Rbhus
Encyclopedia
The Ribhus are three semi-divine beings of the Rigveda
and the Atharvaveda
, Ribhu, Vaja and Vibhvan, collectively called by the name of their leader. In later Hindu mythology
(Vishnu Purana
), Ribhu is a son of Brahma
.
They are supposed to dwell in the solar sphere, and are the artists who formed the horses of Indra, the carriage of the Ashvins
, and the miraculous cow of Brihaspati
. They made their parents young, and performed other wonderful works. They are supposed to take their ease and remain idle for twelve days (the twelve intercalary days of the winter solstice
) every year in the house of the Sun (Agohya), after which they recommence working.
When the gods heard of their skill, they sent Agni
to them with the one cup of their rival Tvashtar, the artificer of the gods, bidding the Ribhus construct four cups from it. When they had successfully executed this task, the gods received the Ribhus among themselves and allowed them to partake of their sacrifices.
They appear generally as accompanying Indra
, especially at the evening sacrifice; in later mythology, Ribhu is a son of Brahmā
. All the three are said to be the sons of Sudhanvan, a descendant of Angiras.
Eleven hymns of the Rigveda are dedicated to them, RV 1.20, 110, 111, 161, RV 3.60, RV 4.33-37, RV 7.48.
The adjective in its lexical meaning "skillful" is also applied to Indra
, Agni
and the Adityas
in the Rigveda.
Rigveda
The Rigveda is an ancient Indian sacred collection of Vedic Sanskrit hymns...
and the Atharvaveda
Atharvaveda
The Atharvaveda is a sacred text of Hinduism and one of the four Vedas, often called the "fourth Veda"....
, Ribhu, Vaja and Vibhvan, collectively called by the name of their leader. In later Hindu mythology
Hindu mythology
Hindu religious literature is the large body of traditional narratives related to Hinduism, notably as contained in Sanskrit literature, such as the Sanskrit epics and the Puranas. As such, it is a subset of Nepali and Indian culture...
(Vishnu Purana
Vishnu Purana
The Vishnu Purana is a religious Hindu text and one of the eighteen Mahapuranas. It is considered one of the most important Puranas and has been given the name Puranaratna...
), Ribhu is a son of Brahma
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
.
They are supposed to dwell in the solar sphere, and are the artists who formed the horses of Indra, the carriage of the Ashvins
Ashvins
The Ashvins , in Hindu mythology, are divine twin horsemen in the Rigveda, sons of Saranya , a goddess of the clouds and wife of Surya in his form as Vivasvat. The Ashvins are Vedic gods symbolising the shining of sunrise and sunset, appearing in the sky before the dawn in a golden chariot,...
, and the miraculous cow of Brihaspati
Brihaspati
Bṛhaspati also known as Brahmanaspati and Deva-guru , is the name of a Vedic deity...
. They made their parents young, and performed other wonderful works. They are supposed to take their ease and remain idle for twelve days (the twelve intercalary days of the winter solstice
Winter solstice
Winter solstice may refer to:* Winter solstice, astronomical event* Winter Solstice , former band* Winter Solstice: North , seasonal songs* Winter Solstice , 2005 American film...
) every year in the house of the Sun (Agohya), after which they recommence working.
When the gods heard of their skill, they sent Agni
Agni
Agni is a Hindu deity, one of the most important of the Vedic gods. He is the god of fire and the acceptor of sacrifices. The sacrifices made to Agni go to the deities because Agni is a messenger from and to the other gods...
to them with the one cup of their rival Tvashtar, the artificer of the gods, bidding the Ribhus construct four cups from it. When they had successfully executed this task, the gods received the Ribhus among themselves and allowed them to partake of their sacrifices.
They appear generally as accompanying Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, especially at the evening sacrifice; in later mythology, Ribhu is a son of Brahmā
Brahma
Brahma is the Hindu god of creation and one of the Trimurti, the others being Vishnu and Shiva. According to the Brahma Purana, he is the father of Mānu, and from Mānu all human beings are descended. In the Ramayana and the...
. All the three are said to be the sons of Sudhanvan, a descendant of Angiras.
Eleven hymns of the Rigveda are dedicated to them, RV 1.20, 110, 111, 161, RV 3.60, RV 4.33-37, RV 7.48.
The adjective in its lexical meaning "skillful" is also applied to Indra
Indra
' or is the King of the demi-gods or Devas and Lord of Heaven or Svargaloka in Hindu mythology. He is also the God of War, Storms, and Rainfall.Indra is one of the chief deities in the Rigveda...
, Agni
Agni
Agni is a Hindu deity, one of the most important of the Vedic gods. He is the god of fire and the acceptor of sacrifices. The sacrifices made to Agni go to the deities because Agni is a messenger from and to the other gods...
and the Adityas
Ādityas
In Hinduism, Āditya , meaning "of or related to Aditi", refers to the offsprings of Aditi. Adityas are solar class deities. In later Hinduism, Aditya is used in the singular to mean the sun.-Vedas:...
in the Rigveda.