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

HYMN 64

Rishi : NODHASA Deity: MARUTS

1. O Nodhasa, offer attractive praise to the creatorhost of bounteous, adorable, Maruts. Steadfast, with folded hands, I utter with feeling the lauds that front (the Gods) in sacrifices like flowing waters.

2. They (Maruts) are born from the mid-region, lofty ones, pouring bounteous, progeny of Rudra, dispellers of the enemy, sinless, lustrous like the purifying rays of the sun, brave, like giants, diffusers (of powers), terrible in form.

3. Youthful, terrible, ageless, slayers of non-givers, irresistible, immovable as mountains, they are desirous of granting (the wishes of the worshipper); with their mighty strength they shake all existences whether of earth or heaven, though strong.

4. They display their forms with varied decorations of body. Placing glittering garlands on their breast for beauty, sharpened lances on their shoulders, these leaders manifest, by their own strength, from the midworld.

5. Enriching their worshipper, the shakers, devourers of foes, create the shining winds with their strength. Moving around, the shakers milk the heavenly udders and shake the earth with the sap.

The Maruts cause currents of life-force to flow; they draw out the powers of life from the mid-region and fill the earth with them.

6. Munificent Maruts around the places of sacrifice, fill them with currents of lustrous essence. As grooms lead the horse, the Maruts strain the strong Horse (LifeForce), roaring, unexhausted.

The context is of inner sacrifice in which the life-domain is the sacrificial hall. There do the Maruts cause to flow the waters of lustrous essence.

7. Great, wise, variously lustrous, self-strong like mountains, speedy of motion, enjoy ye the delights like elephants when ye put vigour into your ruddy mares.

Inner meaning: enjoy the delights of earth.

8. Exceedingly wise, the Maruts) roar like lions. Beauteous like the spotted deer, knowers of all, delighting the nights, with serpent’s fury, they come in companies with their antelopes and lances to the harassed sacrificers.

The inner sacrificants know well how there is reverberation like the lion’s roar as the Maruts approach. The enemies of the sacrifice gain strength during nights; then do the Maruts exult in their might.

9. Celebrated in companies, Maruts, befriending man, brave, furious serpentlike in might, ye reverberate in heaven and earth. O Maruts, your glory is stationed in the seat of the charioteer, shining like beautiful lightning.

10. All-knowing, dwelling in the home of wealth, combined in might, loud of voice, repeller of foes, of infinite prowess, swallowers of strength, leaders, the Maruts bear the shaft in their arms.

11. With golden wheels the Maruts drive forward the mountains as on the roadways. Augmenters of waters, they go to the sacrifice; self-moving, they overthrow the firm; with shining weapons they are unbearable.

12. We call with praise the progeny of Rudra, assailing the foe, purifying, happy, beholding clear. Resort for prosperity to the host of Maruts who quicken the lifeenergies, are mighty with foe-destroying strength.

13. O Maruts, that mortal, whom ye guard with your protection, quickly gains over all men by his might; with his horses he acquires strength, with his men, riches; he attains the honoured Knowledge-Will and prospers.

Horses: Life-Powers. Men: leading powers of himself.

14. O Maruts, establish in your opulent (worshippers) strength versatile, invincible in battles, illustrious, wealth-loving, praiseworthy, all-discerning. So may we foster son and progeny for a hundred winters.

15. O Maruts, grant us riches, durable, powerful, defying onslaught - a hundred, thousandfold, ever increasing. May he rich with thought come at dawn anon.