Ribhus, Ṛbhus: 1 definition
Introduction:
Ribhus means something in Hinduism, Sanskrit. If you want to know the exact meaning, history, etymology or English translation of this term then check out the descriptions on this page. Add your comment or reference to a book if you want to contribute to this summary article.
The Sanskrit term Ṛbhus can be transliterated into English as Rbhus or Ribhus, using the IAST transliteration scheme (?).
In Hinduism
Purana and Itihasa (epic history)
Ṛbhus (ऋभुस्).—General information. Ṛbhus are a group of divine beings who attained divinity by performing tapas. Mahābhārata, Anuśāsana Parva, Chapter 137, Verse 25 says that even other gods worship the Ṛbhus. Who were Ṛbhus? Aṅgiras, the son of Brahmā had a son named Sudhanvā. Sudhanvā had three children, Ṛbhukṣan, Vibhvan and Vāja. These three persons form the Ṛbhus as mentioned in Ṛgveda, 1st Maṇḍala, 16th Anuvāka, 111th Sūkta. Ṛbhus and Miracles.
(i) Long ago, a cow belonging to a Ṛṣi died. Its calf began to cry. The Ṛṣi took pity on it and prayed to the Ṛbhus. They made a cow and covered it with the skin of the dead cow and placed it in front of the calf. Because of its likeness to its mother, the calf believed it to be its mother.
(ii) Ṛbhus restored their parents who had become old, to youth. (Ṛgveda, 1st Maṇḍala, 16th Anuvāka. 11th Sūkta).
(iii) Ṛgveda says that it was the Ṛbhus who made Indra’s horses, the chariot of the Aśvinīs and Bṛhaspati’s cow. (See full article at Story of Ṛbhus from the Puranic encyclopaedia by Vettam Mani)

The Purana (पुराण, purāṇas) refers to Sanskrit literature preserving ancient India’s vast cultural history, including historical legends, religious ceremonies, various arts and sciences. The eighteen mahapuranas total over 400,000 shlokas (metrical couplets) and date to at least several centuries BCE.
See also (Relevant definitions)
Starts with: Ribhushthira.
Full-text (+7): Ribhu, Vaja, Saudhanvana, Aindrarbhava, Shamishtha, Vibhumat, Vajavant, Alata, Ribhukshin, Arbhava, Ayahshipra, Vajaratna, Ribhumat, Vibhvan, Bhrigumantra, Svapas, Damunas, Vajavat, Romaharshana, Ashwini.
Relevant text
Search found 35 books and stories containing Ribhus, Ṛbhus, Rbhus; (plurals include: Ribhuses, Ṛbhuses, Rbhuses). You can also click to the full overview containing English textual excerpts. Below are direct links for the most relevant articles:
Brihaddevata attributed to Shaunaka (by Arthur Anthony Macdonell)
Part 17 - Story of the Ribhus and Tvastri < [Chapter 3 - Deities of Rigveda I.13-126]
Part 35 - Deities of Rigveda VII.44-49 < [Chapter 5 - Deities of Rigveda IV.33–VII.49]
Part 24 - Rigveda III.53. 21-24; Deities of Rigveda III.54-60 < [Chapter 4 - Deities of Rigveda I.126–IV.32]
Yoga-sutras (with Vyasa and Vachaspati Mishra) (by Rama Prasada)
Sūtra 3.25 < [Book 3 - Attainment (Vibhūti or Siddhi)]
Nirukta and the Vedic interpretation (study) (by Shruti S. Pradhan)
Page 14 < [Chapter 5 - Group “E”]
Page 21 < [Chapter 2 - Group “B”]
Page 175 < [Chapter 1 - Group “A”]
Puranic encyclopaedia (by Vettam Mani)
Aitareya Brahmana (a comprehensive analysis) (by Sanghamitra Mukherjee)
Group Deities (16): The Ṛbhus < [Chapter 2 - Gods and Goddesses]
Group Deities (18): The Viśvedevas < [Chapter 2 - Gods and Goddesses]
Group Deities (14): The Rudras < [Chapter 2 - Gods and Goddesses]
Satapatha-brahmana (by Julius Eggeling)
Kanda VIII, adhyaya 4, brahmana 2 < [Eight Kanda]
Kanda XIV, adhyaya 2, brahmana 2 < [Fourteenth Kanda]
Kanda XIII, adhyaya 6, brahmana 2 < [Thirteenth Kanda]
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