Sukta 48
Sukta 7.48
Vasiṣṭha (Maṇḍala 7)
R̥bhus / Vāja / Rbhukṣaṇa (artisan-powers of perfection; associated with Soma and Indra-world)
Triṣṭubh
This brief Triṣṭubh hymn of Vasiṣṭha invokes the Ṛbhus—R̥bhukṣaṇa and Vāja as the powers of skilled perfection—to rejoice in the pressed Soma and to “set in motion” effective works that bring strength and victory. It links their wide-working craft with Indra’s heroic force, asking that ancient, true ordinances prevail and that the enemy’s deceit be nullified. The hymn closes with a universal appeal to the All-Gods, especially the Vasus, for spacious freedom (varivas), nourishment, and constant protection through well-being (svasti).
Mantras
Mantra 1
ऋभुक्षणो वाजा मादयध्वमस्मे नरो मघवानः सुतस्य । आ वोऽर्वाचः क्रतवो न यातां विभ्वो रथं नर्यं वर्तयन्तु ॥
O Rbhukṣaṇa and Vāja, rejoice here in us in the pressed Soma, O heroic givers. Let your efficacious powers come toward us; let the all-pervading ones set in motion the manly chariot (of the work).
Mantra 2
ऋभुॠभुभिरभि वः स्याम विभ्वो विभुभिः शवसा शवांसि । वाजो अस्माँ अवतु वाजसाताविन्द्रेण युजा तरुषेम वृत्रम् ॥
May we be encompassed by the R̥bhu with the R̥bhus; may Vibhvan, with the all-pervading ones, strengthen our strengths by force. May Vāja guard us in the winning of plenitude; yoked with Indra, may we overpass Vṛtra.
Mantra 3
ते चिद्धि पूर्वीरभि सन्ति शासा विश्वाँ अर्य उपरताति वन्वन् । इन्द्रो विभ्वाँ ऋभुक्षा वाजो अर्यः शत्रोर्मिथत्या कृणवन्वि नृम्णम् ॥
For truly those ancient ordinances are there, pressing upon all: the noble one wins the higher reach. Indra the wide-working, R̥bhukṣaṇa, and Vāja the noble—making the foe’s falsehood into nothing—manifest the heroic power in fullness.
Mantra 4
नू देवासो वरिवः कर्तना नो भूत नो विश्वेऽवसे सजोषाः । समस्मे इषं वसवो ददीरन्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
Now, O gods, make for us the wide free space; be all of you united for our help. May the Vasus bestow upon us the impulsion and plenty; and you—guard us always with your well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Ṛbhus are divine artisan-powers—especially named here as R̥bhukṣaṇa and Vāja—who represent perfected skill and effective action, closely linked with Soma and Indra’s victorious force.
It asks the Ṛbhus to rejoice in the pressed Soma, bring their efficacious powers near, help true ordinances prevail, destroy the enemy’s deceit, and finally grant spacious freedom, nourishment, and constant well-being.
After invoking the specific powers of perfection (the Ṛbhus), the poet seals the prayer with a broad protective blessing—asking the Viśve Devāḥ, with emphasis on the Vasus, to give support, plenty, and lasting svasti for the worshippers.