Sukta 176
Sukta 10.176
Sūkta to the R̥bhus (artisan divinities); exact r̥ṣi attribution varies by Anukramaṇī—confirm per edition.
R̥bhus (and their ‘sons’/powers).
Likely Triṣṭubh (verify per edition).
This brief hymn invokes the R̥bhus—divine artisan powers—and their “sons” as forces that expand and perfect the great work, drawing sustenance from Earth as a mother-cow. It then turns to the sacrificial agency itself: the god-seeking Hotṛ and Agni, who move like a well-guided chariot and are “made” in us for protection, widening life toward an immortal origin.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र सूनव ऋभूणां बृहन्नवन्त वृजना । क्षामा ये विश्वधायसोऽश्नन्धेनुं न मातरम् ॥
Forward, O sons of the R̥bhus: enlarge the vast work, O active ones. You who uphold all things, feed on the nourishing Earth as on a mother-cow—draw from her the sustaining plenty for the journey of becoming.
Mantra 2
प्र देवं देव्या धिया भरता जातवेदसम् । हव्या नो वक्षदानुषक् ॥
Bring forward the god with the divine thought—Jātavedas, who knows all births. May he bear our offerings and carry them in due succession, linking the human movement to the eternal fire of knowledge.
Mantra 3
अयमु ष्य प्र देवयुर्होता यज्ञाय नीयते । रथो न योरभीवृतो घृणीवाञ्चेतति त्मना ॥
This one indeed—the god-seeking Hotṛ—is led forward for the sacrifice. Like a chariot well-enclosed in its course, radiant with ardour, he moves by his own inner self-awareness, guiding the rite as a conscious power.
Mantra 4
अयमग्निरुरुष्यत्यमृतादिव जन्मनः । सहसश्चित्सहीयान्देवो जीवातवे कृतः ॥
This Agni widens and guards our being, as if born from immortality itself. Even stronger than force, the god is fashioned in us so that we may truly live (in the greater life).
Frequently Asked Questions
The R̥bhus are divine artisan powers associated with skill, renewal, and perfecting forms—especially the sacrificial work—so it becomes effective and world-sustaining.
The chariot image suggests disciplined direction and protected movement: the priestly power advances the rite steadily, “radiant with ardour,” guided by inner awareness rather than randomness.
It means the fire-principle is not only external flame; it is also an inner power of clarity and protection that widens life toward an immortal grounding (amṛta).