Rig Veda Sukta 158
Mandala 1Sukta 1586 Mantras

Sukta 158

Sukta 1.158

Devata

Aśvins (with Rudra-like epithets; hymn addressed to the twin powers)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Dieser kurze Hymnus aus dem Dīrghatamas‑Zyklus ruft die Zwillingsmächte an, die mit den Aśvins identifiziert werden und mit rudraartigen Epitheta als leuchtende, kraftvolle und vielgesinnte Helfer gepriesen sind. Von der Lobrede zur Schutzbitte übergehend, wird erbeten, dass das „geflügelte“ Paar den Verehrer nicht aussauge oder zerstreue; er gipfelt in einer selbstbezüglichen Aussage, in der der brahman (heilige Rede/Einsicht) zum Wagenlenker wird, der die Suchenden zu den Wassern (Āpas) führt, dem verborgenen Ziel der Suche.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.158

Mantras

Mantra 1

वसू रुद्रा पुरुमन्तू वृधन्ता दशस्यतं नो वृषणावभिष्टौ । दस्रा ह यद्रेक्ण औचथ्यो वां प्र यत्सस्राथे अकवाभिरूती ॥

O Rudras, ihr Leuchtenden, Vielgesinnten, an Kräften Wachsenden—seid unseres Lobpreises würdig, ihr Starken, in eurer Nähe. O Wundertäter, wenn im Hymnus von euren Reichtümern gesprochen wird, möge eure Hilfe zu uns ausströmen mit unfehlbarem Schutz.

Mantra 2

को वां दाशत्सुमतये चिदस्यै वसू यद्धेथे नमसा पदे गोः । जिगृतमस्मे रेवतीः पुरंधीः कामप्रेणेव मनसा चरन्ता ॥

Wer wird euch eine Gabe darbringen für diese eure heitere Gunst, o Glänzende—da ihr (eure Gnade) durch Verehrung an der Spur der Kuh (des Lichtstrahls) festsetzt? Richtet für uns die reichen Erfüllungen auf, die im Geist wandeln wie der Vorstoß des Begehrens, damit unser Erkennen reich werde.

Mantra 3

युक्तो ह यद्वां तौग्र्याय पेरुर्वि मध्ये अर्णसो धायि पज्रः । उप वामवः शरणं गमेयं शूरो नाज्म पतयद्भिरेवैः ॥

Als euer angeschirrtes Gefährt (eure Kraft) den Sohn des Tugra trug und Pajra mitten in der Flut eingesetzt wurde—da möge ich zu eurer Hilfe gelangen wie zu einer Zuflucht, wie ein Held, der auf der Bahn dahinjagt mit fliegenden Rossen (Energien).

Mantra 4

उपस्तुतिरौचथ्यमुरुष्येन्मा मामिमे पतत्रिणी वि दुग्धाम् । मा मामेधो दशतयश्चितो धाक्प्र यद्वां बद्धस्त्मनि खादति क्षाम् ॥

Möge der aufrüttelnde Lobgesang und das lichtvolle Wort sich ausweiten, um mich zu schützen; mögen mich diese beiden geflügelten Mächte nicht auseinandertränken. Mögen mich nicht Brennholz und das zehnfach geschichtete Feuer verzehren, wenn das in sich selbst Gebundene hervortritt und in die Erdsubstanz hineinfrisst.

Mantra 5

न मा गरन्नद्यो मातृतमा दासा यदीं सुसमुब्धमवाधुः । शिरो यदस्य त्रैतनो वितक्षत्स्वयं दास उरो अंसावपि ग्ध ॥

Nicht verschlangen mich die Flüsse, die allermütterlichsten, als die Dāsas ihn, im Strom wohlgebunden, hinabwarfen. Als Traitana ihm das Haupt abhieb, da klammerte sich der Dāsa selbst an Brust und Schultern.

Mantra 6

दीर्घतमा मामतेयो जुजुर्वान्दशमे युगे । अपामर्थं यतीनां ब्रह्मा भवति सारथिः ॥

Dīrghatamas, Sohn der Mamata, reifte im zehnten Zeitalter; für das Suchen der Sucher nach den Wassern wird der Brahman zum Wagenlenker.

Inside Sukta 158

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by praising the Twins as bright, powerful ‘Rudras,’ asking them to be worthy of reverence and near at hand with protection.

  2. Development

    It develops the idea that the hymn’s spoken praise should release their riches and unfailing aid, then turns inward to a protective plea against being ‘drained apart’ by the paired ‘winged’ forces and against consuming, uncontrolled fire imagery.

  3. Climax

    The peak is the shift from external divine help to an inner technology: brahman (mantric insight) taking the role of ‘sārathi’—the charioteer—directing the seeker toward the Waters, the hidden objective.

  4. Where it settles

    It concludes with the seer’s self-identification (Dīrghatamas Māmateya) and the assurance that disciplined sacred speech can guide the quest safely, integrating protection with spiritual direction.

The deity: Aśvins

  • In the VedaThe Aśvins are the divine Twins—swift, youthful, radiant helpers—often arriving at dawn in a chariot, bringing healing, rescue, and timely aid. Here they are addressed as ‘Rudras’ (fierce/strong powers), ‘vṛṣaṇau’ (vigorous/bull-like), and ‘dasrā’ (wonder-workers), emphasizing protective force as well as beneficence.
  • Cosmic functionThey mediate transitions—night to dawn, danger to safety, sickness to wholeness—carrying the seeker across liminal states; in this hymn they also function as twin movements that convey the hymn’s riches and protection toward the worshipper and the quest toward the Waters.
  • Inner significanceThe Twins can be read as paired faculties (inspiration and articulation; breath and mind; intuition and discernment) that must work together so the practitioner is not ‘drained apart.’ The closing idea of brahman as ‘charioteer’ points to disciplined mantra-consciousness steering the seeker toward the deep, cleansing source (Āpas).

The seer

  • Dīrghatamas Āucathya (traditional attribution)Āucathya; Māmateya (son of Mamatā) · A visionary poet famed for enigmatic, symbolic hymns on cosmic order, speech, and the hidden meanings of ritual; often speaks in riddling images and self-referential frames.

Famous verses

"vasū rudrā" / "akavābhir ūtī"
Verse 1.158.1Sets the tone by addressing the Aśvins as strong, Rudra-like twin powers and explicitly asks that their help and ‘unerring protection’ flow toward the worshipper when their riches are praised.Read verse 1.158.1 →
उपस्तुतिरौचथ्यमुरुष्येन्मा मामिमे पतत्रिणी वि दुग्धाम् । मा मामेधो दशतयश्चितो धाक्प्र यद्वां बद्धस्त्मनि खादति क्षाम् ॥
Verse 1.158.4Central protective verse: the poet asks that the chant and inspired utterance widen to guard him, and that the ‘two winged’ powers not drain him apart—an important clue to the hymn’s allegorical, inner reading.Read verse 1.158.4 →
"brahmā bhavati sārathiḥ"
Verse 1.158.6Concluding revelation and signature: Dīrghatamas names himself and states that for the seekers’ quest of the Waters, brahman becomes the charioteer—linking mantra, guidance, and the mystical ‘Waters’ goal.Read verse 1.158.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin deities; swift and ‘winged’ imagery
  • Healers and rescuers; bring protection (ūtī)
  • Radiant, youthful, dawn-associated
  • Wonder-working (dasrā) and generous with riches
  • Fierce-strength aspect via Rudra-like epithets
  • Guides across thresholds and dangers

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda 1.140–1.164 (Dīrghatamas corpus, including the celebrated riddle-hymn RV 1.164)
  • Tradition connects his poetry with deep reflections on Vāc (speech), Ṛta (cosmic order), and the ‘Waters’ as a mystical goal

The rite, step by step

  • Purification (ācamana) and lighting/rekindling the household fire (if in a śrauta/gṛhya setting).
  • Opening praise naming the Twins with their strong epithets (rudrā, vṛṣaṇau, dasrā) and inviting their nearness (abhiṣṭi).
  • Recitation of the hymn with a deliberate emphasis on ‘ūtī’ (protection) and the request that their help ‘flow out’ toward the sacrificer.
  • Protective petition: verbally warding off ‘draining apart’ and destructive fire imagery—interpreted as preventing dissipation, conflict of faculties, or uncontrolled energies.
  • Concluding resolve: contemplation on brahman as the charioteer guiding the quest toward the Waters (inner recollection/meditation after recitation).
  • Closing oblation and quiet sitting, dedicating the merit to right-going movement (ṛta) and safe guidance.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • Milk or soma-substitute offerings where appropriate (Aśvin-friendly dairy offerings are traditional)
  • Water libation (āpo) as a symbolic completion aligned with the hymn’s ‘Waters’ motif

Frequently Asked Questions

Tradition attributes RV 1.158 to Dīrghatamas Āucathya, also called Māmateya (“son of Mamatā”). The last verse names him directly.

Here “Rudras” highlights their fierce, protective strength rather than changing the deity. The hymn praises the Twins as powerful guardians who can ward off harm and bring timely help.

It means sacred utterance and insight (brahman) can actively steer the seeker—like a charioteer—toward the “Waters,” a Vedic symbol for deep nourishment, purification, and the hidden source of life and knowledge.

Ask anything about Sukta 158 of the Rig Veda

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