Rig Veda Sukta 35
Mandala 4Sukta 359 Mantras

Sukta 35

Sukta 4.35

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for RV 4.35)

Devata

Ṛbhus (with Indra as associated power)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; needs metrical verification)

Ang himalang ito ay nag-aanyaya sa mga Ṛbhu, mga diyos na artesano-propeta na tanyag sa ganap na kasanayan, na pumunta sa pagpiga ng Soma at magbahagi sa kayamanan ng alay kasama si Indra. Ito ay nag-aalala sa kanilang mga gawang kahanga-hanga (pagpapanibago sa mga Magulang, paglikha sa inuman ng mga diyos, at paggawa sa mga mabilis na kayumangging kabayo ni Indra) upang bigyang-katwiran ang kanilang karapatan sa ikatlong pagpiga at sa kalakasang nakapagpapaluwalhati.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.35

Mantras

Mantra 1

इहोप यात शवसो नपातः सौधन्वना ऋभवो माप भूत । अस्मिन्हि वः सवने रत्नधेयं गमन्त्विन्द्रमनु वो मदासः ॥

Pumarito, O mga anak ng Lakas, O mga Rbhung Saudhanvan; huwag kayong umatras. Sapagkat sa pagpiga na ito naroon ang inyong kayamanang itatayo: pahintulutan ninyong ang inyong kasiyahan at galak ay sumunod kay Indra, na gumagalaw kasama niya sa tamang kasiyahan.

Mantra 2

आगन्नृभूणामिह रत्नधेयमभूत्सोमस्य सुषुतस्य पीतिः । सुकृत्यया यत्स्वपस्यया चँ एकं विचक्र चमसं चतुर्धा ॥

Narito ang kayamanang itinatag para sa mga Rbhu; naroon ang pag-inom ng mainam na pinigang Soma. Sapagkat sa tamang kasanayan at sa liwanag na pagkakagawa, ginawa nila ang isang kopa sa apat, pinarami ang iisang sisidlan ng kasiyahan sa apat na antas ng kapasidad.

Mantra 3

व्यकृणोत चमसं चतुर्धा सखे वि शिक्षेत्यब्रवीत । अथैत वाजा अमृतस्य पन्थां गणं देवानामृभवः सुहस्ताः ॥

Hinubog nila ang kopa sa apat na bahagi; at sinabi ng isa, Kaibigan, aralin mo ang kasanayan. Nang magkagayon ang mga Vaja ay nakita nila ang landas ng imortalidad; ang mga Rbhu, na may mabubuting kamay, ay pumasok sa kapisanan ng mga diyos.

Mantra 4

किम्मयः स्विच्चमस एष आस यं काव्येन चतुरो विचक्र । अथा सुनुध्वं सवनं मदाय पात ऋभवो मधुनः सोम्यस्य ॥

Anong sangkap ang ginamit sa kopang ito, na sa pamamagitan ng inspiradong sining ay inyong hinubog sa apat? Ngayon pigaan ninyo ang alay para sa kasiyahan; uminom, O mga Rbhu, ng matamis na Soma, tikman ang tamis ng diwa ng kaluluwa.

Mantra 5

शच्याकर्त पितरा युवाना शच्याकर्त चमसं देवपानम् । शच्या हरी धनुतरावतष्टेन्द्रवाहावृभवो वाजरत्नाः ॥

Sa pamamagitan ng kapangyarihan ng mabisang kasanayan ay ginawa ninyong mulang bata ang dalawang Magulang; sa gayunding kasanayan ay ginawa ninyo ang kopang akma sa pag-inom ng mga diyos. Sa gayunding kasanayan ay hinubog ninyo ang dalawang kayumangging kabayo, ang mabilis na tagapagdala ng pana ni Indra, O mga Rbhu, sagana sa mga kasaganaan at kayamanan ng lakas.

Mantra 6

यो वः सुनोत्यभिपित्वे अह्नां तीव्रं वाजासः सवनं मदाय । तस्मै रयिमृभवः सर्ववीरमा तक्षत वृषणो मन्दसानाः ॥

Sinumang nagpiga para sa inyo, O Vājas at Ṛbhus, sa pagsasama ng mga araw, ang matibay na pagpiga para sa kasiyahan - sa kanya ay bumuo ng yaman na puno ng lahat ng kapangyarihang bayani. O mga mabisig, na nagagalak, umukit at itakda ang kasaganaang ito sa kanyang pagkatao.

Mantra 7

प्रातः सुतमपिबो हर्यश्व माध्यंदिनं सवनं केवलं ते । समृभुभिः पिबस्व रत्नधेभिः सखीँर्याँ इन्द्र चकृषे सुकृत्या ॥

Sa umaga ay uminom ka ng pinipigang Soma, O Indra ng mga kabayong madilaw-dilaw; ang pagpiga sa tanghali ay sa iyo lamang. Uminom kasama ang mga Ṛbhus, ang mga tagapagdala ng kayamanan - ang mga kaibigang iyong ginawa sa pamamagitan ng iyong matuwid at perpektong gawa.

Mantra 8

ये देवासो अभवता सुकृत्या श्येना इवेदधि दिवि निषेद । ते रत्नं धात शवसो नपातः सौधन्वना अभवतामृतासः ॥

Kayo na sa pamamagitan ng perpektong katuwiran ay naging mga diyos, tulad ng mga lawin ay inyong inuukan ang inyong upuan sa langit. Kaya't itakda ang kayamanan, O mga anak ng Lakas, O mga Saudhanvana; maging sa amin ang mga walang kamatayang kapangyarihan - na nagtatatag sa tao ng imortal na pakinabang.

Mantra 9

यत्तृतीयं सवनं रत्नधेयमकृणुध्वं स्वपस्या सुहस्ताः । तदृभवः परिषिक्तं व एतत्सं मदेभिरिन्द्रियेभिः पिबध्वम् ॥

Nang inyong binuo ang ikatlong pagpiga ng Soma, isang pagbubuhos na tagapagdala ng kayamanan, O mga bihasang manggagawa na may mabubuting kamay at tamang gawa - kaya't, O mga Rbhu, uminom nito na ibinuhos para sa inyo, kasama ang mga kaligayahan na nagpupukaw sa mga kapangyarihang indriya.

Inside Sukta 35

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct summons: the Ṛbhus, ‘offspring of force,’ are called to approach the pressing and not hold back; their ‘treasure’ is present in the Soma rite, moving in Indra’s wake.

  2. Development

    The hymn builds authority by recounting signature marvels accomplished through śacī (effective skill): rejuvenation, perfected vessels, and Indra’s swift bearers—linking artisan power to divine enjoyment of Soma.

  3. Climax

    The third pressing is named as a ratna-bearing outpouring fashioned for them; the poured Soma is explicitly offered for their drinking together with Indra-like exhilaration and awakened faculties (indriya).

  4. Where it settles

    The invitation culminates in participation: drink, rejoice, and thereby confirm the reciprocal bond—human offering and divine empowerment—so the sacrifice yields wealth, force, and right enjoyment.

The deity: Ṛbhus

  • In the VedaThe Ṛbhus are three (sometimes spoken of collectively) exalted craftsmen who attain divinity through flawless work (śacī, “effective skill”). They are praised for marvels such as renewing the Parents to youth, making the divine drinking-cup, and crafting Indra’s steeds—thereby earning a share in the Soma.
  • Cosmic functionThey represent the power that perfects forms: refining, renewing, and multiplying the capacities of the world and the sacrifice; they help “make fit” the vessels and forces through which the gods partake and act (especially in Indra’s Soma-driven might).
  • Inner significanceThe Ṛbhus symbolize disciplined craftsmanship of consciousness—skill that converts raw impulse into luminous capacity. Their ‘works’ mirror inner renewal (youthfulness of vital powers), the purified ‘cup’ of receptivity, and the harnessed energies (Indra’s horses) that carry will and insight swiftly toward the goal.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Aṅgirasa-associated seer-line in Book 4) · A major Ṛgvedic seer of Mandala 4, noted for powerful Indra-oriented inspiration and for hymns that link ritual efficacy with inner illumination (often later read through the lens of Vāmadeva’s visionary identity-teachings).

Famous verses

ratnadheyaṃ
Verse 4.35.1Sets the hymn’s ritual frame: an urgent invitation to the Ṛbhus to come to the Soma pressing, claim their ratna-dheya (treasure-share), and align their exhilaration with Indra’s movement.Read verse 4.35.1 →
śacyākarta
Verse 4.35.5A compact catalogue of Ṛbhu ‘miracles’ achieved by śacī—renewing the Parents, making the divine cup, and fashioning Indra’s tawny steeds—showing why they merit worship and Soma.Read verse 4.35.5 →
tṛtīyaṃ savanam
Verse 4.35.9Names the third pressing as their special portion and ties Soma-drinking to indriya-awakening, making the hymn’s spiritual-psychological subtext explicit.Read verse 4.35.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Divine artisans/craftsmen (śacī-kṛt)
  • Renewers and refiners (restoring youth, perfecting forms)
  • Allied with Soma and the third pressing
  • Closely linked with Indra’s empowerment (harī, indriya-strength)
  • Bearers of treasures and plenitude (vāja, ratna)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Ṛgveda Mandala 4 traditionally attributed to Vāmadeva Gautama
  • Indra hymns emphasizing victory, inspiration, and Soma (e.g., clusters within RV 4.16–4.33 in traditional attributions)
  • Hymns engaging the Ṛbhus and sacrificial craftsmanship themes within Book 4’s Aṅgirasa current

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the Soma pressing place and vessels; kindle and steady the ritual fires.
  • Press Soma and strain it; set out the cups (camasa) and portions for invited deities.
  • Invoke the Ṛbhus to ‘come here’ and not withdraw, affirming their right to the treasure in this savana.
  • Recite their deeds (renewing the Parents, making the cup, shaping Indra’s steeds) as a liturgical warrant for their participation.
  • Offer Soma portions to the Ṛbhus in association with Indra; request that their skill and Indra’s power increase the sacrificer’s strength and wealth.
  • Conclude with the invitation to drink what is poured out, joined with the exhilarations that awaken the indriya-powers.

Offerings

  • Soma (especially the third pressing)
  • Clarified butter (ghee) and customary oblations accompanying Soma rites
  • Praise/recitation (stotra/śastra-style laud) as the principal ‘offering’ of remembrance of their works

Frequently Asked Questions

The Ṛbhus are divine craftsmen who became godlike through perfect skill. The hymn praises their famous works and invites them to the Soma offering.

The Ṛbhus are closely linked with Indra because their craftsmanship supports his power—especially his Soma-driven strength and his two tawny steeds. So the hymn invites them to rejoice in the offering ‘following Indra.’

It is the third Soma pressing (tṛtīya savana), a later round of Soma preparation and offering. RV 4.35 treats it as a special, treasure-bearing portion prepared for the Ṛbhus to drink.

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