After establishing Indra’s singular importance, the sixth hymn of the Rigveda expands the divine guest list. This sukta, Rigveda 1.6, is a fascinating hymn that praises not only Indra but also his powerful, energetic companions: the Maruts, the gods of the storm. It is a song of collective power, acknowledging both the supreme leader and the strength of his divine host.
Introduction & Context
This hymn is a call to a divine army, a plea for the combined forces of the heavens to attend the sacrifice.
- Deities (Devatas): Indra and the Maruts (the Storm Gods).
- Rishi (Seer): Madhuchhandas Vaishvamitra.
- Meter (Chhandas): Gayatri.
- Significance: The Maruts are a group of powerful, youthful deities associated with wind, storms, and lightning. They are the sons of Rudra and act as Indra’s warrior companions (`gana`). This hymn is significant because it highlights the theme of teamwork and collective strength in the Vedic pantheon, showing that even the mighty Indra is more powerful with his loyal host.
The Hymn (Sūkta) Rigveda 1.6
Sanskrit (Devanagari)
युञ्जन्ति ब्रध्नमरुषं चरन्तं परि तस्थुषः । रोचन्ते रोचना दिवि ॥१॥
युञ्जन्त्यस्य काम्या हरी विपक्षसा रथे । शोणा धृष्णू नृवाहसा ॥२॥
केतुं कृण्वन्नकेतवे पेशो मर्या अपेशसे । समुषद्भिरजायथाः ॥३॥
आदह स्वधामनु पुनर्गर्भत्वमेरिरे । दधाना नाम यज्ञियम् ॥४॥
वीळु चिदारुजत्नुभिर्गुहा चिदिन्द्र वह्निभिः । अविन्द उस्रिया अनु ॥५॥
देवयन्तो यथा मतिमच्छा विदद्वसुं गिरः । महामनूषत श्रुतम् ॥६॥
इन्द्रेण सं हि दृक्षसे सञ्जग्मानो अबिभ्युषा । मन्दू समानवर्चसा ॥७॥
अनवद्यैरभिद्युभिर्मखः सहस्वदर्चति । गणैरिन्द्रस्य काम्यैः ॥८॥
अतः परिज्मन्ना गहि दिवो वा रोचनादधि । समस्मिन्नृञ्जते गिरः ॥९॥
इतो वा सातिमीमहे दिवो वा पार्थिवादधि । इन्द्रं महो वा रजसः ॥१०॥Transliteration
yuñjanti bradhnamaruṣaṁ carantaṁ pari tasthuṣaḥ | rocante rocanā divi ||1||
yuñjantyasya kāmyā harī vipakṣasā rathe | śoṇā dhṛṣṇū nṛvāhasā ||2||
ketuṁ kṛṇvannaketave peśo maryā apeśase | sam uṣadbhir ajāyathāḥ ||3||
ādaha svadhāmanu punargarbhatvam ā īrire | dadhānā nāma yajñiyam ||4||
vīḷu cidārujatnubhirguhā cidindra vahnibhiḥ | avinda usriyā anu ||5||
devayanto yathā matimacchā vidadvasuṁ giraḥ | mahāmanūṣata śrutam ||6||
indreṇa saṁ hi dṛkṣase saṁjagmāno abibhyuṣā | mandū samānavarcasā ||7||
anavadyairabhidyubhirmakhaḥ sahasvadarcati | gaṇairindrasya kāmyaiḥ ||8||
ataḥ parijmannā gahi divo vā rocanādadhi | samasminnṛñjate giraḥ ||9||
ito vā sātimīmahe divo vā pārthivādadhi | indraṁ maho vā rajasaḥ ||10||English Translation
1. They yoke the great, red, moving steed; the lights in heaven shine.
2. They yoke his two desirable bay horses to the chariot, spirited, bold, and carrying the hero.
3. O men, you have created a banner for the bannerless, a form for the formless, born together with the dawns.
4. Then, according to their nature, they took again the form of a germ, assuming a sacrificial name.
5. O Indra, with your strong and shattering carriers, you found the cows (rays of light) even in the cave.
6. Just as the devout gain insight, so our songs have found the wealthy and famous one.
7. You are seen together with the fearless Indra, rejoicing with him, of one accord.
8. The joyful sacrificer worships with the blameless, brilliant hosts, the beloved companies of Indra.
9. Therefore, O wanderer, come from heaven or from the realm of light. The songs are directed to you in this rite.
10. We ask for bounty from here, from heaven, or from above the earth—from Indra, or from the great celestial space.
Each Rigveda hymn whispers ancient truths, let’s listen closely with Vedic Stories…
The Rigveda 1.6 Hymn’s Meaning: A Thematic Breakdown
Verses 1-4 (Praise of the Maruts)
The hymn opens not with Indra, but with the actions of a “they”—the Maruts. They are described yoking the “great, red, moving steed,” which is likely a metaphor for the sun or lightning. The praise is somewhat cryptic but beautiful, stating that the Maruts create form for the formless and are born together with the dawns, highlighting their role as dynamic forces of creation and light.
Verses 5-8 (The Partnership of Indra and the Maruts)
This section explicitly brings Indra into the picture. It references his great heroic deed: finding the “cows” (a metaphor for the celestial waters or rays of dawn) that were hidden in a cave by the demon Vala. The hymn states that Indra accomplished this *with* his “shattering carriers”—the Maruts. The verses emphasize their unity, stating they are seen “saṁjagmāno” (together), are “abibhyuṣā” (fearless), and rejoice with one accord. The sacrificer is said to worship not just Indra, but also his “beloved companies” (`gaṇairindrasya kāmyaiḥ`).
Verses 9-10 (A Call to the Divine)
The hymn concludes with a direct invitation. It calls upon the “parijman” (wanderer, a title for Indra or the Sun) to come from the heavens or the realms of light. The final verse is a broad plea for “sāti” (bounty or treasure) from all realms—from earth, from heaven, and from the great cosmic space, with Indra being the primary source of this bounty.
Summary & Significance
Rigveda 1.6 is a beautiful hymn that celebrates the power of divine teamwork. While Indra is the supreme hero, this sukta makes it clear that his greatest deeds are often performed with the help of his powerful and loyal companions, the Maruts. It paints a picture of a divine king who is also a leader of a formidable host, and it reminds the worshipper to honor not just the leader, but the entire collective force.
This hymn praises both a great leader and his powerful team. In our own lives, how does acknowledging the collective effort of a group, rather than just praising the individual at the top, lead to greater success and morale for everyone involved?
Read Next: Rigveda 1.7: A Hymn to Indra and the Maruts
