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)

この讃歌は、最も遠い境から来臨する勇壮な群れとしてマルトたちに呼びかけ、その正体を問いつつ、守護の臨在を招き入れる。彼らの疾風・嵐のごとき迅速な力、豊穣(牛、力、養いの「流れ」)を授ける能力、そして歌い手が障碍を越えて向こう岸へ渡るのを助ける同盟者としての役割を称える。結びでは、光り輝く「牝牛」(光線/富)に沿って進む豊かな戦車の道という広いヴェーダ的主題に触れ、マルトの贈与が宇宙の秩序に根差すことを示す。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.61

Mantras

Mantra 1

के ष्ठा नरः श्रेष्ठतमा य एकएक आयय । परमस्याः परावतः ॥

汝らは誰か、英雄たちよ――最も卓れた者たちよ――汝らは各々ひとりで、至高の界の最も遠き彼方より来たりしや。

Mantra 2

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

汝らの馬はどこに、手綱はどこにあるのか。いかにして成し、いかにして進むのか——背の上の座はどう定まり、行路の軛度(はかり)は何であるのか。

Mantra 3

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

彼らの後ろには駆り立てる衝きがあり、英雄たちは腿を大きく開く——子を成すために交わる生み手のごとく。

Mantra 4

परा वीरास एतन मर्यासो भद्रजानयः । अग्नितपो यथासथ ॥

進み出よ、勇士たちよ。進め、吉き生まれの若人たちよ。汝らはそのままに進む——アグニ(Agni)を苦行(tapas)の火とする者のごとく、火力に燃えて。

Mantra 5

सनत्साश्व्यं पशुमुत गव्यं शतावयम् । श्यावाश्वस्तुताय या दोर्वीरायोपबर्बृहत् ॥

彼女は彼のために、馬に富む富、牛の財、そして百倍の増益を勝ち得た。Śyāvāśva(シュヤーヴァーシュヴァ)の讃歌のために、腕の勇士の威力をいよいよ強めたその方は。

Mantra 6

उत त्वा स्त्री शशीयसी पुंसो भवति वस्यसी । अदेवत्रादराधसः ॥

また汝のためには、女でさえ男に勝って、いよいよ強く、いよいよすぐれた者となる。無神の者と、成就なき者とから(われらを)守りたまえ。

Mantra 7

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

彼女は、曲がれる衝動を、渇き求める駆り立てを、貪り求める欲望を、見分けて切り分ける。彼女は心を神々の道へと向けさせる。

Mantra 8

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

またパニ(Paṇi)は言う。「彼はただの人、讃えられず、敬礼もない」と。だが競いと施与とのまさにその場において、彼は彼らと等しい。

Mantra 9

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

またわたしのために、若く輝く力――歓喜をもたらすもの――は、闇に向かう道を進んだ。二つの紅の力は、多く恵む者のために、遠く広がる名声をもつ聖見者(vipra)のために、なお押し進めた。

Mantra 10

यो मे धेनूनां शतं वैददश्विर्यथा ददत् । तरन्त इव मंहना ॥

わたしのために、養いの力の百の流れを見いだし、ふさわしくそれを与えたその者は、豊かな衝きの力によって彼岸へ渡る者のようだ。

Mantra 11

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

疾き力で彼を運ぶ者たち、酔わせる蜜(マドゥ)を飲む者たち——ここに彼らは、光り輝く名声を据え置いた。

Mantra 12

येषां श्रियाधि रोदसी विभ्राजन्ते रथेष्वा । दिवि रुक्म इवोपरि ॥

その輝きは二界(天と地)の上に照りわたり、戦車の上で閃く——天に高く掲げられた黄金の光のごとく。

Mantra 13

युवा स मारुतो गणस्त्वेषरथो अनेद्यः । शुभंयावाप्रतिष्कुतः ॥

若々しきはそのマルット(Marut)の群れ、燃え立つ戦車を備え、非の打ちどころなく;美のうちに進み、退けられず、妨げられない。

Mantra 14

को वेद नूनमेषां यत्रा मदन्ति धूतयः । ऋतजाता अरेपसः ॥

いま、誰がまことに知ろうか――この清らかに輝く者たちが、いずこで恍惚に酔いしれるのか。ṛta(真理・宇宙秩序)より生まれ、汚れなき者たち。

Mantra 15

यूयं मर्तं विपन्यवः प्रणेतार इत्था धिया । श्रोतारो यामहूतिषु ॥

汝ら、妙なる力の者よ、この正しき観照の智慧によって人を導く。祈りの旅路において、汝らは呼びかけを聴き取る者。

Mantra 16

ते नो वसूनि काम्या पुरुश्चन्द्रा रिशादसः । आ यज्ञियासो ववृत्तन ॥

われらに望ましき財宝をもたらせ――多く輝き、広く照らすものを。害を滅する者よ。祭祀にふさわしき汝らよ、ここへ向かい来たれ。

Mantra 17

एतं मे स्तोममूर्म्ये दार्भ्याय परा वह । गिरो देवि रथीरिव ॥

波より生まれし女神よ、このわが讃歌をダールビヤ(Dārbhya)へと運び届けよ。女神よ、御者が車を運ぶように、わが霊感の言葉を載せ、言が損なわれず求道者の目的地に至らしめよ。

Mantra 18

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

また、わがために「かくあれ」と告げられよ――ソーマ(Soma)が搾られる、車を伴う進行のただ中で。わが到達への意志は衰えず、わが内なる希求の火は去らない。

Mantra 19

एष क्षेति रथवीतिर्मघवा गोमतीरनु । पर्वतेष्वपश्रितः ॥

これぞ寛与の者の、常住する車駆りの道。彼は光り輝く「牛ら」(知の光線)に沿って進み、高みへと寄りかかる――堅固なる覚知の山々に支えられて。

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.

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