Rig Veda Sukta 35
Mandala 4Sukta 359 Mantras

Sukta 35

Sukta 4.35

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for RV 4.35)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; needs metrical verification)

Dieser Hymnus lädt die Ṛbhus – göttliche Kunsthandwerker-Seher, berühmt für vollendetes Können – zur Soma-Pressung ein, damit sie zusammen mit Indra am Schatz der Opfergabe teilhaben. Er ruft ihre Wunderwerke in Erinnerung (die Erneuerung der Eltern, die Anfertigung des Trinkbechers der Götter und die Schaffung von Indras schnellen fahlen Rossen), um ihr Anrecht auf die dritte Pressung und deren rauschhafte Kraft zu begründen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.35

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • RibhusMantras 1-6, 8-9Ṛbhus (with Indra as associated power)

    The Ṛbhus are three (sometimes spoken of collectively) exalted craftsmen who attain divinity through flawless work (śacī, “effective skill”).

  • IndraMantra 7with Ṛbhus as companions

Mantras

Mantra 1

इहोप यात शवसो नपातः सौधन्वना ऋभवो माप भूत । अस्मिन्हि वः सवने रत्नधेयं गमन्त्विन्द्रमनु वो मदासः ॥

Kommt her, o Söhne der Kraft, o Saudhanvana-Ṛbhus; zieht euch nicht zurück. Denn in diesem Pressopfer (savana) ist euer Schatz, der niederzulegen ist; eure Wonne und Freude mögen Indra folgen, mit ihm sich bewegend im rechten Genuss.

Mantra 2

आगन्नृभूणामिह रत्नधेयमभूत्सोमस्य सुषुतस्य पीतिः । सुकृत्यया यत्स्वपस्यया चँ एकं विचक्र चमसं चतुर्धा ॥

Hier ist der Schatz gekommen, der für die Ṛbhus niederzulegen ist; da ist das Trinken des gut gepressten Soma. Denn durch rechtes Können und leuchtendes Werk machten sie einen Becher zu vieren — sie vervielfachten das eine Gefäß der Wonne zu vierfacher Fassung.

Mantra 3

व्यकृणोत चमसं चतुर्धा सखे वि शिक्षेत्यब्रवीत । अथैत वाजा अमृतस्य पन्थां गणं देवानामृभवः सुहस्ताः ॥

Vierfach formten sie den Becher; und einer sprach: „Freund, lerne die Kunst.“ Da fanden diese Vājas den Pfad zur Unsterblichkeit; die Ṛbhus, mit guten Händen, traten ein in die Schar der Götter.

Mantra 4

किम्मयः स्विच्चमस एष आस यं काव्येन चतुरो विचक्र । अथा सुनुध्वं सवनं मदाय पात ऋभवो मधुनः सोम्यस्य ॥

Aus welchem Stoff war dieser Becher, den ihr durch dichterisch‑inspirierte Kunst in vier Teile gestaltetet? Nun presst die Spende zur Wonne; trinkt, o Ṛbhus, den Honig des Soma, den somahaften, süßen.

Mantra 5

शच्याकर्त पितरा युवाना शच्याकर्त चमसं देवपानम् । शच्या हरी धनुतरावतष्टेन्द्रवाहावृभवो वाजरत्नाः ॥

Durch wirksame Kunst machtet ihr die beiden Eltern wieder jung; durch dieselbe Kunst machtet ihr den Becher zum Trank der Götter. Durch diese Kunst formtet ihr die zwei fahlen Rosse, pfeilschnell wie der Bogen, Indras Träger — o Ṛbhus, reich an Vāja und Kraftschätzen.

Mantra 6

यो वः सुनोत्यभिपित्वे अह्नां तीव्रं वाजासः सवनं मदाय । तस्मै रयिमृभवः सर्ववीरमा तक्षत वृषणो मन्दसानाः ॥

Wer für euch, o Vājas/Ṛbhus, im engen Gefüge der Tage die scharfe Pressung zum Rausch bereitet, — dem zimmert, o Ṛbhus, einen Reichtum voll aller Heldenkraft. Ihr Starken, in Freude, schnitzt und fügt diese Fülle in sein Wesen ein.

Mantra 7

प्रातः सुतमपिबो हर्यश्व माध्यंदिनं सवनं केवलं ते । समृभुभिः पिबस्व रत्नधेभिः सखीँर्याँ इन्द्र चकृषे सुकृत्या ॥

Am Morgen trankst du den gepressten Soma, o Indra mit fahlgelben Rossen; die Mittags-Pressung ist ganz die deine. Trinke zusammen mit den Ṛbhus, den Schatzträgern — jenen Freunden, die du, Indra, durch gutes, vollendetes Wirken geschaffen hast.

Mantra 8

ये देवासो अभवता सुकृत्या श्येना इवेदधि दिवि निषेद । ते रत्नं धात शवसो नपातः सौधन्वना अभवतामृतासः ॥

Ihr, die ihr durch rechtes Vollbringen zu Göttern wurdet — wie Falken nahmt ihr euren Sitz im Himmel. Darum setzt das Kleinod fest, o Söhne der Kraft, o Saudhanvanas; werdet uns die unsterblichen Mächte — indem ihr im Menschen den unsterblichen Gewinn begründet.

Mantra 9

यत्तृतीयं सवनं रत्नधेयमकृणुध्वं स्वपस्या सुहस्ताः । तदृभवः परिषिक्तं व एतत्सं मदेभिरिन्द्रियेभिः पिबध्वम् ॥

Als ihr die dritte Soma-Pressung, ein schatztragendes Ausgießen, bereitetet, o kunstfertige mit guten Händen und rechtem Wirken — dann, o Ṛbhus, trinkt von diesem, der euch ausgegossen ist, zusammen mit den Rauschen, die die indriya-Kräfte erwecken.

Inside Sukta 35

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct summons: the Ṛbhus, ‘offspring of force,’ are called to approach the pressing and not hold back; their ‘treasure’ is present in the Soma rite, moving in Indra’s wake.

  2. Development

    The hymn builds authority by recounting signature marvels accomplished through śacī (effective skill): rejuvenation, perfected vessels, and Indra’s swift bearers—linking artisan power to divine enjoyment of Soma.

  3. Climax

    The third pressing is named as a ratna-bearing outpouring fashioned for them; the poured Soma is explicitly offered for their drinking together with Indra-like exhilaration and awakened faculties (indriya).

  4. Where it settles

    The invitation culminates in participation: drink, rejoice, and thereby confirm the reciprocal bond—human offering and divine empowerment—so the sacrifice yields wealth, force, and right enjoyment.

The deity: Ṛbhus

  • In the VedaThey are praised for marvels such as renewing the Parents to youth, making the divine drinking-cup, and crafting Indra’s steeds—thereby earning a share in the Soma.
  • Cosmic functionThey represent the power that perfects forms: refining, renewing, and multiplying the capacities of the world and the sacrifice; they help “make fit” the vessels and forces through which the gods partake and act (especially in Indra’s Soma-driven might).
  • Inner significanceThe Ṛbhus symbolize disciplined craftsmanship of consciousness—skill that converts raw impulse into luminous capacity. Their ‘works’ mirror inner renewal (youthfulness of vital powers), the purified ‘cup’ of receptivity, and the harnessed energies (Indra’s horses) that carry will and insight swiftly toward the goal.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Aṅgirasa-associated seer-line in Book 4) · A major Ṛgvedic seer of Mandala 4, noted for powerful Indra-oriented inspiration and for hymns that link ritual efficacy with inner illumination (often later read through the lens of Vāmadeva’s visionary identity-teachings).

Famous verses

ratnadheyaṃ
Verse 4.35.1Sets the hymn’s ritual frame: an urgent invitation to the Ṛbhus to come to the Soma pressing, claim their ratna-dheya (treasure-share), and align their exhilaration with Indra’s movement.Read verse 4.35.1 →
śacyākarta
Verse 4.35.5A compact catalogue of Ṛbhu ‘miracles’ achieved by śacī—renewing the Parents, making the divine cup, and fashioning Indra’s tawny steeds—showing why they merit worship and Soma.Read verse 4.35.5 →
tṛtīyaṃ savanam
Verse 4.35.9Names the third pressing as their special portion and ties Soma-drinking to indriya-awakening, making the hymn’s spiritual-psychological subtext explicit.Read verse 4.35.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Divine artisans/craftsmen (śacī-kṛt)
  • Renewers and refiners (restoring youth, perfecting forms)
  • Allied with Soma and the third pressing
  • Closely linked with Indra’s empowerment (harī, indriya-strength)
  • Bearers of treasures and plenitude (vāja, ratna)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Ṛgveda Mandala 4 traditionally attributed to Vāmadeva Gautama
  • Indra hymns emphasizing victory, inspiration, and Soma (e.g., clusters within RV 4.16–4.33 in traditional attributions)
  • Hymns engaging the Ṛbhus and sacrificial craftsmanship themes within Book 4’s Aṅgirasa current

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the Soma pressing place and vessels; kindle and steady the ritual fires.
  • Press Soma and strain it; set out the cups (camasa) and portions for invited deities.
  • Invoke the Ṛbhus to ‘come here’ and not withdraw, affirming their right to the treasure in this savana.
  • Recite their deeds (renewing the Parents, making the cup, shaping Indra’s steeds) as a liturgical warrant for their participation.
  • Offer Soma portions to the Ṛbhus in association with Indra; request that their skill and Indra’s power increase the sacrificer’s strength and wealth.
  • Conclude with the invitation to drink what is poured out, joined with the exhilarations that awaken the indriya-powers.

Offerings

  • Soma (especially the third pressing)
  • Clarified butter (ghee) and customary oblations accompanying Soma rites
  • Praise/recitation (stotra/śastra-style laud) as the principal ‘offering’ of remembrance of their works

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ṛbhus are divine craftsmen who became godlike through perfect skill. The hymn praises their famous works and invites them to the Soma offering.

The Ṛbhus are closely linked with Indra because their craftsmanship supports his power—especially his Soma-driven strength and his two tawny steeds. So the hymn invites them to rejoice in the offering ‘following Indra.’

It is the third Soma pressing (tṛtīya savana), a later round of Soma preparation and offering. RV 4.35 treats it as a special, treasure-bearing portion prepared for the Ṛbhus to drink.

Ask anything about Sukta 35 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play