Translations of Rig Veda Suktas 33-121 by M.P. Pandit

HYMN 39

Rishi : KANVA Deity: MARUTS

1. O Maruts, shakers, when ye cast hither from beyond cherished thought like light, with whose wisdom do ye unite? With whose form? To whom do ye repair? Who m indeed!

By casting their own thought and becoming one in powers o wisdom and form, the Maruts enter and grace the chosen one.

The purport is: Impelled by whose sacrifice, attracted by whose form, do ye cast your intelligence? Of what nature could be his desert to whom goes your willed thought?

2. May your weapons be strong to drive away the foes; may they be firm to resist; may your strength be highly praiseworthy, not that of the deceitful mortal.

May the strength of the Maruts alone be glorious, not the strength of the mortal given to falsehood.

3. Heroes, when ye overthrow what is stable, move what is heavy, ye make your way through the trees of earth, through the defiles of the mountains.

The entry of the Maruts on the material earth becomes possible through the felicities of physical bodies. Thence do the Maruts enter the ascending planes of Matter, Life etc. on the many-plateaued mountains.

4. O consumers of your foes, there is no enemy of yours above the heavens nor on earth, O terrible ones, may the combined strength of your companions strike out for the destruction (of your foes).

5. They shake the mountains, drive apart the trees. O Gods, Maruts, along with all progeny, go mightily as though in intoxication.

6. Ye have harnessed the spotted deer to your cars. The red deer in the middle leads. Earth itself listens to your coming, men spread alarm.

The spotted deer are the vehicles of Maruts. Their triple hues indicate the physical, vital and mental. Red signifies the principle of life-force of action and enjoyment; it is the premier carrier of the Maruts.

7. O Rudras, we pray quick for your extension and increase in us). Even as of old ye came to us for our protection, do ye come to frightened Kanva.

8. O Maruts, should any one powerful, promoted by ye or by men, threaten us, do ye dispossess him of his fiery strength and life-force and likewise of -your protections.

9. O Maruts, wholly worshipful, wise, do ye uphold Kanva; come to us with full protection as lightnings do with rain.

10. Bounteous givers, O Maruts, yours is entire strength. O shakers, ye bear perfect might, cast ye, an enemy like an arrow, upon the wrathful hater of the Seers.