Rig Veda 1.172 - Maruts
- Primary deity
- Maruts
- Rishi family
- a diverse line of seers including Madhuchchhandas, Medhatithi, Shunahshepa and Hiranyastupa
- Verses
- 3
- Location
- Mandala 1, Sukta 172
This Sukta is the 172nd hymn of Mandala 1, a book of 191 hymns known as The Opening Mandala. Its 3 verses are addressed chiefly to Maruts, and are given here in Devanagari, IAST transliteration and Griffith’s English rendering. By tradition the hymns of this Mandala belong to a diverse line of seers including Madhuchchhandas, Medhatithi, Shunahshepa and Hiranyastupa.
The text is preserved here in three registers: the Devanagari Sanskrit of the Samhita, a scholarly IAST romanisation, and Ralph T. H. Griffith's 1896 English translation. Where our editors have published a verse-by-verse commentary it appears beneath the relevant Rik below, adding philological and contextual reading beyond the base translation.
Themes, deities & connections
Drawn from our knowledge graph of the Rig Veda: the figures and ideas this Sukta invokes, and the hymns most closely woven to it.
Verses
Commentary
Certainly! Let’s explore Rig Veda Book 1, Hymn 172, Verse 2 together:
Sanskrit (Devanagari):
आरे सा वः सुदानवो मरुत रञ्जती शरुः |
आरे अश्मा यमस्यथ
Romanized:
āre sā vaḥ sudānavo maruta ṛñjatī śaruḥ |
āre aśmā yamasyatha
Griffith Translation:
Far be from us, O Maruts, ye free givers, your impetuous shaft;
Far from us be the stone ye hurl.
1. Essential Meaning
The verse is a prayer to the Maruts, who are storm deities in the Rig Veda. The poet is respectfully asking them to keep their fierce weapons—both their arrows (shafts) and stones—away from him and his community. Essentially, it’s a plea for protection from the destructive forces of nature.
2. Deeper Wisdom and Teaching
On a deeper level, this verse acknowledges the dual nature of divine power. The Maruts are praised as “sudānavo”—generous givers—but their strength can also be overwhelming or destructive. The hymn teaches humility before the forces we cannot control, and invites us to seek the blessings of those powers rather than their wrath.
It reminds us that even beneficent energies can become harmful if not approached with respect and reverence. This is true for both natural forces (like storms) and human relationships or technologies in the modern age.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
- Maruts: Symbolize the wild, energetic, and sometimes violent aspects of nature—especially storms, thunder, and wind. They are also associated with vitality and transformation.
- Shaft and Stone: Metaphors for the sudden, sometimes unpredictable impacts of powerful forces—literal in terms of storms, but also symbolic of any sudden adversity or challenge.
- Sudānavo (Generous Givers): The Maruts are not just fearsome; they are capable of bestowing gifts and blessings. This duality is important.
4. Connection to Universal Human Experience & Modern Life
In our lives, we all encounter powerful forces—whether literal storms, societal upheavals, or inner emotional tempests. The hymn’s plea is timeless: May the destructive power be kept at bay; may we receive only the nurturing, life-affirming aspects.
For a modern seeker, this can mean: - Asking for protection from harm while remaining open to growth and positive change. - Recognizing that all power—natural, technological, emotional—has both constructive and destructive potential. - Cultivating humility and respect for forces beyond our control, and seeking harmony rather than confrontation.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
In Vedic times, communities were directly affected by the weather and natural phenomena. The Maruts were invoked for both their ability to bring rain (life-giving) and their capacity for destruction (storms, lightning). This verse reflects a deep understanding of nature’s unpredictability, and a desire to live in balance with it.
6. Accessible, Inspiring Reflection
This ancient prayer can inspire us today to: - Seek safety and well-being for ourselves and others. - Approach powerful forces with awe and respect, not arrogance. - Remember that every source of energy or change can nourish or harm, depending on how we relate to it.
In essence:
“O mighty forces of transformation, O generous givers, let your power bless us, not harm us. Let your energy nurture, not destroy.”
This is a timeless lesson in humility, wisdom, and the art of living in harmony with the world—both seen and unseen.
Personal Reflection:
How do you relate to the powerful forces in your own life? Do you approach them with respect and seek their blessings, or do you challenge them heedlessly? This verse invites you to cultivate humility, reverence, and a prayerful attitude toward all that is greater than yourself.
Commentary
Certainly! Let’s explore Rig Veda 1.172.3 in depth, drawing out its timeless essence for today’s reader.
Sanskrit Verse:
तर्णस्कन्दस्य नु विशः परि वर्ङकत सुदानवः |
ऊर्ध्वान नः कर्त जीवसे
Romanized:
tṛṇaskandasya nu viśaḥ pari vṛṅkta sudānavaḥ |
ūrdhvān naḥ karta jīvase
Griffith Translation:
O Bounteous Givers, touch ye not, O Maruts, Tṛṇskanda’s folk; Lift ye us up that we may live.
1. Essential Meaning in Simple Language
The poet-priest is praying to the Maruts (storm gods), asking them not to harm the people of Tṛṇaskanda. Instead, he requests that the Maruts raise him and his community upward—give them life, protection, and vitality.
In essence:
“O generous Maruts, please spare Tṛṇskanda’s people from harm. Lift us up so that we may thrive and live.”
2. Deeper Philosophical or Spiritual Significance
This verse embodies the ancient human yearning for divine protection and benevolence. The act of asking the gods to “lift us up” reflects a universal desire to rise above adversity, to be supported in life, and to flourish under the watchful care of higher powers.
Spiritually, it teaches humility and the recognition of forces greater than ourselves, inviting us to seek help not just for personal gain but for the wellbeing of the whole community. It also shows the power of prayer as a tool for invoking blessings and positive transformation.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
- Maruts: Vedic storm deities, representing dynamic cosmic forces—energy, change, and sometimes destruction, but also renewal and vitality.
- Tṛṇskanda: Likely a chieftain or tribe, symbolizing a particular community.
- Lift us up: A metaphor for protection, elevation, and empowerment, both physically and spiritually.
These metaphors remind us that divine energies can be both fierce and nurturing, and that invoking them wisely brings growth and survival.
4. Universal Human Experience & Modern Connection
This prayer is timeless. Even today, we seek support—whether from loved ones, community, or spiritual sources—when facing uncertainty or danger. The desire to be “lifted up” transcends cultures and eras, reflecting our shared need for reassurance, strength, and hope.
Modern seekers can see this as a call to connect with positive forces—be they divine, natural, or internal—and to ask for help not just for oneself, but for one’s whole group, society, or world.
5. Cultural and Historical Context
In the Vedic age, nature’s power was both feared and revered. Storms could destroy, but also bring rain and renewal. The Maruts, as storm deities, were invoked for their capacity to both shake and support life. Communities depended on divine favor for survival, and prayers like this were acts of communal protection.
6. Resonant, Accessible Insight
This verse is a heartfelt plea: “May the forces that shape our world be gentle with us. May they not bring harm, but instead raise us up to live fully and well.”
For a modern reader, it inspires reflection:
- Whom do I turn to for support in times of uncertainty?
- How can I seek elevation—not just for myself, but for my community?
- How do I relate to the powerful forces (natural, social, spiritual) that shape my life?
Ultimately, the verse teaches us to honor the forces that sustain us, to seek their benevolence, and to ask—not just for survival, but for thriving life. It reminds us of the sacred partnership between humanity and the greater powers of existence.
Summary:
This ancient prayer is as relevant as ever—a call for protection, upliftment, and communal wellbeing. It invites us to recognize the awe-inspiring forces in our lives, seek their kindness, and aspire to rise together, full of life and gratitude.
Commentary
Certainly! Let’s explore Rig Veda Book 1, Hymn 172, Verse 1:
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
चित्रो वो.अस्तु यामश्चित्र ऊती सुदानवः | मरुतो अहिभानवः
Romanized
citro vo.astu yāmaścitra ūtī sudānavaḥ | maruto ahibhānavaḥ
1. Essential Meaning in Simple, Contemporary Language
“May your approach be wondrous, may your protection be wondrous, O generous ones—the Maruts, who shine forth and dispel darkness.”
The verse is a prayer to the Maruts, a group of storm deities, asking for their remarkable presence and powerful help. It recognizes their generosity and their ability to bring light, strength, and clarity.
2. Deeper Philosophical or Spiritual Significance
At its heart, this verse is about seeking divine intervention that is both awe-inspiring and protective. The poet calls upon the Maruts, not just for physical protection, but for the profound, transformative energy they represent—dynamic, radiant, and full of life.
This verse teaches us that we can invite energies into our lives that are vibrant, protective, and capable of illuminating our path—both outwardly and inwardly.
3. Key Deities, Concepts, and Metaphors
4. Connection to Universal Human Experiences and Modern Life
In today’s world, we often face periods of confusion, stagnation, or adversity—times when we need both inspiration and support. This verse reminds us to:
5. Cultural and Historical Context
The Maruts were worshipped for their role in bringing rains and storms, essential for agrarian societies. Their fierce yet life-giving energy was seen as a metaphor for overcoming difficulties and initiating renewal. In Vedic rituals, invoking the Maruts was a way to call forth dynamic forces that could sweep away challenges and invigorate life.
6. Inspiring Reflection
This verse invites us to recognize and welcome the “wondrous” forces—both divine and human—that can uplift, protect, and illuminate our journey. It reminds us that generosity, unity, and the courage to face darkness are timeless virtues.
Reflection for the modern seeker:
“When you call upon the vibrant, generous forces of life—within yourself, your community, or the cosmos—you invite transformation. Let your prayers and intentions be wondrous; let your actions dispel darkness and bring light to those around you.”
In essence:
The Rig Veda’s ancient wisdom is a call to embrace the awe-inspiring powers of nature and spirit, to seek help and protection, and to become radiant sources of generosity and light in the world.