Vedic mythology

45- GROUPS OF GODS. H. LOWER DEITIES. 46. RBHUS. 131
46. Rbhus. -
H. LOWER DEITIES.
- Besides the higher gods of the Veda there are a
number of mythical beings not regarded as having the divine nature fully
and originally. The most important of these are the Rbhus. They are cele
brated in eleven hymns of the RV. and are mentioned by name over a
hundred times. They form a triad. Their individual names, which often
occur, are Rbhu or less commonly Rbhuksan ( chief of the Rbhus ), Vaja,
and Vibhvan. These three names are several times mentioned together,
sometimes only two of them, while occasionally Rbhu is referred to alone.
They are most often spoken of in the plural as rbhavah, but the plural of
each of their names may designate the triad. Sometimes the plurals of all
three (4, 36^; 8, 48 1
) or of only two (Vdjd Rbhuksanah or Vdjd RbhavaJi)
appear to be used together pleonastically to indicate the trio. Once the com
bination Vdjo Vibhvdn RbhavaJi occurs (4,
6
36 j. Occasionally an indefinite
or Rbhu with
group seems to be meant, as all (visve) the Rbhus (7, 5i 3 ),
2
the Rbhus, Vibhvan with the Vibhus (7, 48 ) are invoked. In the latter passage
Rbhu and Vibhvan are evidently thought of as chiefs of groups of the same
name. The three Rbhus are once distinguished as eldest, younger, and
youngest (4, 33 5 ).
The Rhbus are about a dozen times called by the patronymic name of
are also once
Saudhanvana, sons of Sudhanvan, the good archer . They
collectively addressed as the son (suno) of Indra (4,
4
37 ). In the same verse
they are invoked as children of might (savaso napdtaJi), as if a play on the
meaning of napdt (also grandson ) were intended, in contrast with the epithet
son of might (savasah sunu), which is applied exclusively to Indra. The
epithet savaso napdtaJi is almost peculiar to them, being applied to them
five times and otherwise only once to Mitra-Varuna. In one passage (3,6o3)
they are spoken of as children of Manu (manor napdtaJi) and their parents
(pitara) are several times mentioned. In one hymn they address Agni. as
their brother (i, i6i T - 3
).
They are very frequently invoked to come to the sacrifice (4,34*- 3 1
. 37 )
and to drink the Soma 4
. juice (4, 34 36 2
; 7, 48 1
). Being high in heaven they
are besought to come to the Soma in the lower abodes (4, 37^). In this they
are generally associated with Indra (3, 6o4~ 6
with the Maruts (i, 20$.
; 4, 333. 346. 357), a few times
in 4 ; 4, and once with the 34"), Adityas, Savitr,
8
Mountains, and Rivers (4,34 ). In other respects also they are closely connected
with Indra. They are Indra-like 5
(4,37 ) and Rbhu is like a new Indra (i, no?).
With Indra they help mortals to victory (4,
6
37 ) and are invoked with him
to crush foes (7, 48^). They are said to have obtained the friendship of
Indra by their skilful work (3, 6o3; 4, 35? 9 ); for it is they who fashioned
his steeds. In the hymns devoted to their praise, they are rarely invoked
with gods other than Indra, there being only one such passage (4, 34) in
which Indra is not mentioned as well. Indra s connexion with them is indeed
so characteristic, that he is, like the eldest of the triad, called chief of the
Rbhus (rbhuksan\ a term also two or three times applied to Indra s asso
ciates, the Maruts. In some of the Visvedeva hymns they are brought into
connexion with a few other gods, chiefly Tvastr.
The references to the physical aspect or the equipment of the Rbhus
are scanty. They are of sunlike appearance (i, no 4 ). They have a caj
(i,i6i ) which is drawn by steeds
1
(7, 48 ). Their car is are fat; they
bright, their steeds
wear metal helmets and fair necklaces (4, 37^). Rbhu is a
possessor of steeds (asvin\ 4, 37$). The Rbhus are characteristically deft-
9*