THE COMPOSERS OF RIG VED

The composers of the Rigved are divided into ten families. These ten families are identified on the basis of the fact that each family has its own Apri-sukta.

An Apri-sukta is a particular type of ritual hymn ?consisting of invocations to a series of deified objects, and said to be introductory to the animal sacrifice?. 1

The ten Apri-suktas, and the ten families of composers to whom they belong, are :

1. I.13 Kanvas (Kevala-Angirases)

2. I.142 Angirases

3. I.188 Agastyas

4. II.3 Grtsamads (Kevala-Bhrgus)

5. III.4 Visvamitras

6. V.5 Atris

7. VII.2 Vashishths

8. IX.5 Kashyaps

9. X.70 Bharats

10. X.110 Bhrgus

In addition to hymns and verses composed by members of these ten families, we also have the two following categories of hymns and verses :

11. Those composed Jointly by members of different families.

12. Those composed by Rishis whose family identity is unknown or unidentifiable.

The family-wise distribution of the hymns in each Mandala is as follows :

Mandala I (191 hymns, 2006 verses) :

1 Kanvas (27 hymns, 321 verses): 12-23, 36-50

2. Angirases (96 hymns, 1047 verses): 31-35, 51-64, 74-98, 100-126, 140-164

3. Agastyas (27 hymns, 239 verses): 165-191

5. Visvamitras (18 hymns, 207 verses): 1-11, 24-30

7. Vashishths (9 hymns, 91 verses): 65-73

8. Kashyaps (1 hymn, 1 verse): 99

9. Bharats (13 hymns, 100 verses): 127-139

Mandala II (43 hymns, 429 verses) :

4. Grtsamads (39 hymns, 398 verses): 1-3, 8-43

10. Bhrgus (4 hymns, 31 verses): 4-7

Mandala III (62 hymns, 617 verses) :

5. Visvamitras (60 hymns, 588 verses): 1-35, 37-61

11. Joint (2 hymns, 29 verses): 36, 62

2. Angirases (1 verse): 36.10

5. Visvamitras (25 verses): 36.1-9, 11; 62.1-15

11. Joint Visvamitras and Bhrgus (3 verses): 62.16-18

Mandala IV (58 hymns, 589 verses) :

2. Angirases (58 hymns, 589 verses): 1-58

Mandala V (87 hymns, 727 verses) :

2. Angirases (3 hymns, 19 verses): 15, 35-36

3. Agastyas (1 hymn, 4 verses): 24

5. Visvamitras ( 2 hymns, 19 verses): 33-34

6. Atris (79 hymns, 655 verses): 1-14, 16-23, 25-28, 30-32, 37-43, 45-87

7. Vashishths (1 hymn, 15 verses): 29

11. Joint (1 hymn, 15 verses): 44

6. Atris (1 verse) 44.13

8. Kashyaps (11 verses): 44.1-9, 14-15

11. Joint Atris and Kashyaps (3 verses): 44.10-12

Mandala VI (75 hymns, 765 verses) :

2. Angirases (75 hymns, 765 verses): 1-75

Mandala VII (104 hymns, 841 verses) :

7. Vashishths (102 hymns, 832 verses): 1-100, 103-104

11. Joint (2 hymns, 9 verses): 101-102

11. Joint Angirases and Vashishths (2 hymns, 9 verses): 101-102

Mandala VIII (103 hymns, 1716 verses) :

1. Kanvas (55 hymns, 933 verses): 1, 3-22, 32-34, 39-41, 45, 48-66, 72, 76-78, 81-83, 103

2. Angirases (25 hymns, 460 verses): 23-26, 43-44, 46, 68-71, 75, 80, 85-86, 88-90, 92-96, 98-99

3 Agastyas (1 hymn, 21 verses): 67

6. Atris (7 hymns, 88 verses): 35-38, 73-74, 91

8. Kashyaps (6 hymns, 74 verses): 27-31, 97

10. Bhrgus (4 hymns, 46 verses): 79, 84, 100-101

11. Joint (4 hymns, 76 verses): 2, 42, 87, 102

1. Kanvas (2 verses): 2.41-42

11. Joint Kanvas and Angirases (40 verses): 2.1-40 Joint Kanvas and Atris (1 hymn, 6 verses): 42 Joint Angirases and Vashishths (1 hymn, 6 verses): 87 Joint Angirases and Bhrgus (1 hymn, 22 verses): 102

Mandala IX (114 hymns, 1108 verses) :

1. Kanvas (8 hymns, 50 verses): 2, 41-43, 94-95, 104-105

2. Angirases (30 hymns, 217 verses): 4,27-31, 35-40, 44-46, 50-52, 61, 69, 72-74, 80-83, 93, 98, 112

3. Agastyas (2 hymns, 12 verses): 25-26

5. Visvamitras (5 hymns, 44 verses): 1, 3, 70-71, 84

6. Atris (2 hymns, 16 verses): 32, 68

7. Vashishths (1 hymn, 6 verses): 90

8. Kashyaps (36 hymns, 300 verses): 5-24, 53-60, 63-64, 91-92, 99-100, 113-114

9. Bharats (2 hymns, 27 verses): 96, 111

10. Bhrgus (14 hymns, 136 verses): 47-49, 62, 65, 75-79, 85, 87-89

11. Joint (6 hymns, 196 verses): 67, 86, 97, 101, 107-108

2. Angirases (32 verses): 67.1-3, 7-9; 97. 45-48; 107.1, 3; 108.4-13

4. Grtsamads (3 verses): 86.46-48

5. Visvamitras (8 verses): 67.13-15; 101. 13-16; 107.5

6. Atris (12 verses): 67.10-12; 86.41-45; 101.1-3; 107.4

7. Vashishths (54 verses): 67. 19-21; 97.1-44; 107.7; 108.1-3, 14-16

8. Kashyaps (4 verses): 67.4-6; 107.2

10. Bhrgus (4 verses): 67.16-18; 107.6

11. Joint Angirases and Vashishths (11 verses): 67.22-32

Joint Saptarishis (19 verses): 107. 8-26

12. Unknown (8 hymns, 104 verses): 33-34, 66, 102-103, 106, 109-110

Mandala X (191 hymns, 1754 verses) :

1. Kanvas (1 hymn, 9 verses): 115

2. Angirases (58 hymns, 485 verses); 11-12, 37, 39-44, 47-56, 67-68, 71-72, 75, 79-80, 87-88, 100, 105, 111-114, 117-118, 126, 128, 131-132, 134, 138, 149, 152, 155-156, 158, 164, 169-170, 172-174, 178, 182, 187-188, 191.

3. Agastyas (4 hymns, 40 verses): 57-60

5. Visvamitras (12 hymns, 91 verses): 89-90, 104, 121, 129-130, 160-161, 177, 183-184, 190

6. Atris (8 hymns, 112 verses): 45-46, 61-64, 101, 143

7. Vashishths (26 hymns, 276 verses): 20-29, 38, 65-66, 73-74, 83-84, 86, 95, 99, 103, 119, 122, 147, 150, 180

8. Kashyaps (3 hymns, 24 verses): 106, 136, 163

9. Bharats (4 hymns, 42 verses): 69-70, 102, 133

10. Bhrgus (24 hymns, 255 verses): 10, 13-19, 77-78, 91-93, 97-98, 110, 120, 123, 135, 144, 148, 154, 165, 171

11. Joint (7 hymns, 49 verses): 96, 107, 127, 137, 167, 179, 181

2. Angirases (4 verses): 137.1,3; 181. 2-3

5. Visvamitras (1 verse): 137.5

6. Atris (1 verse): 137.4

7. Vashishths (2 verses): 137.7; 181.1

8. Kashyaps (1 verse): 137.2

9. Bharats (1 verse): 179.2

10. Bhrgus (1 verse): 137.6

11. Joint Kanvas and Angirases (1 hymn, 8 verses): 127

Joint Angirases and Visvamitras (1 hymn, 11 verses): 107

Joint Angirases and Vashishths (1 hymn, 13 verses): 96

Joint Visvamitras and Bhrgus (1 hymn, 4 verses): 167

12. Unknown (2 verses): 179.1,3

13. Unknown (44 hymns, 371 verses): 1-9, 30-36, 76, 81-82, 85, 94, 108-109, 116, 124-125, 139-142, 145-146, 151, 153, 157, 159, 162, 166, 168, 175-176, 185-186, 189

Clarifications regarding Mandala X :

Mandala X is a very late Mandala, and stands out from the other nine Mandalas in many respects. One of these is the general ambiguity in the ascriptions of the hymns to their composers. In respect of 44 hymns, and 2 other verses, it is virtually impossible even to identify the family of the composer.

In respect of many other hymns and verses, where we have identified the family affiliations of the composers, the following clarifications are in order :

Family 1: Kanvas (1 hymn) :

1. Upastuta Varstihavya (1 hymn): X.115

a. This Rishi practically identifies himself as a Kanva in verse 5 of the hymn.

b. Outside this hymn, three out of four references to Upastuta are by Kanvas (I.36.10, 17; VIII.5.25; 103. 8), and in the fourth reference, Upastuta is named along-with Kali (another Kanva Rishi, composer of VIII.66).

Family 2: Angirases (19 hymns) :

1. Indra Vaikuntha (3 hymns): X.48-50

Saptagu Angiras, the composer of X.47, is clearly the composer of these three hymns, which constitute a continuation of the theme in hymn 47. Hymn 47 is addressed to Indra as Indra Vaikuntha, and these three hymns, in the manner of a dialogue-hymn, constitute Indras reply to Saptagu.

2. Agneyas (8 hymns): X.51-53, 79-80, 156, 187-188

Agni Saucika/Sapti Vajambhara: X.51-53, 79,-80

Ketu Agneya: X.156

Vatsa Agneya: X.187

Syena Agneya: X.188

a. Agni Saucika is identifiable with the Bharadvaj Rishi Agni Barhaspatya (Joint composer of VIII. 102).

b. Suci is a Bharadvaj gotra.

c. The word Vajambhara is found in only two verses outside this hymn, both by Angirases: I. 60. 6; IV.1.4.

d. Vaja-m-bhara is clearly an inverted form of Bhara-d-Vaj.

e. The only gotras with Agni are Bharadvaj and Kashyap gotras.

3. Sauryas (4 hymns): X.37, 158, 170, 181 (Joint)

Abhitapa Saurya: X.37

Caksu Saurya: X.158

Vibhrat Saurya: X.170

Gharma Saurya:X.181 (Joint)

a. The only gotras with Surya are Bharadvaj and Visvamitra gotras.

b. The only other hymns to Surya are by g Bharadvaj (I.115) and a Kanva (I. 50).

c. The Joint hymn b y Gharma Saurya is with a Bharadvaj and a Vashishth.

d. A word meaning asura-slayer, asurahan/asuraghna, occuring in X.170. 2, is found elsewhere only in hymns by a Bharadvaj (VI. 22. 4) and a Vashishth (VII.13.1).

e. The three above hymns by Saurya Rishis have repetitions in common only with hymns by Angirases and by Grtsamad (a descendant of Bharadvaj) :

X.37.4: X.127.2 (Ratri Bhdradvaji) Jyotisa badhase tamo.

X.37.10: II.23.15 (Grtsamada Saunahotra) Dravinam dhehi citram.

X.158.5: I.82.3 (Gotama Rahugan) Susandrsam tva vayam.

X.170.4: VIII.98.3 (Nrmedha Angiras) Vibhrajanjyotisa svaragaccho rocanam divah.

4. Auravas (3 hymns): X.11-12, 138

Anga Aurava: X.138

Havirdhana Angi: X.11-12

The patronymics of these Rishis show them to be descendants of Uru Angiras (Joint composer of IX.108).

5. Aristanemi Tarksya (1 hymn): X.178.

a. The only other hymns to horses are by Angirases (I.162-163; IV. 38-40) and a Vashishth (VII. 44).

b. The word Tarksya, outside this hymn, is found only in one verse by an Angiras, Gotama Rahugan (1.89.6).

c. The only hymns which have repetitions in common with X.178 are by Vamdev Gautam: X.178.2: IV.23.10

Prthvi bahule gabhire X.178.3: IV.38.10

Savasa pañca krstih surya iva jyotisapastatana.

Family 5: Visvamitras (9 hymns) :

1. Prajapatyas (9 hymns): 90, 107 (Joint), 121, 129-130, 161, 177, 183-184

Narayan: X.90

Daksina Prajapatya: X.107 (Joint)

Hiranyagarbh Prajapatya: X.121

Prajapati Paramesthin: X.129

Yajña Prajapatya: X.130

Yaksmanasana Prajapatya: X.161

Patanga Prajapatya: X.177

Prajavan Prajapatya: X.183

Vishnu Prajapatya: X.184

a. Prajapati Paramesthin, clearly the patriarch of this group of Rishis, is identifiable with Prajapati Visvamitra (composer of III.54-56).

b. The only hymn which has a repetition in common with X.129 (by Prajapati ParameSThin) is III.54 (by Prajapati Visvamitra): X. 129.6: III.54.5 Ko addha veda ka iha pra vocat.

c. All the above hymns deal with the subject of creation. The only other hymn dealing with this subject is X.190, composed by Aghamarsan Visvamitra; and the only other verse to which the Anukramanis assign the same subject is I.24.1, composed by Sunahsepa Ajigarti (Visvamitra).

d. Visvamitra is traditionally associated with creation.

The epics relate the story of Trishanku, in which Visvamitra sets out to teach the Gods a lesson by creating a parallel universe. He finally desists only when the Gods plead with him and accede to his demand. But, even today, duplicate objects in nature are called Visvamitra-srsti or Visvamitras creations.

e. Narayan is a Visvamitra gotra; and the hymn by Narayan, who is not given any patronymic, is placed immediately after a hymn by a Visvamitra: Renu Visvamitra (X.89).

Family 7: Vashishths (23 hymns) :

1. Suvedas Sairisi (1 hymn): X. 147 Sairisi is a Vashishth gotra.

2. Vamra Vaikhanasa (1 hymn): X.99

a. The word Sianadev (X.99.3) is found only once outside this hymn in VII.21.5, composed by Vashishth Maitravaruni.

The word Sisna by itself occurs only thrice in the Rigved, once in a hymn by a Vashishth, Vasukra Aindra (X.27.19), and once in a hymn by a Vashishth associate, Kuts Angiras (1.105.8). The third occurence, in X.33.3, is in a hymn by a Rishi whose family cannot be identified.

b. The only hymn which has a repetition in common with this hymn is X.20, composed by a Vashishth, Vimada Aindra: X.99.12: X.20.10 Isamurjam suksitim visvamabhah.

3. Manyu Tapasa (2 hymns): X.83-84

a. Manyu Tapasa is identifiable with Manyu Vashishth (Joint composer of IX.97).

b. Tapasa, an epithet signifying heat or passion, has an added symbolic significance in this case: Tapa is a Vashishth gotra.

c. The word Manyu is translated, by Griffith, as a name in only one other hymn, X.73.10, composed by Gauriviti Saktya, a Vashishth.

4. Pururavas Aila and Urvasi (1 hymn): X.95.

a. Verse 17 of the hymn clearly declares: I, Vashishth, call Urvashi to meet me. The name Vashishth is translated by Griffith as her best love.

b. Outside this hymn, the word Urvashi occurs only twice throughout the Rigved: once in a hymn by an Atri (V.41.19), where it is an epithet for a deified river; and once in a hymn by a Vashishth (VII.33.11) where Urvashi is referred to as the mother of Vashishth.

5. Aindras (18 hymns): X.20-29, 38, 65-66, 86, 96 (Joint), 103, 119, 180

Vimada Aindra and Vasukrta Vasukra: X.20-26

Vasukra Aindra: X.27-29

Indra Muskavan: X.38

Vasukarna Vasukra: X.65-66

Vrsakapi Aindra: X.86

Sarvahari Aindra: X.96 (Joint)

Apratiratha Aindra: X.103

Laba Aindra:X. 119

Jaya Aindra: X.180

a. The only hymns, other than X.38, in which Indra is named as composer, are hymns in which the God Indra is depicted as speaking in the first person. But X.38 does not depict Indra speaking in the first person, and it is clear that Indra here is the name of the composer, who is the patriarch of the Aindra group of Rishis in Mandala X.

b. Indra is a Vashishth gotra.

c. Indra Muskavan is identifiable with Indrapramati Vashishth (Joint composer of IX.97).

d. The word muska (X.38.5), which gives the Rishi his epithet Muskavan, is found only once outside this hymn, in X. 102.4, composed by a Bharat.

The Bharats are very closely associated with the Angirases and Vashishths.

e. X.38.5 refers to the Rishi Kutsa. The Kutsas are very close associates of the Vashishths: the only reference to Kutsas by non-Kutsas are in hymns by Vashishth (VII.25.5; X.29.2); the only references to Vashishth by a non-Vashishth is in a hymn by a Kutsa (I.112.9); and the only hymn in which a Kutsa figures as a Joint composer is IX.97, which is Jointly attributed to eleven Vashishth Rishis (including Indrapramati) and a Kutsa.

f. Vasukra Aindra is identifiable with Vasukri Vashishth (Joint composer of IX.97).

g. Vasukarn Vasukra calls himself a Vashishth (in X.65.15), and, in verse 12 of the same hymn, he refers to Vimad (Aindra).

h. Jaya is a Vashishth gotra

i. All the four other hymns (including the Joint hymn) have repetitions in common with Vashishths or their associates :

X.86.5: VII.104.7 (Vashishth Maitravaruni)

X.103.4: VII.32.11 (Vashishth Maitravaruni)

X. 119.13: X. 150.1 (Mrlika Vashishth): III.9.6. (Visvamitra Gathina).

X.96.13: I.104.9 (Kutsa Angiras)

X.96.2: I.9.10 (Madhucchandas Visvamitra):

X.133.1 (Sudas Paijavan).

Apart from these, the four hymns have only two other repetitions (one of which is in common with a Visvamitra).

Family 10: Bhrgus (11 hymns) :

1. Yamayanas (11 hymns): X.10, 13-19, 135, 144, 154 Yam Vaivasvat and Yami Vaivasvati: X.10

Vivasvan Aditya: X.13

Yam Vaivasvat: X.14

Sankh Yamyan: X.15

Daman Yamyan: X.16

Devshravas Yamyan: X. 17

Sankhsuk Yamyan: X.18

Mathita Yamyan: X.19

Kumara Yamyan: X.135

Urdhvakrsan Yamyan: X.144

Yami Vaivasvati: X.154

a. Yamyan or Yamyan is a Bhrgu gotra.

b. Mathita is also a Bhrgu gotra.

c. The alternative names given in the Anukramanis for the composer of X.19, Mathita Yamyan, are Bhrgu or Cyavan Bhargav.

d. Yam is mentioned alongwith ancient, mythical Bhrgu Rishis, Atharvn and Usan Kavya in I.83.5.

e. Hymn X.14.5 states: Our fathers are Angirases, Navagvas, Atharvans, Bhrgus. Bhrgu hymns in Mandalas IX and X often identify with both Angirases and Bhrgus (see, for example, IX. 62.9, and the comment on it in Griffiths footnotes).

f. All the above hymns deal with the topics of funerals and death. Tradition ascribes the initiation of funeral rites and ceremonies to Jamadagni Bhargav.

The family identities of the other composers of Mandala X are either obvious from their patronymics, or known from the gotra lists, or else unidentifiable.