Sukta 56

Mantra 1

अग्ने शर्धन्तमा गणं पिष्टं रुक्मेभिरञ्जिभिः । विशो अद्य मरुतामव ह्वये दिवश्चिद्रोचनादधि ॥

O Agni, I call down today the thronging host of the Maruts—compact in their unity, gleaming with golden adornments—coming even from the luminous realm of heaven. Let these powers descend into our human community and kindle the right movement.

Mantra 2

यथा चिन्मन्यसे हृदा तदिन्मे जग्मुराशसः । ये ते नेदिष्ठं हवनान्यागमन्तान्वर्ध भीमसंदृशः ॥

Whatever you intend in your heart, that indeed my hopes have reached. Those invocations that have come nearest to you—strengthen them, O you of formidable vision, so that the call becomes a sure channel for your power.

Mantra 3

मीळ्हुष्मतीव पृथिवी पराहता मदन्त्येत्यस्मदा । ऋक्षो न वो मरुतः शिमीवाँ अमो दुध्रो गौरिव भीमयुः ॥

As the earth, rich in yielding power, is struck and shaken, so a surging exhilaration comes toward us. Like a bear is your impetuous force, O Maruts—unyielding, bull-like in its drive, formidable in its onset.

Mantra 4

नि ये रिणन्त्योजसा वृथा गावो न दुर्धुरः । अश्मानं चित्स्वर्यं पर्वतं गिरिं प्र च्यावयन्ति यामभिः ॥

They drive down with their might, like cattle that cannot be held back. Even the sky-seeking stone, the mountain, the hill—they set it in motion by their courses. So too they dislodge the fixed resistances in us and make the path move.

Mantra 5

उत्तिष्ठ नूनमेषां स्तोमैः समुक्षितानाम् । मरुतां पुरुतममपूर्व्यं गवां सर्गमिव ह्वये ॥

Rise up now with these—who are well-invigorated by hymns. I call the Maruts, most abundant and unprecedented, like a releasing of the rays (cows) into the open—an outflow of luminous energies.

Mantra 6

युङ्ग्ध्वं ह्यरुषी रथे युङ्ग्ध्वं रथेषु रोहितः । युङ्ग्ध्वं हरी अजिरा धुरि वोळ्हवे वहिष्ठा धुरि वोळ्हवे ॥

Yoke, indeed, the ruddy mares to the chariot; yoke the red ones upon the chariots. Yoke the swift bay steeds at the pole to bear you—best bearers at the pole to bear you. Let the divine energies be harnessed into a right, effective movement.

Mantra 7

उत स्य वाज्यरुषस्तुविष्वणिरिह स्म धायि दर्शतः । मा वो यामेषु मरुतश्चिरं करत्प्र तं रथेषु चोदत ॥

And this ruddy, prize-bearing, mighty-sounding one has been set here—visible to the eye. Let him not delay you long upon your journeys, O Maruts; urge him forward upon the chariots. May the swift instrument of force carry the movement without obstruction.

Mantra 8

रथं नु मारुतं वयं श्रवस्युमा हुवामहे । आ यस्मिन्तस्थौ सुरणानि बिभ्रती सचा मरुत्सु रोदसी ॥

Now we call inwardly the Marut-force, the chariot of victorious hearing and luminous fame, that dynamic movement which bears us forward. Into it the two vast worlds, Heaven and Earth, enter and take their stand, carrying their divine delights, united in harmony with the Maruts.

Mantra 9

तं वः शर्धं रथेशुभं त्वेषं पनस्युमा हुवे । यस्मिन्त्सुजाता सुभगा महीयते सचा मरुत्सु मीळ्हुषी ॥

That host of yours, splendid on the chariot, impetuous and eager for the right delight, we call towards us. In it the well-born, fortunate Power grows in greatness, joined with the Maruts—she who is generous in her giving.