Rig Veda Sukta 87
Mandala 1Sukta 876 Mantras

Sukta 87

Sukta 1.87

Rishi

Gautama Rāhūgaṇa (traditional for RV 1.87)

Devata

Marutaḥ

Chandas

Jagatī (probable; RV 1.87 shows Jagatī/Triṣṭubh mixture, opening often Jagatī-like length)

Pinupuri ng RV 1.87 ang mga Marut bilang isang hindi mapaglabanang kabataang pangkat, tuwid sa pagpapatakbo, hindi napipigilan, nagniningning tulad ng bukang-liwayway, na ang kilos at awit ay nagpapalawak ng karangalan at pagiging matapang. Hinahanap ng himno ang kanilang proteksyon para sa inspiradong pag-iisip (dhī), at ipinagdiriwang ang kanilang katotohanan, kawalang-takot, at panloob na "tahanan" (dhāman) bilang kapangyarihang nagpapatibay at nagtataas sa sumasamba.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.87

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्रत्वक्षसः प्रतवसो विरप्शिनोऽनानता अविथुरा ऋजीषिणः । जुष्टतमासो नृतमासो अञ्जिभिर्व्यानज्रे के चिदुस्रा इव स्तृभिः ॥

Nagpapakilala sa lakas, nagpapakilala sa kapangyarihan, malawak ang gawa at hindi nanunukal, hindi nayanig, tuwid ang pagtutulak - pinakalugod na tinatanggap, pinakalalaki - ang ilan sa inyo ay lumaganap ng inyong mga sinag tulad ng maliwanag na bukang-liwayway ng kanilang mga sinag.

Mantra 2

उपह्वरेषु यदचिध्वं ययिं वय इव मरुतः केन चित्पथा । श्चोतन्ति कोशा उप वो रथेष्वा घृतमुक्षता मधुवर्णमर्चते ॥

Kapag sa mga luklukan ninyo ay inyong pumupukaw ang inyong gumagalaw na lakas, O mga Marut, tulad ng mga ibon sa ilang landas, ang mga sisidlan sa inyong mga karo ay tumutulo; inyong ibinubuhos ang mantikilya, kulay-pukyutan, at ang awit ay umaakyat sa kasiyahan.

Mantra 3

प्रैषामज्मेषु विथुरेव रेजते भूमिर्यामेषु यद्ध युञ्जते शुभे । ते क्रीळयो धुनयो भ्राजदृष्टयः स्वयं महित्वं पनयन्त धूतयः ॥

Sa kanilang mga pagdaluhong ang lupa ay nanginginig tulad ng isang inianinig, kapag sa kanilang mga landas sila ay nagkakasama para sa marangal na gawa. Ang mga mapaglaro, dumadagundong na may kisap ng mga sibat ay ipinapalpak ang kanilang kadakilaan sa kanilang sariling kapangyarihan, ang mga mapusok na gumagalaw.

Mantra 4

स हि स्वसृत्पृषदश्वो युवा गणोऽया ईशानस्तविषीभिरावृतः । असि सत्य ऋणयावानेद्योऽस्या धियः प्राविताथा वृषा गणः ॥

Sapagkat siya ay sariling gumagalaw, may batik-batik na kabayo, isang kabataang tropa; gumagalaw sa kanyang sariling paraan, panginoon, napapaligiran ng mga kapangyarihan. Siya ay totoo, nagbabayad ng utang, walang sisi - tagaproteksyon ng bisyong ito; kung gayon ang lakas ng toro ay yaong tropa.

Mantra 5

पितुः प्रत्नस्य जन्मना वदामसि सोमस्य जिह्वा प्र जिगाति चक्षसा । यदीमिन्द्रं शम्यृक्वाण आशतादिन्नामानि यज्ञियानि दधिरे ॥

Nagsasalita kami sa kapanganakan ng Sinaunang Ama: ang dila ni Soma ay gumagalaw pasulong sa kapangyarihan ng pananaw. Kapag ang mga kumakanta ay nakarating kay Indra sa katahimikan, kung gayon sila ay nagtatag ng mga Sagradong Pangalan na angkop para sa sakripisyo - mga anyo ng Diyos na tatawagin.

Mantra 6

श्रियसे कं भानुभिः सं मिमिक्षिरे ते रश्मिभिस्त ऋक्वभिः सुखादयः । ते वाशीमन्त इष्मिणो अभीरवो विद्रे प्रियस्य मारुतस्य धाम्नः ॥

Para sa paglaki ng karangalan, pinagsama-sama nila ang kanilang mga sinag, ang mga rayong iyon, ang mga kapangyarihang umaawit na nagdudulot ng maligayang kaginhawaan. Sila ay puno ng buhay na tinig, mabilis at walang takot, na lubos na nakikilala ang minamahal na tahanan ng puwersang Marut sa ating loob.

Inside Sukta 87

How it unfolds

  1. 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).

  2. 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).

  3. 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).

  4. 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
Verse 1.87.1Sets the hymn’s signature imagery: the Maruts as straight-driving, unbending powers whose radiance spreads like dawn—establishing both their martial energy and luminous beneficence.Read verse 1.87.1 →
prāvitā dhiyaḥ
Verse 1.87.4Defines the Marut-host as a unified, youthful, lordly power that is ‘true’ and ‘blameless’ and explicitly a protector of dhī—linking storm-force with moral and spiritual guardianship.Read verse 1.87.4 →
priyasya mārutasya dhāmnaḥ
Verse 1.87.6Concludes with an inner turn: their beams and chants increase splendour, and they ‘know’ the beloved Marut dhāman—suggesting an experiential, inwardly accessible plane of power.Read verse 1.87.6 →

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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