Sukta 33

Mantra 1

प्र ऋभुभ्यो दूतमिव वाचमिष्य उपस्तिरे श्वैतरीं धेनुमीळे । ये वातजूतास्तरणिभिरेवैः परि द्यां सद्यो अपसो बभूवुः ॥

Forward to the Rbhus I send my word like a messenger; I adore the bright-gleaming Cow of abundance that is spread out (for the seeker). They who are driven by the Wind-force, with swift coursers, at once became the workers who encompass the heaven—powers of effective action.

Mantra 2

यदारमक्रन्नृभवः पितृभ्यां परिविष्टी वेषणा दंसनाभिः । आदिद्देवानामुप सख्यमायन्धीरासः पुष्टिमवहन्मनायै ॥

When the Rbhus fashioned what was fitting for the two Parents, the enclosing seats and the adornment by their powers of skill—then they came near to the friendship of the gods. The seers of steady insight brought increase and nourishment for the mind’s delight.

Mantra 3

पुनर्ये चक्रुः पितरा युवाना सना यूपेव जरणा शयाना । ते वाजो विभ्वाँ ऋभुरिन्द्रवन्तो मधुप्सरसो नोऽवन्तु यज्ञम् ॥

They who made the two Parents young again, though lying aged like a worn post—may those Rbhus, Vāja, Vibhvā, and Ṛbhu, filled with Indra’s force and dripping sweetness, protect our sacrifice (our offering of conscious action).

Mantra 4

यत्संवत्समृभवो गामरक्षन्यत्संवत्समृभवो मा अपिंशन् । यत्संवत्समभरन्भासो अस्यास्ताभिः शमीभिरमृतत्वमाशुः ॥

Because for a full year the Rbhus guarded the Cow (the ray of knowledge), because for a year they shaped and perfected her, because for a year they bore her luminous splendors—by those works of right skill they attained immortality.

Mantra 5

ज्येष्ठ आह चमसा द्वा करेति कनीयान्त्रीन्कृणवामेत्याह । कनिष्ठ आह चतुरस्करेति त्वष्ट ऋभवस्तत्पनयद्वचो वः ॥

The eldest said, ‘Make two cups’; the younger said, ‘Let us make three’; the youngest said, ‘Make four.’ O Rbhus, Tvaṣṭṛ approved that utterance of yours—your formative word that multiplies the vessel of delight.

Mantra 6

सत्यमूचुर्नर एवा हि चक्रुरनु स्वधामृभवो जग्मुरेताम् । विभ्राजमानाँश्चमसाँ अहेवावेनत्त्वष्टा चतुरो ददृश्वान् ॥

The strong ones spoke the Truth; for indeed they did the work. Following their own law of being, the Rbhus came to this (fulfillment). Tvaṣṭṛ, seeing, recognized as if in a single day the four cups shining with radiance.

Mantra 7

द्वादश द्यून्यदगोह्यस्यातिथ्ये रणन्नृभवः ससन्तः । सुक्षेत्राकृण्वन्ननयन्त सिन्धून्धन्वातिष्ठन्नोषधीर्निम्नमापः ॥

For twelve days, in the hospitality of Agohya, the Rbhus rejoiced while pursuing their aim. They made the fields good; they led the rivers; they set the plants upon the dry land; they directed the waters to the low places—ordering the movements of life by right skill.

Mantra 8

रथं ये चक्रुः सुवृतं नरेष्ठां ये धेनुं विश्वजुवं विश्वरूपाम् । त आ तक्षन्त्वृभवो रयिं नः स्ववसः स्वपसः सुहस्ताः ॥

They who fashioned the well-built chariot, best for the human journey, and who fashioned the Cow that moves with all energies and bears all forms—may those Rbhus carve out for us the rayi, the fullness of being: rich in self-power, rich in right works, with hands of perfect skill.

Mantra 9

अपो ह्येषामजुषन्त देवा अभि क्रत्वा मनसा दीध्यानाः । वाजो देवानामभवत्सुकर्मेन्द्रस्य ऋभुक्षा वरुणस्य विभ्वा ॥

For the gods accepted their works, as they were thinking with will and mind set upon the goal. Vāja became the good-worker among the gods; Ṛbhukṣā for Indra, and Vibhvā for Varuṇa—each taking his place as a perfected power in the divine order.

Mantra 10

ये हरी मेधयोक्था मदन्त इन्द्राय चक्रुः सुयुजा ये अश्वा । ते रायस्पोषं द्रविणान्यस्मे धत्त ऋभवः क्षेमयन्तो न मित्रम् ॥

They who made for Indra the two tawny powers that rejoice in inspired understanding and hymn, and who made the horses perfectly yoked—O Rbhus, place in us increase of rayi and sustaining abundance, and the riches of being, fostering our peace like a friend.

Mantra 11

इदाह्नः पीतिमुत वो मदं धुर्न ऋते श्रान्तस्य सख्याय देवाः । ते नूनमस्मे ऋभवो वसूनि तृतीये अस्मिन्त्सवने दधात ॥

Now, in this day’s movement, the gods have poured for you the gladness of the Soma-drink and the uplifted delight; not without the friendship of the one who has laboured and grown weary in the seeking. Therefore, O Rbhus, place in us the true riches—here, in this third pressing, establish the plenitudes of being.