Rig Veda Sukta 37
Mandala 4Sukta 378 Mantras

Sukta 37

Sukta 4.37

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional attribution for Maṇḍala 4; hymn to the Rbhus/associated powers)

Devata

Rbhus (esp. Vāja, Ṛbhukṣaṇa) as divine artisans; invoked also as devāḥ (luminous powers)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 4.37; 11-syllable cadence typical of the hymn)

This hymn invites the Rbhus—Vāja and Ṛbhukṣaṇa foremost—divine craftsmen who renew and perfect the rite, to come by the “godward paths” and re-establish the sacrifice among human clans. It asks them to bring rayi (plenitude, wealth, spiritual abundance) and victorious vāja (winning force), linking their aid with Indra’s might and the Aśvins’ swift help. The overall purpose is ritual renewal: to make the yajña run smoothly, delightfully, and fruitfully through auspicious days.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.37

Mantras

Mantra 1

उप नो वाजा अध्वरमृभुक्षा देवा यात पथिभिर्देवयानैः । यथा यज्ञं मनुषो विक्ष्वासु दधिध्वे रण्वाः सुदिनेष्वह्नाम् ॥

Come near to our offering, O Vājas, O Ṛbhukṣaṇas, O bright Powers; travel by the godward paths. As you have set the sacrifice in motion among the human clans, so establish it again—delightful—for us in the fair days of our life.

Mantra 2

ते वो हृदे मनसे सन्तु यज्ञा जुष्टासो अद्य घृतनिर्णिजो गुः । प्र वः सुतासो हरयन्त पूर्णाः क्रत्वे दक्षाय हर्षयन्त पीताः ॥

May the offerings be in your heart and mind—welcome today, shining with the clarity of the anointed Light. Let the pressed Soma-currents, full and overflowing, stream forth for your will and your discerning power; drunk, they make the inner energies rejoice.

Mantra 3

त्र्युदायं देवहितं यथा वः स्तोमो वाजा ऋभुक्षणो ददे वः । जुह्वे मनुष्वदुपरासु विक्षु युष्मे सचा बृहद्दिवेषु सोमम् ॥

As of old, the thrice-uplifted praise—set in the gods—has been given to you, O Vājas, O Ṛbhukṣaṇas. I pour out Soma in the human way, in the higher settlements of the clans, together with you in the vast days of the Greater Heaven.

Mantra 4

पीवोअश्वाः शुचद्रथा हि भूतायःशिप्रा वाजिनः सुनिष्काः । इन्द्रस्य सूनो शवसो नपातोऽनु वश्चेत्यग्रियं मदाय ॥

Rich-horsed, bright-charioted you have become—iron-jawed, forceful, bearing the fair prize. O sons of Indra’s might, descendants of Power, may the foremost rapture move in your wake for the ecstasy of the work.

Mantra 5

ऋभुमृभुक्षणो रयिं वाजे वाजिन्तमं युजम् । इन्द्रस्वन्तं हवामहे सदासातममश्विनम् ॥

We call the Rbhu, the Ṛbhukṣaṇa—bringing the spiritual plenitude (rayi) in the winning force (vāja), the most victorious yoke-fellow. Indra-filled, ever-conquering, he is the Aśvin-like helper we invoke.

Mantra 6

सेदृभवो यमवथ यूयमिन्द्रश्च मर्त्यम् । स धीभिरस्तु सनिता मेधसाता सो अर्वता ॥

He whom you, O Rbhus, and Indra too, protect among mortals—let him become by his illumined thoughts a winner, a conqueror of the light of understanding; let him be one who attains with the steed of energy.

Mantra 7

वि नो वाजा ऋभुक्षणः पथश्चितन यष्टवे । अस्मभ्यं सूरयः स्तुता विश्वा आशास्तरीषणि ॥

Open out for us, O Vājas, O Ṛbhukṣaṇa, the paths for our offering. O seer-powers, praised by us, carry us across all the directions of hope and possibility.

Mantra 8

तं नो वाजा ऋभुक्षण इन्द्र नासत्या रयिम् । समश्वं चर्षणिभ्य आ पुरु शस्त मघत्तये ॥

That plenitude (rayi) for us, O Vājas, O Ṛbhukṣaṇa—O Indra, O Nāsatyas—bring together with the steed of energy for the peoples. Praise it widely, so that the power of generous giving may grow.

Inside Sukta 37

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct summons: the Rbhus are asked to come near the adhvara (offering/rite) by the godward paths and reawaken the sacrifice for the worshippers.

  2. Development

    The hymn develops their identity as bestowers of rayi and vāja and as powerful helpers, with resonances of Indra’s force and Aśvin-like swiftness.

  3. Climax

    The central ask intensifies: may the Rbhus bring together plenitude and the ‘steed’ of energy for the peoples—prosperity that is active, victorious, and widely shared.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends in expansive praise and a settling request that generosity and increase (maghattva) grow—i.e., that the renewed sacrifice yields sustained auspiciousness.

The deity: Rbhus

  • In the VedaThe Rbhus are exalted as divine artisans and renovators who, through skill (ṛbhu—“craft, ingenious work”), perfect forms, restore what is worn, and make the sacrifice effective and beautiful. They are invoked as bright powers who travel on devayāna paths and cooperate with Indra and the Aśvins in granting aid and prosperity.
  • Cosmic functionThey represent the cosmic principle of transformation-by-skill: renewing creation, sharpening potency, and ensuring that ritual order (yajña) becomes a working channel between human and divine realms.
  • Inner significancePsychologically, the Rbhus symbolize the disciplined intelligence that refines life—turning raw impulse into effective action, and ordinary effort into luminous excellence. Spiritually, they signify the capacity to ‘re-make’ the inner sacrifice: renewing faith, clarity, and the harmonized powers of the being.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama (Vāmadeva of the Gautama gotra; traditional seer of much of Maṇḍala 4) · A major Rigvedic seer celebrated for visionary hymns that combine ritual precision with inner illumination, especially in Maṇḍala 4.

Famous verses

pathibhir devayānaiḥ
Verse 4.37.1Sets the hymn’s ritual core: inviting the Rbhus on devayāna paths and asking them to re-establish the sacrifice among the human clans for auspicious days.Read verse 4.37.1 →
ऋभुमृभुक्षणो रयिं वाजे वाजिन्तमं युजम् । इन्द्रस्वन्तं हवामहे सदासातममश्विनम् ॥
Verse 4.37.5Highlights the Rbhu/Ṛbhukṣaṇa as a victorious yoke-fellow bringing rayi in vāja, explicitly linking their help with Indra-like power and Aśvin-like assistance.Read verse 4.37.5 →
puru śasta
Verse 4.37.8Concluding synthesis: requests rayi joined with energizing ‘steed’ for the peoples, urging wide praise so generosity and increase may expand.Read verse 4.37.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Divine craftsmanship and perfection
  • Renewal and restoration (making the old new)
  • Ritual efficacy (setting the sacrifice in motion)
  • Bestowers of rayi (plenitude) and vāja (victorious force)
  • Swift, helpful allies linked with Indra and the Aśvins

Also by this seer

  • Numerous hymns of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 4 traditionally attributed to Vāmadeva
  • Hymns to Indra, Agni, and allied deities within RV 4 that emphasize inspired speech and victorious power

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; establish a calm, orderly ritual space.
  • Recite the opening invitation calling the Rbhus to approach by devayāna paths (godward ways).
  • Offer oblations while praising their craftsmanship and their power to set/restore the sacrifice among the clans.
  • Make petitions for rayi and vāja—plenitude, winning force, and communal strength—often in a tone of collective benefit.
  • Conclude with broad praise (puru-śasta) and a final request for generous increase (maghattva).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Soma libations (where applicable)
  • Grain/cakes (puroḍāśa) or simple food-offerings in domestic rites

Frequently Asked Questions

The Rbhus are divine craftsmen and renewing powers. In RV 4.37 they are called to perfect and re-energize the sacrifice and to bring prosperity and winning strength.

It asks the Rbhus to come by the godward paths, restore the yajña’s effective movement, and grant rayi (plenitude) along with vāja (victorious force) for the people.

The hymn links forms of divine help: Indra represents conquering power, and the Aśvins represent swift assistance. The Rbhus’ gifts of renewal and skill are invoked in harmony with these allied powers.

Ask anything about Sukta 37 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