Sukta 111
Sukta 1.111
Hymn to the Ribhus; seer attribution varies in tradition, but the hymn is within Ribhu cycle.
Ribhus (Ṛbhavaḥ).
Trishtubh (common for this hymn).
This short Triṣṭubh hymn praises the Ṛbhus as divine artisan-powers who “fashion” perfected forms—Indra’s chariot and horses, renewed youth, and a restored harmony of life. It turns their mythic craftsmanship into a prayer: may they shape for the worshipper sāti (winning attainment), victory in conflict, and steady protection, affirmed by wider cosmic guardians like Mitra–Varuṇa, Aditi, Earth, and Heaven.
Mantras
Mantra 1
तक्षन्रथं सुवृतं विद्मनापसस्तक्षन्हरी इन्द्रवाहा वृषण्वसू । तक्षन्पितृभ्यामृभवो युवद्वयस्तक्षन्वत्साय मातरं सचाभुवम् ॥
They fashioned the well-ordered chariot by knowledge in action; they fashioned the two bays, Indra’s bearers, rich in force. The Ribhus fashioned youth for the two parents; they fashioned the Mother to be united with the calf.
Mantra 2
आ नो यज्ञाय तक्षत ऋभुमद्वयः क्रत्वे दक्षाय सुप्रजावतीमिषम् । यथा क्षयाम सर्ववीरया विशा तन्नः शर्धाय धासथा स्विन्द्रियम् ॥
Fashion for us, O Ribhu-ones, for the sacrifice, the vital power that serves will and skill—an impulse rich in right offspring. So that we may dwell with an all-heroic people, place in our host a strong lordly power.
Mantra 3
आ तक्षत सातिमस्मभ्यमृभवः सातिं रथाय सातिमर्वते नरः । सातिं नो जैत्रीं सं महेत विश्वहा जामिमजामिं पृतनासु सक्षणिम् ॥
O Ṛbhus, fashion for us the winning attainment—an attainment for the chariot of our effort, an attainment for the steed of our life-force, O strong ones. May the conquering attainment grow together for us always, able in the battles, overcoming even what is near and habitual and what is alien and resistant.
Mantra 4
ऋभुक्षणमिन्द्रमा हुव ऊतय ऋभून्वाजान्मरुतः सोमपीतये । उभा मित्रावरुणा नूनमश्विना ते नो हिन्वन्तु सातये धिये जिषे ॥
I call Indra, the lord of Ṛbhus, for help; I call the Ṛbhus, the Vājas, the Maruts for the drinking of Soma. And now may both Mitra and Varuṇa, and the Aśvins too, impel us toward the attainment—toward the victorious thought that conquers.
Mantra 5
ऋभुर्भराय सं शिशातु सातिं समर्यजिद्वाजो अस्माँ अविष्टु । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥
May Ṛbhu sharpen and set in order our attaining for the bearing-forward; may Vāja, conqueror in the clash, protect us. And may Mitra and Varuṇa enlarge that for us; and Aditi, and Sindhu, and Earth, and Heaven.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ṛbhus are a triad of divine artisan-powers (Ṛbhu, Vāja, Vibhvan) praised for perfecting and renewing things through skill. In RV 1.111, their craftsmanship becomes a source of victory and success for the worshipper.
Sāti means “winning attainment” or successful achievement—victory that comes from effective effort. The hymn asks the Ṛbhus to fashion this sāti for one’s work, strength, and struggles.
The closing verse broadens the blessing: the success granted by the Ṛbhus is confirmed and enlarged by major cosmic guardians and supports. It signals that true attainment is secured within ṛta (cosmic order) and the whole world-framework.