Rig Veda Sukta 94
Mandala 8Sukta 9412 Mantras

Sukta 94

Sukta 8.94

Devata

Marut (Maruts), with allied deities implied (bountiful powers)

この讃歌は、光り輝き猛進する力としてのマルトの群れを招く。彼らは障碍を打ち破り、流れゆく水のように進み、力と明澄さと勝利の勢いをもたらす。さらにその宇宙的な嵐のエネルギーをソーマ祭と結び、山に座す雄々しき者たちとして、搾り出されたソーマを享受し、祭主の高まりと名声を推し進めよと呼びかける。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.94

Mantras

Mantra 1

गौर्धयति मरुतां श्रवस्युर्माता मघोनाम् । युक्ता वह्नी रथानाम् ॥

光の牝牛はマルット(Maruts)を養い、光輝の名声を求める彼女は、恵み多き諸力の母となる。轭せられて、彼らの戦車の駆り立てる力となる。

Mantra 2

यस्या देवा उपस्थे व्रता विश्वे धारयन्ते । सूर्यामासा दृशे कम् ॥

その御膝(みひざ)において、神々はすべての誓戒・正しき働きの法を支え保つ。そこに太陽と月とは、見るために据えられ——観照が成就するために。

Mantra 3

तत्सु नो विश्वे अर्य आ सदा गृणन्ति कारवः । मरुतः सोमपीतये ॥

その目的のために、すべての高貴なる力が、つねに我らに向かって歌い讃えますように——おおマルット(Maruts)よ——ソーマ(Soma)を飲むために、内なる甘露の歓喜のために。

Mantra 4

अस्ति सोमो अयं सुतः पिबन्त्यस्य मरुतः । उत स्वराजो अश्विना ॥

ここにソーマ(Soma)は在り、搾られて整えられた。マルット(Maruts)はこれを飲み、また自ら統べるアシュヴィン(Aśvins)も——迅速にして光輝ある働きの力も。

Mantra 5

पिबन्ति मित्रो अर्यमा तना पूतस्य वरुणः । त्रिषधस्थस्य जावतः ॥

ミトラとアリヤマンは飲む。ヴァルナもまた、浄められたソーマ——三つの座に住し、速やかに進むそのソーマを飲む。

Mantra 6

उतो न्वस्य जोषमाँ इन्द्रः सुतस्य गोमतः । प्रातर्होतेव मत्सति ॥

そして今、インドラもまた、この搾り出された、光に富むソーマの歓喜の受納へと来る。朝には供犠の祭司のように歓喜する。

Mantra 7

कदत्विषन्त सूरयस्तिर आप इव स्रिधः । अर्षन्ति पूतदक्षसः ॥

いつ、光ある者たちは燃え立ち、障碍を越えて、水が通り抜けるように進むのか。彼らは流れゆく——働きの力が浄められた者たち。

Mantra 8

कद्वो अद्य महानां देवानामवो वृणे । त्मना च दस्मवर्चसाम् ॥

いつ、今日、わが身みずからによって、偉大なる神々なる汝らの加護を選び取ることができようか。ああ、讃うべき光輝を具える者たちよ。

Mantra 9

आ ये विश्वा पार्थिवानि पप्रथन्रोचना दिवः । मरुतः सोमपीतये ॥

来たれ、地上のあらゆる領域をひろげ、天の輝く広がりをも展開した汝らよ——マルト(Maruts)よ——ソーマ(Soma)を飲むために。

Mantra 10

त्यान्नु पूतदक्षसो दिवो वो मरुतो हुवे । अस्य सोमस्य पीतये ॥

その汝ら、清められた働きの力を具える、天のマルト(Maruts)よ、いま汝らを呼ぶ——このソーマ(Soma)を飲むために。

Mantra 11

त्यान्नु ये वि रोदसी तस्तभुर्मरुतो हुवे । अस्य सोमस्य पीतये ॥

いま我は、二つの世界—天と地—を広く据えひろげたマルトたち(Maruts)を呼ぶ。彼らがこのソーマ(Soma)を飲まんことを。生命の息の力なる神威として、内なる天と地を支え、ひろげ、神聖なる歓喜を悦ばしめるために。

Mantra 12

त्यं नु मारुतं गणं गिरिष्ठां वृषणं हुवे । अस्य सोमस्य पीतये ॥

いま我は、山に坐し、雄々しきマルトの群(Marut-gaṇa)を呼ぶ。彼らがこのソーマ(Soma)を飲まんことを—存在の高みに立つ疾き神威、魂の上昇へと雄渾の力を注ぎ入れる者たちを。

Inside Sukta 94

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A luminous ‘Cow of Light’ is portrayed as nurturing the Maruts and becoming the mother/source of bountiful powers, yoked as the driving force of their chariots.

  2. Development

    The hymn shifts to the Maruts’ shining emergence and their purified, streaming advance that crosses beyond hindrances, emphasizing momentum, clarity, and irresistible passage.

  3. Climax

    The poet’s direct call to the mountain-seated, strong Marut-host to come for Soma-drinking—uniting storm-force with sacrificial exhilaration.

  4. Where it settles

    The invocation settles into assured participation: the Maruts are welcomed as allies whose energized presence supports the rite and the sacrificer’s ascent and success.

The deity: Maruts

  • In the VedaThe Maruts are a gleaming troop (gaṇa) of storm-gods—young, fierce, and radiant—often pictured with chariots, spears, and roaring winds, moving from the heights and shaking heaven and earth. They are praised as purified in action, blazing forth, and irresistible in their onward rush.
  • Cosmic functionThey drive the winds, stir the storm and rain, clear the atmosphere, and aid Indra in overcoming resistances; as a host, they embody coordinated force that opens paths and releases the waters.
  • Inner significancePsychologically, the Maruts signify dynamic life-forces and awakened energies that purify the faculties (dakṣa), break inner impediments, and carry aspiration upward—especially under the exhilaration and clarity symbolized by Soma.

Famous verses

gauḥ dhayati marutām
Verse 8.94.1Establishes the hymn’s central image: a luminous source (‘Cow of Light’) nurturing the Maruts and acting as the impelling force of their chariots—linking radiance, nourishment, and dynamic movement.Read verse 8.94.1 →
कदत्विषन्त सूरयस्तिर आप इव स्रिधः । अर्षन्ति पूतदक्षसः ॥
Verse 8.94.7Captures the Maruts/illumined powers as blazing forth and surging past obstacles ‘like waters,’ highlighting purification of action (dakṣa) and unstoppable forward flow.Read verse 8.94.7 →
mārutaṃ gaṇam ... somasya pītaye
Verse 8.94.12The culminating invitation: the Marut-host, mountain-seated and strong, is called explicitly to drink the Soma—showing the hymn’s ritual purpose and its spiritual thrust toward ascent.Read verse 8.94.12 →

Attributes of the deity

  • host-like collective power (gaṇa)
  • radiance and blazing energy
  • swift movement like rushing waters
  • mountain-seated/height-dwelling (giriṣṭha)
  • purifying efficacy (pūta-dakṣasaḥ)
  • battle-strength and virility (vṛṣaṇa)
  • chariot-driving, impelling force (vahni)

Also by this seer

  • Attribution uncertain; no secure, single-author corpus can be assigned for RV 8.94 beyond its placement in Mandala 8 collections.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and sacred space; kindle Agni and establish the offering order.
  • Press Soma, filter/clarify it, and set it in offering vessels.
  • Recite the Marut-focused verses to invite the host as a unified troop.
  • Offer Soma with accompanying libations; request obstacle-removal and victorious passage.
  • Conclude with reaffirmation of their arrival and participation, seeking protection and increase of fame/strength.

Offerings

  • Soma juice (pressed and offered)
  • clarified butter (ghee) as ancillary offering
  • oblations accompanying Marut invocation (standard Soma-rite accompaniments)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Maruts are a troop of storm and wind deities, described as radiant and forceful. Here they represent a coordinated host that breaks through obstacles and brings energizing power.

In Vedic ritual, Soma is offered to deities to draw their presence and support. Calling the Maruts to Soma seeks their strength, protection, and momentum for the sacrifice and the worshipper’s aims.

It is a symbolic image for a luminous nourishing power that ‘feeds’ and supports the Maruts. It suggests a source of radiance and vitality that becomes the driving force behind their swift chariots.

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