The tenth mandala of the Rigveda has 191 hymns. Together with Mandala 1, it forms the latest part of the Rigveda, containing much mythological material, including the Purusha sukta and the dialogue of Sarama with the Panis, and notably containing several dialogue hymns. The subjects of the hymns cover a wider spectrum than in the other books, dedicated not only to deities or natural phenomena, including deities that are not prominent enough to receive their own hymns in the other books, but also to objects like dice, herbs, press-stones and abstract concepts like liberality, creation, knowledge, speech, spirit, faith, a charm against evil dreams. 10.15, dedicated to the forefathers, contains a reference to the emerging rite of cremationin verse 14, where ancestors "both cremated and uncremated " are invoked. 10.47 to 50 are to Indra Vaikuntha, "Indra son of Vikuntha". Vikuntha was an Asuri whom Indra had allowed to become his second mother. The rishi of 10.47 is called Saptagu, while that of 10.48-50 is likewise called Indra Vaikuntha. 10.85 is a marriage hymn, evoking the marriage of Suryā, daughter of Surya, another form of Ushas, the prototypical bride. RV 10.121 is another hymn dealing with creation, containing elements of monotheism. It has a recurring pada "what God shall we adore with our oblation?", in verse 1 named Hiranyagarbha "the golden egg", later a name of Brahma, in verse 10 addressed as Prajapati. 10.129 and 130 are creation hymns, probably the best known Rigvedic hymns in the west, especially 10.129.7: These hymns exhibit a level of philosophical speculation very atypical of the Rigveda, which for the most part is occupied with ritualistic invocation. 10.145 is attributed to Indrani. It is a spell for a jealous wife to get rid of more favoured rival. Atypical of the Rigveda, similar spells are found in the Atharvaveda. 10.154 is a funeral hymn, asking for that the departed may join those who attained heaven through tapas. Padas 1 cd is reminiscent of the Norse concept of Valhalla: 10.155 is against the "one-eyed limping hag" Arayi. 10.166, attributed to Anila, is a spell for the destruction of rivals, similar to 10.145, but this time to be uttered by men who want to be rid of male rivals. 10.173 and 174 are benedictions of a newly elected king. The rishis of the 10th Mandala are divided into Shudrasuktas and Mahasuktas, that is, sages who have composed "small" vs. "great" hymns.
