In the ancient dawn, the Maruts—divine sons of Rudra and Prisni—are called forth in splendor. Their chariots are made ready: red steeds are yoked, tawny horses harnessed, swift bays prepared, each chosen for their excellence in drawing the celestial vehicles. Among them stands a vigorous, red, roaring one, radiant and magnificent. The Maruts are urged not to linger, but to move swiftly, their steeds surging forward with power. The Marut chariot, renowned across the worlds for its glory, is invoked. Upon it, heaven and earth themselves, bearing treasures, unite with the Maruts. Their host, adorned and mighty, worthy of praise, is summoned. In this company, the well-born and fortunate one is exalted, magnified together with the bountiful Maruts. O Rudras, endowed with Indra’s strength, united and riding golden chariots, are invited for the well-being of all. The prayer rises to them, sincere and urgent, just as thirst rises from the waters to the sky. Possessing voices of thunder, spears, wisdom, fine bows, arrows, and quivers, the Maruts are noble, splendid, born of Prisni; their own weapons gleam, and they are asked to bring auspiciousness. When the Maruts approach, they shake the sky and mountains; forests tremble in fear. The earth stirs beneath their power, for the children of Prisni are fierce and splendid, their spotted mares yoked and ready. Swift as the wind, pouring rain, the Maruts surge forth like beautiful, splendid horses—tawny and red, shining with bright bodies. Their greatness resounds like the sky itself. Rich in gifts, adorned, generous, and splendid in appearance, the Maruts are free from darkness. Well-born, with golden breasts, they have attained an immortal name in heaven through their radiance. Their spears rest upon their shoulders, strength and power established in their arms. Heroism crowns their heads, weapons fill their chariots, and glory is woven into their very bodies. The Maruts are beseeched to grant wealth: cattle, horses, chariots, noble sons, and radiant prosperity. May their divine favor, and the praise of the Rudrian ones, be bestowed upon those who worship. O Maruts, abundant in gifts, immortal, knowers of truth, wise and youthful, mighty as great mountains—may you sustain and be gracious to us. The most powerful among them is praised: the Marut host, ever new and ever mighty. They bear swift horses, shining with strength, sovereigns of immortality. Fierce and strong, with jaws like blades, steadfast in purpose, skilled in magic, and generous, the Maruts are boundless in greatness. Their swift chariots are called to bring rain; the fire is kindled for them, and they are invited to accept the offering. The Maruts make kings renowned among people, generating them for the sacrifice. From them comes the fist-wielder, strong-armed; from them, the noble horse. Like wanderers, they move unrestrained, ever born anew, mighty in deeds. Sons of Prisni, most excellent, unite with their own wisdom. When the Maruts advance with their spotted horses and golden chariots, they churn the waters, break the forests, the bull roars, and the sky thunders. Their movement is so vast that the earth yields, like a mother bearing her child. Wind-horses are yoked to their chariot; the Rudrian ones bring rain and sweat. Again, the Maruts are invoked: abundant in gifts, immortal, knowers of truth, true to hearing, wise, youthful, mighty as great mountains, greatly sustaining. The praise is sent forth for well-being, offered to heaven and earth. The Maruts pour out, their horses are red, filling the expanse and spreading radiance in waves. Through their might, the earth trembles in fear, like a boat overflowing and shaken. Far-seeing, the Maruts mark these signs; in the great assembly, men strive alongside them. Like the finest horn for the glory of cows, like the sun’s eye in the sky, the Maruts shine forth. Like swift, beautiful horses, they stand for glory and are perceived by all. Who among the Maruts possesses the greatest power, the most wondrous manliness? It is they who set the earth trembling like a blade of grass, moving forth to bestow good fortune. Like reddish horses with companions, like warriors eager for battle, the Maruts join together in combat. Like vigorous youths, they grow strong, and with their rains obscure the sun. There are neither eldest nor youngest among them; ever springing forth, none stands in the middle. By their greatness, they have grown vast. Well-born, children of Prisni, sons of heaven, they are called to come. Like flocks of birds, they soar in ranks with power, beyond the peaks of the sky; their horses know their ways, and they shake the summits of mountain and sky. May the sky and Aditi grant protection; may the Dawns strive together. The Maruts, singers of Rudra, have opened the celestial vessel. Agni is praised, gracious and discerning, like chariots eager for battle; the hymn of the Maruts is strengthened, moving in a circle. Where the Rudras and Maruts stand in their adorned chariots, even forests are terrified by their might. The earth and mountain tremble. The great mountain and the summit of heaven are afraid at their sound; when the Maruts play with their spears, they rush together like waters in unison. Splendid, adorned with gold, they cover their bodies with power; for glory, strong in their chariots, they accomplish great deeds. They are brothers, neither eldest nor youngest, grown together for good fortune. Their youthful father, wise Rudra, and nourishing mother Prisni, grant fair days to the Maruts. Whatever is highest, in the middle, or lowest, belongs to the Maruts in heaven; from Rudras or Agni, may knowledge be gained from the offering. When Agni and the Maruts bring gifts from the highest heaven with their chariots, may they grant wealth to the worshipper who pours the libation. Agni, together with the Maruts, shining and chanting, drinks the Soma, delighted, with splendid hosts. With pure, all-pervading, immortal flames, Agni comes with the heavenly sign. Who among the Maruts are the most excellent, arriving from the farthest distance? Where are their horses, their reins? How did they manage, and how did they come? Who sits behind as companion? At their backs is the goad, their thighs spread apart, like fathers for the sake of sons. Go forth, O heroes, O youthful ones of noble birth; as you are kindled by Agni, so may you be. Thus, the Maruts, sons of Rudra and Prisni, radiant, mighty, and ever youthful, are celebrated and invoked, their glory resounding across heaven and earth.