Sukta 87
Sukta 1.87
Gautama Rāhūgaṇa (traditional for RV 1.87)
Marutaḥ
Jagatī (probable; RV 1.87 shows Jagatī/Triṣṭubh mixture, opening often Jagatī-like length)
ऋग्वेदस्य १.८७ सूक्ते मरुतः अनिवार्या युवतिगणा इव स्तूयन्ते—ऋजुगामिनः, अनम्याः, उषस इव दीप्ताः—येषां गमनं गीतं च तेजो वीर्यं च विवर्धयति। सूक्तं तेषां रक्षणं धियै प्रार्थयते, तथा तेषां सत्यं निर्भयत्वं च, अन्तःस्थं “धाम” इव बलं च, यत् उपासकं स्थिरीकरोति उन्नयति च, अभिवन्दति।
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रत्वक्षसः प्रतवसो विरप्शिनोऽनानता अविथुरा ऋजीषिणः । जुष्टतमासो नृतमासो अञ्जिभिर्व्यानज्रे के चिदुस्रा इव स्तृभिः ॥
प्रत्वक्षसः प्रतवसो विरप्शिनोऽनानता अविथुरा ऋजीषिणः। जुष्टतमासो नृतमासो अञ्जिभिर्व्यानज्रे के चिदुस्रा इव स्तृभिः॥
Mantra 2
उपह्वरेषु यदचिध्वं ययिं वय इव मरुतः केन चित्पथा । श्चोतन्ति कोशा उप वो रथेष्वा घृतमुक्षता मधुवर्णमर्चते ॥
उपह्वरेषु यदचिध्वं ययिं वय इव मरुतः केन चित्पथा। श्चोतन्ति कोशा उप वो रथेष्वा घृतमुक्षता मधुवर्णमर्चते॥
Mantra 3
प्रैषामज्मेषु विथुरेव रेजते भूमिर्यामेषु यद्ध युञ्जते शुभे । ते क्रीळयो धुनयो भ्राजदृष्टयः स्वयं महित्वं पनयन्त धूतयः ॥
तेषां प्रैषासु भूमिः विथुरेव रेजते, यदा हि यामेषु शुभे कर्मणि स्वान् युञ्जते। ते क्रीळयः धुनयः भ्राजदृष्टयः स्वयमेव स्वमहत्त्वं पनयन्ति—धूतयः शीघ्रगामिनः।
Mantra 4
स हि स्वसृत्पृषदश्वो युवा गणोऽया ईशानस्तविषीभिरावृतः । असि सत्य ऋणयावानेद्योऽस्या धियः प्राविताथा वृषा गणः ॥
स हि स्वसृत् पृषदश्वो युवा गणः, स्वयमेव गच्छन् ईशानः तविषीभिरावृतः। स सत्यः ऋणयावान् अनिद्यः, अस्याः धियः प्राविता; अथ स गणो वृषा (वृषबलः) इव।
Mantra 5
पितुः प्रत्नस्य जन्मना वदामसि सोमस्य जिह्वा प्र जिगाति चक्षसा । यदीमिन्द्रं शम्यृक्वाण आशतादिन्नामानि यज्ञियानि दधिरे ॥
पितुः प्रत्नस्य जन्मना वदामसि; सोमस्य जिह्वा चक्षुषा (दर्शनशक्त्या) प्र जिगाति। यदा शम्यृक्वाणः शान्ते सदसि इन्द्रम् आशत, तदा हि यज्ञियानि नामानि दधिरे—आह्वेयाः देवतारूपाः।
Mantra 6
श्रियसे कं भानुभिः सं मिमिक्षिरे ते रश्मिभिस्त ऋक्वभिः सुखादयः । ते वाशीमन्त इष्मिणो अभीरवो विद्रे प्रियस्य मारुतस्य धाम्नः ॥
श्रेयसे ते भानुभिः सह संमिमिक्षिरे—ते रश्मयः, ते ऋक्वभिः सुखादयः। ते वाशीमन्तः, इष्मिणोऽभीरवः; विद्रे प्रियस्य मारुतस्य धाम्नः॥
Inside Sukta 87
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by depicting the Maruts in forward-driving force—unbending, unshaken—spreading radiance like dawn with its rays (1.87.1).
- Development
It develops the portrait of the Marut-host as youthful, lordly, power-encompassed, and ethically potent—true, blameless, and a protector of inspired vision (dhī) (notably 1.87.4).
- Climax
At the peak, their beams and chants blend for the growth of splendour, bringing ease and fearless impetus; the seer asserts their intimate knowledge of the Marut ‘home’ (dhāman) (1.87.6).
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves by stabilizing praise into assurance: the Maruts’ ordered power and protective presence can be relied upon to carry the worshipper’s inspiration safely to its goal.
The deity: Marutaḥ
- In the VedaA roaring, radiant troop (gaṇa) of storm-deities, swift and self-rushing, dappled-horsed, armed and straight-driving, who spread their lights like dawn-rays and move with chant and thunderous voice.
- Cosmic functionThey animate the atmosphere with wind, storm, and invigorating rains; they clear obstruction, drive forward the cosmic movement, and support Indra’s victory and the world’s order through dynamic force.
- Inner significanceThe Maruts symbolize the surge of prāṇa and will-force—courage, clarity, and disciplined energy that protects and carries the seeker’s dhī (inspired intelligence) through inner turbulence toward a stable ‘home’ of luminous power.
The seer
- Gautama RāhūgaṇaGautama gotra (Āṅgirasa line, traditionally) · A Gautama seer associated with early Marut hymns in Mandala 1, noted for vivid martial-radiant imagery and for linking the Maruts’ storm-force with protection of inspired vision (dhī).
Famous verses
usrā iva stṛbhiḥ
prāvitā dhiyaḥ
priyasya mārutasya dhāmnaḥ
Attributes of the deity
- youthful host (yuvā gaṇaḥ)
- self-rushing, swift motion (svasṛt)
- radiant like dawn (usrā iva)
- straight-driving, unbending (ṛjīṣiṇaḥ, anānatāḥ)
- fearless and impetuous (abhīravaḥ, iṣmiṇaḥ)
- truthful and blameless; protectors of dhī (satyaḥ, anedyaḥ, prāvitā dhiyaḥ)
- vibrant-voiced, chanting power (vāśīmantaḥ, ṛkvabhiḥ)
Also by this seer
- Rig Veda 1.84–1.88 (traditional cluster of Gautama/Rāhūgaṇa Marut/Indra-related hymns in some Anukramaṇī attributions)
- Marut-stuti style: hymns emphasizing gaṇa (host), radiance, straight-driving force, and safeguarding of prayer/insight (dhī)
The rite, step by step
- Establish the sacred fire (Agni) and seat the rite with preliminary invocations.
- Recite the sukta as a Marut-praise (stuti), visualizing the host as radiant, swift, and protective.
- Offer oblations while naming their key qualities (force, straight drive, fearlessness, truth).
- Petition them to guard the dhī (inspiration/prayer) and to remove obstacles to the sacrifice and its fruits.
- Conclude with a sealing praise that affirms their beloved dhāman (abode/plane) as known and accessible through right chant.
Offerings
- ghee (ājya)
- Soma libation (where applicable)
- havis offerings (cakes/grain)
- fragrant fuel/wood and clarified butter into Agni
Frequently Asked Questions
The Maruts are a radiant troop of storm-deities—swift, roaring, and powerful—praised here as fearless forces that drive forward and protect the worshipper.
It seeks their protection and support, especially for dhī—focused, inspired understanding and prayer—so the sacrifice and the seeker’s intention move forward without obstruction.
The storm-force becomes an inner symbol: energetic prāṇa and courageous will that clears confusion, strengthens clarity, and leads the mind toward a stable, luminous ‘home’ (dhāman).
Ask anything about Sukta 87 of the Rig Veda
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