Rig Veda Sukta 110
Mandala 1Sukta 1109 Mantras

Sukta 110

Sukta 1.110

Devata

Ṛbhavaḥ (primary); verse frames sacrificial craft and satisfaction of the artisan-deities

Chandas

Jagatī (probable; longer cadence typical of Ṛbhu hymns)

Cet hymne loue les Ṛbhus, frères artisans divins, célébrant leur pouvoir de parfaire, de mesurer et de renouveler l’œuvre sacrificielle pour en faire une offrande « douce », inspirée. Par des images de vases façonnés, d’espace mesuré et de satisfaction au svāhā, il demande aux Ṛbhus (et à Indra en tant que ṛbhumān) d’accorder des dons rayonnants, la renommée et l’abondance. La clôture élargit la bénédiction à un chœur cosmique — Mitra-Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, la Terre et le Ciel — afin que le sacrifice soit universellement soutenu.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.110

Mantras

Mantra 1

ततं मे अपस्तदु तायते पुनः स्वादिष्ठा धीतिरुचथाय शस्यते । अयं समुद्र इह विश्वदेव्यः स्वाहाकृतस्य समु तृप्णुत ऋभवः ॥

L’œuvre que j’ai tendue — oui, elle se retend sans cesse ; la plus douce inspiration est proclamée pour l’hymne de la récitation. Voici l’océan, ici, dans ce domaine tout-divin ; ô Ṛbhus, soyez pleinement rassasiés de ce qui est offert avec le cri « svāhā ».

Mantra 2

आभोगयं प्र यदिच्छन्त ऐतनापाकाः प्राञ्चो मम के चिदापयः । सौधन्वनासश्चरितस्य भूमनागच्छत सवितुर्दाशुषो गृहम् ॥

En quête de large jouissance et de plénitude, les non-mûrs (mais aspirants) s’avancèrent ; et quelques-unes de mes eaux aussi s’écoulèrent au dehors. Alors les Saudhanvanas, les Ṛbhus, par l’ampleur de leur marche accomplie, arrivèrent à la demeure de Savitar, le Donateur, qui reçoit l’offrande.

Mantra 3

तत्सविता वोऽमृतत्वमासुवदगोह्यं यच्छ्रवयन्त ऐतन । त्यं चिच्चमसमसुरस्य भक्षणमेकं सन्तमकृणुता चतुर्वयम् ॥

Ce Savitar a insufflé en vous l’immortalité, chose cachée, lorsque vous vous êtes avancés en rendant manifeste l’audition (de la Vérité). Et ce seul calice — le vase de jouissance de l’Asura — vous, étant unis, l’avez fait de forme quadruple.

Mantra 4

विष्ट्वी शमी तरणित्वेन वाघतो मर्तासः सन्तो अमृतत्वमानशुः । सौधन्वना ऋभवः सूरचक्षसः संवत्सरे समपृच्यन्त धीतिभिः ॥

Ayant trouvé le juste lieu de repos et, par la puissance du franchissement, les chanteurs — bien que mortels — atteignirent l’immortalité. Les Ribhus, fils de Sūdhanvan, aux yeux du Soleil, dans le cycle de l’année, furent parfaitement unis à leurs illuminations (dhīti).

Mantra 5

क्षेत्रमिव वि ममुस्तेजनेनँ एकं पात्रमृभवो जेहमानम् । उपस्तुता उपमं नाधमाना अमर्त्येषु श्रव इच्छमानाः ॥

Comme on mesure un champ, ainsi, par la corde de mesure, ils mesurèrent ce seul vase frémissant. Loués, tendant vers la ressemblance suprême, ils désiraient la gloire impérissable parmi les Immortels.

Mantra 6

आ मनीषामन्तरिक्षस्य नृभ्यः स्रुचेव घृतं जुहवाम विद्मना । तरणित्वा ये पितुरस्य सश्चिर ऋभवो वाजमरुहन्दिवो रजः ॥

Par la connaissance, nous offrons — tel le beurre clarifié dans la cuillère sacrificielle — la richesse lumineuse de notre pensée inspirée aux hommes de la région médiane (Antarikṣa). Ces Ṛbhus qui, par la puissance du passage, se sont attachés au Père, ont monté le Vāja et se sont élevés vers le domaine resplendissant de l’espace céleste.

Mantra 7

ऋभुर्न इन्द्रः शवसा नवीयानृभुर्वाजेभिर्वसुभिर्वसुर्ददिः । युष्माकं देवा अवसाहनि प्रियेऽभि तिष्ठेम पृत्सुतीरसुन्वताम् ॥

Que Ṛbhu soit pour nous un Indra, toujours plus neuf en force; que Ṛbhu, par les abondances et les richesses, nous donne le vrai trésor. Ô dieux, par votre secours au jour cher du combat, puissions-nous tenir au-dessus des assauts hostiles de ceux qui ne pressent pas le Soma.

Mantra 8

निश्चर्मण ऋभवो गामपिंशत सं वत्सेनासृजता मातरं पुनः । सौधन्वनासः स्वपस्यया नरो जिव्री युवाना पितराकृणोतन ॥

De la peau, ô Ṛbhus, vous façonnâtes la Vache; réunie à son veau, vous rendîtes de nouveau la Mère. Ô Saudhanvanas, hommes d’œuvre parfaite, par votre art vous rajeunîtes les deux parents — Jivrī et l’autre.

Mantra 9

वाजेभिर्नो वाजसातावविड्ढ्यृभुमाँ इन्द्र चित्रमा दर्षि राधः । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥

Par les puissances de la plénitude, dans la conquête de la plénitude, viens à notre aide ; ô Indra, riche de la force des Ribhus, montre-nous le don rayonnant. Que Mitra et Varuna l’agrandissent pour nous — Aditi, le Fleuve de l’être, la Terre et aussi le Ciel.

Inside Sukta 110

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The poet presents the sacrificial work as repeatedly extended and refined, and offers the ‘sweetest’ inspired thought for proclamation.

  2. Development

    Craft imagery intensifies: the Ṛbhus’ measuring, shaping, and striving for the supreme likeness becomes a paradigm of how ritual gains immortal fame.

  3. Climax

    The hymn’s pivotal request: the Ṛbhus are urged to be fully satisfied by the svāhā-made offering—signaling ritual completion and efficacy.

  4. Where it settles

    It closes with a broad benediction: Indra (as ṛbhumān) is asked to reveal a radiant gift, and the cosmic powers (Mitra-Varuṇa, Aditi, Sindhu, Earth, Heaven) are invoked to magnify it.

The deity: Ṛbhavaḥ

  • In the VedaThe Ṛbhus are celebrated as wondrous artisan-deities—skillful, youthful, and praiseworthy—who by inspired workmanship fashion and refine sacred implements, renew what is old, and win a place among the immortals.
  • Cosmic functionThey represent the cosmic principle of perfected formation: measuring, shaping, and re-making forms so that order (ṛta) becomes effective in ritual and in the world’s renewal.
  • Inner significanceThey signify disciplined intelligence and creative mastery—turning raw impulse into well-made offering, and ordinary action into luminous, ‘immortal’ merit through precision, patience, and right measure.

The seer

  • Traditionally linked to the Ṛbhu-praise (Ṛbhukṣaṇa/Ṛbhu) poetic stream; specific seer uncertain for RV 1.110Composing craft-centered hymns that exalt the Ṛbhus as models of perfected skill (ṛbhutva) transforming the sacrifice into immortal glory.

Famous verses

svāhākṛtasya sam u tṛpṇuta ṛbhavaḥ
Verse 1.110.1Sets the hymn’s tone: sacrifice as crafted work and inspired speech, culminating in the direct invitation for the Ṛbhus’ satisfaction through svāhā.Read verse 1.110.1 →
क्षेत्रमिव वि ममुस्तेजनेनँ एकं पात्रमृभवो जेहमानम् । उपस्तुता उपमं नाधमाना अमर्त्येषु श्रव इच्छमानाः ॥
Verse 1.110.5A signature Ṛbhu motif: precise measurement and transformation of a single vessel—symbolizing perfected ritual form and the quest for imperishable glory.Read verse 1.110.5 →
वाजेभिर्नो वाजसातावविड्ढ्यृभुमाँ इन्द्र चित्रमा दर्षि राधः । तन्नो मित्रो वरुणो मामहन्तामदितिः सिन्धुः पृथिवी उत द्यौः ॥
Verse 1.110.9Concluding prayer that links Ṛbhu-power with Indra’s gift and expands support to major cosmic deities, turning artisan praise into universal blessing.Read verse 1.110.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Divine craftsmanship and technical mastery
  • Measuring and proportion (tejana imagery)
  • Renewal/re-fashioning (making old new)
  • Bestowers of fame (śravas) and prosperity (vāja)
  • Satisfaction through rightly offered svāhā
  • Allied with Indra as ṛbhumān (Ribhu-empowered)

Also by this seer

  • Associated with the broader cluster of early Rigvedic Ṛbhu hymns emphasizing divine craftsmanship and the ‘making new’ motif (notably within Mandala 1).
  • Contributes to the Rigvedic theme of ritual as a work of art: precise, measured, and capable of yielding amṛta-like fame and vitality.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar-space and implements with attention to measure and order (symbolic ‘measuring out the field’).
  • Kindle Agni and establish the offering-flow; recite Ṛbhu verses as consecratory praise of skill and correctness.
  • Offer oblations with the svāhā-call, explicitly inviting the Ṛbhus to ‘be satisfied’ with the well-made offering.
  • If Soma is present, accompany pressing/offerings with Ṛbhu praise to ‘renew’ strength and secure vāja (plenitude).
  • Conclude with petitions for radiant gifts and communal well-being, extending the blessing to supporting deities (Mitra-Varuṇa, Aditi, etc.).

Offerings

  • Ghee/clarified butter oblations (āhuti) with svāhā
  • Soma (where applicable)
  • Sacrificial food portions (havis)
  • Praise-hymn as an offering (stoma/uktha)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ṛbhus are divine artisan-deities praised for extraordinary skill—measuring, shaping, and renewing sacred forms. In this hymn they are invited to accept the offering and bless the sacrificer with prosperity and fame.

The imagery teaches that the sacrifice must be made with right measure and precision. The Ṛbhus’ craftsmanship becomes a symbol for perfecting the ritual so it can yield lasting, ‘immortal’ results.

Svāhā marks the oblation as properly offered into the fire. The hymn explicitly asks the Ṛbhus to be fully satisfied with what is ‘svāhā-made,’ meaning correctly consecrated and ritually complete.

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