Rig Veda Sukta 59
Mandala 5Sukta 598 Mantras

Sukta 59

Sukta 5.59

Rishi

Atri (Ātreya tradition) (traditional attribution for RV 5.59 to the Atris)

Devata

Marutaḥ (Maruts, Rudra’s storm-powers)

Chandas

Jagatī (probable for RV 5.59; verse-length suggests Jagatī/Triṣṭubh family—requires metrical verification)

Ten hymn chwali Marutów jako budzących lęk burzowe zastępy, których spieszne nadejście sprawia, że ziemia drży, a ich uporządkowany, ptaki podobny lot przesuwa się przez niebiańskie grzbiety. Hymn głosi ich piękno i bojowy przepych, ich szybkie rumaki oraz ich moc rozluźniania mas chmur z góry, uwalniając deszcze i poszerzając przestrzenie dla życia i ofiary.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 5.59

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र वः स्पळक्रन्त्सुविताय दावनेऽर्चा दिवे प्र पृथिव्या ऋतं भरे । उक्षन्ते अश्वान्तरुषन्त आ रजोऽनु स्वं भानुं श्रथयन्ते अर्णवैः ॥

Wyskoczyliście naprzód dla błogiej podróży i dawania; przynoszę śpiew do Nieba i do Ziemi, niosąc Prawo. Wasze rumaki nabierają mocy; pędzą przez lśniące przestrzenie, a wzdłuż własnej jasności uwalniają potoki, wypuszczając strumienne pełnie, które otwierają drogę.

Mantra 2

अमादेषां भियसा भूमिरेजति नौर्न पूर्णा क्षरति व्यथिर्यती । दूरेदृशो ये चितयन्त एमभिरन्तर्महे विदथे येतिरे नरः ॥

Od ich samej obecności i grozy ziemia drży; jak pełny okręt wylewa się poruszenie i przelała się. Dalekowidzący są ci bohaterowie, którzy zauważają przez swoje natarcia; wchodzą w wielkie zgromadzenie świadomości, przybywając do wewnętrznego posiedzenia, gdzie Prawda ma być ustanowiona.

Mantra 3

गवामिव श्रियसे शृङ्गमुत्तमं सूर्यो न चक्षू रजसो विसर्जने । अत्या इव सुभ्वश्चारवः स्थन मर्या इव श्रियसे चेतथा नरः ॥

Jak najwyższy róg lśniących stad, i jak oko Słońca przy uwalnianiu przestrzeni światów, zajmujecie waszą stację, jasni, pięknie poruszający się, jak szybkie rumaki; jak młodzi wojownicy budzicie się ku chwale, o mężowie (Marutowie).

Mantra 4

को वो महान्ति महतामुदश्नवत्कस्काव्या मरुतः को ह पौंस्या । यूयं ह भूमिं किरणं न रेजथ प्र यद्भरध्वे सुविताय दावने ॥

Kto spośród was osiąga wielkie czyny Wielkich, o Marutowie, kto natchnioną mądrość, kto męską moc? Albowiem sprawiacie, że ziemia drży jak rozpraszający się promień, gdy unosicie się naprzód dla dobrej podróży, dla dawania.

Mantra 5

अश्वा इवेदरुषासः सबन्धवः शूरा इव प्रयुधः प्रोत युयुधुः । मर्या इव सुवृधो वावृधुर्नरः सूर्यस्य चक्षुः प्र मिनन्ति वृष्टिभिः ॥

Jak czerwonawe rumaki zaprawdę, złączone jako krewni, jak bohaterowie uzbrojeni do natarcia parzą naprzód i walczą; jak młodzi wojownicy wzrastają w dobrym powiększeniu, te moce przyciemniają oko Słońca swoimi deszczami (aby ukryte światło mogło zostać na nowo uwolnione).

Mantra 6

ते अज्येष्ठा अकनिष्ठास उद्भिदोऽमध्यमासो महसा वि वावृधुः । सुजातासो जनुषा पृश्निमातरो दिवो मर्या आ नो अच्छा जिगातन ॥

Oni są bez najstarszego i bez najmłodszego, przełamujący wyjście, bez środka, przez wielkość rozprzestrzenili się w szerokości; dobrze urodzeni przez narodziny, synowie Priszni, młodzieńcy Nieba, przyjdźcie do nas, tutaj, do naszego wezwania.

Mantra 7

वयो न ये श्रेणीः पप्तुरोजसान्तान्दिवो बृहतः सानुनस्परि । अश्वास एषामुभये यथा विदुः प्र पर्वतस्य नभनूँरचुच्यवुः ॥

Jak ptaki w uporządkowanym locie przyspieszyli swoją siłą wokół krańców grzbietu rozległego Nieba; ich rumaki znają obie drogi tak jak one, naprzód strząsnęły masy chmur z góry.

Mantra 8

मिमातु द्यौरदितिर्वीतये नः सं दानुचित्रा उषसो यतन्ताम् । आचुच्यवुर्दिव्यं कोशमेत ऋषे रुद्रस्य मरुतो गृणानाः ॥

Niech Niebo i Aditi odmierzą dla naszego używania; niech wielce obdarzone Jutrznie wspólnie się starają. Ci Marutowie Rudry, śpiewani przez widzącego, zrzucili i przybliżyli boski skarbiec.

Inside Sukta 59

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by presenting the Maruts’ awe: their mere presence makes the earth tremble and their approach is felt like a surging, overflowing motion.

  2. Development

    Their far-seeing, disciplined host is described in vivid images—radiant like the sun’s eye, stationed like swift steeds and youthful warriors, moving in ordered ranks across heaven’s heights.

  3. Climax

    Their peak action is storm-cosmic: they rush around the ridge of heaven and shake loose the cloud-masses from the mountain, releasing the waters.

  4. Where it settles

    The praise settles into a devotional aim: may this same formidable power become beneficent—supporting the rite, widening the space for life, and granting protection and splendour.

The deity: Marutaḥ

  • In the VedaThe Maruts are Rudra’s youthful, radiant storm-companions—loud, swift, and splendid—moving in companies, shaking earth and heaven, and driving the rains by breaking open the cloud-mountains.
  • Cosmic functionThey animate the atmosphere: stirring winds, thunder, and rain, clearing and widening the mid-space (antarikṣa), and supporting the cosmic order by their dynamic force.
  • Inner significanceThey symbolize disciplined life-forces and vigorous impulses that, when harmonized, break inner obstruction, release the ‘rains’ of clarity, and propel consciousness toward a greater assembly of truth.

The seer

  • Atri (Ātreya tradition)Ātreya (Atri-gotra) · One of the ancient ṛṣis of the Rigveda, associated with luminous insight and the Atri family corpus in Mandala 5; later tradition remembers him among the Saptarṣis and as a paradigmatic seer of inner light.

Famous verses

अमादेषां भियसा भूमिरेजति नौर्न पूर्णा क्षरति व्यथिर्यती । दूरेदृशो ये चितयन्त एमभिरन्तर्महे विदथे येतिरे नरः ॥
Verse 5.59.2Captures the Maruts’ numinous approach—earth trembling, surging movement, and their entry into the ‘great assembly’ of the rite—linking cosmic storm to sacred gathering.Read verse 5.59.2 →
गवामिव श्रियसे शृङ्गमुत्तमं सूर्यो न चक्षू रजसो विसर्जने । अत्या इव सुभ्वश्चारवः स्थन मर्या इव श्रियसे चेतथा नरः ॥
Verse 5.59.3A concentrated portrait of Marut splendour: sun-like vision, radiant station, swift-steed imagery, and youthful-warrior awakening toward śrī (splendour).Read verse 5.59.3 →
वयो न ये श्रेणीः पप्तुरोजसान्तान्दिवो बृहतः सानुनस्परि । अश्वास एषामुभये यथा विदुः प्र पर्वतस्य नभनूँरचुच्यवुः ॥
Verse 5.59.7States their characteristic storm-function with clarity: ordered flight across heaven’s ridge and the decisive release of cloud-masses from the mountain (rain-making power).Read verse 5.59.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • company/host moving in formation
  • swift, forceful onrush (ojas)
  • thunderous, storm-bringing power
  • radiant beauty and youthful splendour
  • cloud-releasing, mountain-shaking action
  • protective allies of the sacrifice

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 5 (many hymns traditionally attributed to the Atris/Ātreyas)
  • Atri-associated traditions in later Vedic-Itihāsa-Purāṇic literature (Saptarṣi lists; Atri as progenitor of the Ātreyas)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni as the mouth of offering.
  • Recite the Marut-stotra verses to invite the host in orderly approach.
  • Offer oblations while naming their splendour, speed, and rain-releasing power.
  • Request protection for the sacrificer and right movement of the rite (ṛta).
  • Conclude with a settling prayer: may their force become auspicious and life-supporting.

Offerings

  • ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • Soma libations (where applicable)
  • oblations of clarified butter with accompanying praise (stuti)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Maruts are a host of youthful storm-powers linked with Rudra. The hymn portrays them as radiant, fast-moving companions who bring thunder, wind, and rain while protecting the sacrifice.

It celebrates the Maruts’ splendour and disciplined movement, and asks that their tremendous storm-force become helpful—releasing rains, clearing obstacles, and strengthening the ritual and the community.

This is a common Vedic image for rain-making: the Maruts ‘break open’ or loosen the cloud-masses from the mountain, symbolizing the release of waters that nourish the world and sustain prosperity.

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