Stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) is used to populate a single rotational state in the first excited vibrational level of H 2 during a 10 ns laser pulse. We find that by using 532 nm radiation along with the backscattered Stokes beam, 683 nm, from a high-pressure H 2 cell (Raman shifter), we are able to efficiently vibrationally excite hydrogen molecules with moderate laser powers. The subsequent energy transfer to various internal states of a collision partner, H 2, HD, or D 2, is then state-selectively probed by coherent anti-Stokes Raman spectroscopy (CARS). We are able to excite 30 to 40% of the H 2(ν = 0, J = 1 ) into H 2(ν = 1, J = 1) within the probed focal volume defined by the intersection of the SRS laser beams and the CARS laser beams. We report our results on rotational relaxation of H 2(ν = 1, J = 1) in collisions with H 2 and with argon, which we compare, when available, with previous determinations of these relaxation rate constants. Additionally, we report the V-V energy transfer rate constants for vibrationally excited H 2 transferring energy collisionally to D 2 or HD. These rate constants have been previously discerned using indirect processes to populate and monitor the excited H 2 and have been estimated using semi-empirical theories. The results are of crucial importance for modeling of the kinetics of the H 2(ν = 1) + D reaction which has been investigated by us previously.