with a focused act of adoration (vandasva) and a final petition that their power be present ‘here’ (iha).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Soma (where integrated into a soma rite)
  • Grain-cakes/oblations (puroḍāśa) as customary accompaniments
  • Words of praise (stuti/arka) as the primary ‘offering’ of the hymn

Frequently Asked Questions

The Maruts are a powerful group of storm deities—roaring like thunder and shining like lightning—who move together as a host and are closely associated with Indra.

It invites them to come to the sacrifice, accept the prepared offering, release life-giving rain, and grant protection, strength, and growth to the worshippers.

They represent intense, collective energy that can be frightening in nature but becomes a protective inner power when guided by prayer, order, and right intention.

Ask anything about Sukta 38 of the Rig Veda

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