Vedic Mythology c5.s8.t1.4

c5.s8.t1.4

The references to the physical aspect or the equipment of the Ṛbhus are scanty. They are of sunlike appearance (1, 110⁴). They have a car (1, 161⁷), which is drawn by steeds (7, 48¹). Their car is bright, their steeds are fat; they wear metal helmets and fair necklaces (4, 37⁴). Ṛbhu is a possessor of steeds (*aśvin*: 4, 37⁵). The Ṛbhus are characteristically defthanded (*suhastāḥ*) and skilful (*apás*, *svapas*: 4, 33 1. 8 &c.), their skilful deeds being incomparable (3, 60⁴). They are frequently said to have acquired the rank of gods in consequence of their marvellous skill. Through their wondrous deeds they obtained divinity (3, 60¹). By their skilful deeds they became gods and immortal, alighting like eagles in heaven (4, 35⁸). They are men of the air who by their energy mounted to heaven (1, 110⁶). For their skilful services they went the path of immortality to the host of the gods (4, 35³), obtaining immortality among the gods and their friendship (4, 33 3. 4. 35³. 36⁴). But they were originally mortals, children of Manu, who by their industry acquired immortality (3, 60³; 1, 110⁴). The AB. (3, 30²) speaks of them as men who by austerity (*tapas*) obtained a right to partake of Soma among the gods. The gods rejoiced so greatly in their work, that Vāja became the artificer of the gods, Ṛbhukṣan of Indra, and Vibhvan of Varuṇa (4, 33⁹). They went to the gods and obtained the sacrifice, or a share of the sacrifice, among the gods through their skilful work (1, 20 1. 8. 121 6. 7). Thus the third or evening pressing or libation (*savana*) belongs to them, they having obtained it by their skilful work (1, 161⁸; 4, 33¹¹. 34⁴. 35⁹). They are thus sometimes expressly invoked as gods (4, 36⁵. 37¹).