Rig Veda Sukta 183
Mandala 1Sukta 1836 Mantras

Sukta 183

Sukta 1.183

Devata

Aśvinau

Dieser kurze Aśvin-Hymnus ruft die göttlichen Zwillingsheiler an, ihren wunderbaren Wagen anzuschirren – schnell wie der Gedanke – und sicher zur wohlbereiteten Wohnstatt des Opfernden zu gelangen. Der Dichter erbittet Schutz auf dem Weg, bietet ihnen ihren zugewiesenen Anteil dar und preist den Übergang aus der Finsternis ans fernere Ufer durch ihre Hilfe, indem er Nahrung, Beseitigung von Hindernissen und schnell schenkende Kraft begehrt.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.183

Mantras

Mantra 1

तं युञ्जाथां मनसो यो जवीयान्त्रिवन्धुरो वृषणा यस्त्रिचक्रः । येनोपयाथः सुकृतो दुरोणं त्रिधातुना पतथो विर्न पर्णैः ॥

Jochet jenen euren Wagen an, o Starken, schneller als der Geist, dreisitzig, dreirädrig – mit dem ihr zum wohlgefügten Haus gelangt; auf dreifacher Grundlage fliegt ihr auseinander wie Vögel mit Flügeln.

Mantra 2

सुवृद्रथो वर्तते यन्नभि क्षां यत्तिष्ठथः क्रतुमन्तानु पृक्षे । वपुर्वपुष्या सचतामियं गीर्दिवो दुहित्रोषसा सचेथे ॥

Euer wohlrollender Wagen bewegt sich über die Erde; wenn ihr euch hinstellt, folgt ihr, ihr Willensstarken, dem Besprengen und dem Anwachsen. Dieses Lied möge sich euch in eurer Schönheit zugesellen; o Uṣas, Tochter des Himmels, auch du gehst mit ihnen.

Mantra 3

आ तिष्ठतं सुवृतं यो रथो वामनु व्रतानि वर्तते हविष्मान् । येन नरा नासत्येषयध्यै वर्तिर्याथस्तनयाय त्मने च ॥

Besteigt den wohlgefügten Wagen, der euren Satzungen (vratá) folgt, reich an Opferkraft (havis). Mit ihm, o Helden, o Nāsatyas, fahrt ihr aus, den Antrieb zu erwecken – und bringt den wendenden Pfad für das Kind des Seienden und für das innere Selbst (ātman).

Mantra 4

मा वां वृको मा वृकीरा दधर्षीन्मा परि वर्क्तमुत माति धक्तम् । अयं वां भागो निहित इयं गीर्दस्राविमे वां निधयो मधूनाम् ॥

Nicht soll euch der Wolf, nicht sollen euch die Wölfinnen anfallen; niemand soll euch umringen, niemand einholen und versengen. Hier ist euer Anteil niedergelegt; hier ist das Lied, o Wundertäter (Dasrā); dies sind eure niedergelegten Schätze der Süße (madhu).

Mantra 5

युवां गोतमः पुरुमीळ्हो अत्रिर्दस्रा हवतेऽवसे हविष्मान् । दिशं न दिष्टामृजूयेव यन्ता मे हवं नासत्योप यातम् ॥

Euch beide ruft Gotama; Atri, der Vielgepriesene, ruft euch, o Wundertäter (Dasrā), zur Hilfe, mit Opferkraft (havis). Kommt zu meinem Ruf, wie man geradewegs zu einer gewiesenen Richtung geht; o Nāsatyas, naht heran.

Mantra 6

अतारिष्म तमसस्पारमस्य प्रति वां स्तोमो अश्विनावधायि । एह यातं पथिभिर्देवयानैर्विद्यामेषं वृजनं जीरदानुम् ॥

Wir sind über diese Finsternis hinübergegangen, an ihr fernes Ufer; euch ist als Antwort ein Lobgesang dargebracht, o Aśvins. Kommt her auf den göttergängigen Wegen, auf den Pfaden der Götter, damit wir diesen Antrieb der Fülle finden, die Lichtung der Hemmung und die schnell schenkende Kraft.

Inside Sukta 183

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    An urgent invitation: yoke the Aśvins’ chariot—faster than mind—and come to the worshiper’s prepared dwelling.

  2. Development

    The hymn blends vivid chariot imagery with practical concerns: safe travel, warding off threats, and placing before them their rightful share and sweet praise.

  3. Climax

    The turning point is the declaration of having crossed beyond darkness to its farther shore—an experiential victory attributed to Aśvin help.

  4. Where it settles

    A final call to come by the divine paths, so the community may gain nourishment, removal of obstruction, and quick, generous bestowal.

The deity: Aśvinau

  • In the VedaThe Aśvins are youthful twin gods who arrive at dawn in a radiant chariot, famed as rescuers, physicians, and bringers of boons. They are invoked to come quickly, protect the worshiper, and bestow sweetness (madhu), vitality, and successful passage through peril.
  • Cosmic functionThey mediate transitions—night to dawn, danger to safety, illness to health—guiding beings across liminal thresholds and restoring wholeness.
  • Inner significanceThe twin powers of prompt help and right guidance: the capacity to move from confusion (‘darkness’) to clarity, from blockage to flow, and from depletion to renewed energy.

The seer

  • Agastya (traditional attribution)Āgastya / Māna (Agastya’s family line; traditional Vedic attribution varies by śākhā) · A major Vedic seer associated with powerful hymns, especially to the Maruts and other deities; revered in later tradition as a southern-ranging ṛṣi and a master of tapas and mantra.

Famous verses

manaso yo javīyān (swifter than mind)
Verse 1.183.1Sets the signature imagery of this sukta: the Aśvins’ extraordinary chariot (swift as mind, triple-formed) and their rapid arrival to the sacrificer’s home—establishing the hymn’s tone of urgent invocation.Read verse 1.183.1 →
ayaṃ vām bhāgo nihita (here is your portion laid down)
Verse 1.183.4Expresses the protective petition and the ritual act of presenting the deity’s ‘portion’ (bhāga), linking praise, offering, and safeguarding on the way.Read verse 1.183.4 →
atāriṣma tamasas pāram asya (we have crossed to the farther shore of darkness)
Verse 1.183.6Provides the spiritual summit: crossing beyond darkness and calling the Aśvins by the devayāna paths for iṣa (nourishment) and the clearing of obstacles—capturing the hymn’s salvific intent.Read verse 1.183.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin divine helpers
  • Swift chariot-travelers
  • Healers and restorers
  • Rescuers in संकट (peril)
  • Associated with dawn and renewal
  • Bestowers of ‘madhu’ (sweetness, delight, sap)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Mandala 1 hymns in the Agastya cluster (traditional grouping around RV 1.165–1.191, with some variation)
  • Numerous hymns in Rig Veda Mandala 1 traditionally ascribed to Agastya, especially Marut-related compositions
  • Later Sanskrit tradition: Agastya as a prominent sage in Itihāsa-Purāṇa narratives (attributional, not Rigvedic)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the offering place and seat for the Aśvins (a welcoming ‘well-built home’ imagery).
  • Recite the opening verses inviting them to yoke their swift chariot and come by the deva-paths.
  • Offer their ‘bhāga’ (portion) with protective petitions for an unharmed approach.
  • Conclude with thanksgiving/affirmation for crossing beyond darkness and request for iṣa (nourishment), vṛjana (clearing), and jīradānu (swift-giving power).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Soma (where integrated into Soma liturgy)
  • Madhu / sweet drink offerings (symbolic ‘treasures of sweetness’)
  • Oblations into the fire (havis)

Frequently Asked Questions

The Aśvins are twin Vedic gods known for swift help, healing, and rescue. The hymn calls them to arrive quickly in their chariot and bless the worshiper with safety and vitality.

It means moving from a state of danger, confusion, or hardship into safety and clarity. The poet credits the Aśvins for enabling this passage and then asks for continued support and strength.

It fits best at dawn in morning recitations or offerings, especially where Aśvin praise is customary. The worshiper invites the twins, offers their portion, asks for protection, and seeks nourishment and obstacle-removal.

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