Rig Veda Sukta 69
Mandala 7Sukta 698 Mantras

Sukta 69

Sukta 7.69

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (Maṇḍala 7)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (high probability; hymn-opening invocation style)

Dieser Hymnus ist Vasiṣṭhas Anrufung der Morgenröte an die Aśvinau: Er ruft ihren goldenen Wagen, von dem gesagt wird, er spanne Himmel und Erde zusammen, auf, schnell auf dem geradesten Weg herbeizukommen. Er preist ihren strahlenden, gheehellen Lauf und bittet sie, in das Opfer einzutreten und Frieden, Wohlergehen, Schätze sowie die Stärkung von Sehern und Gönnern zu bringen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.69

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • AshvinauAśvinau

    Twin youthful gods, swift as thought, travelling in a radiant chariot drawn by strong horses; they are invoked at dawn as rescuers, healers, and bringers of boons who respond quickly to calls.

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ वां रथो रोदसी बद्बधानो हिरण्ययो वृषभिर्यात्वश्वैः । घृतवर्तनिः पविभी रुचान इषां वोळ्हा नृपतिर्वाजिनीवान् ॥

Herbei komme euer Wagen, der Himmel und Erde zusammenbindet, golden, von starken Hengsten gezogen, schnell an Rossen; mit Bahnen aus Ghṛta, leuchtend an seinen scharfen Felgen, — Träger des Antriebs (iṣā), Herr des menschlichen Weges, reich an sieghafter Kraft.

Mantra 2

स पप्रथानो अभि पञ्च भूमा त्रिवन्धुरो मनसा यातु युक्तः । विशो येन गच्छथो देवयन्तीः कुत्रा चिद्याममश्विना दधाना ॥

Möge jener Wagen, weit ausgebreitet über die fünf Bereiche, dreisitzig, vom Geist angespannt, dahinfahren. Mit ihm geht ihr zu den Stämmen, die nach dem Göttlichen verlangen; wo immer ihr euren Gang hinsetzt, o Aśvins, dort werdet ihr gegenwärtig.

Mantra 3

स्वश्वा यशसा यातमर्वाग्दस्रा निधिं मधुमन्तं पिबाथः । वि वां रथो वध्वा यादमानोऽन्तान्दिवो बाधते वर्तनिभ्याम् ॥

Kommt her mit euren guten Rossen, ihr ruhmreichen Mächtigen (Dasrā), und trinkt den honigsüßen Schatz. Euer Wagen, der mit der Braut — der verbindenden Kraft — dahinfährt, sprengt mit seinen zwei Spuren die Enden des Himmels und bahnt den Aufstieg.

Mantra 4

युवोः श्रियं परि योषावृणीत सूरो दुहिता परितक्म्यायाम् । यद्देवयन्तमवथः शचीभिः परि घ्रंसमोमना वां वयो गात् ॥

Um euren Glanz erwählte sich die Jungfrau ihren Anteil – die Tochter der Sonne – in ihrem kreisenden Gang. Als ihr den Gottsuchenden mit euren wirksamen Kräften beistandet, da umging durch euren gnädigen Sinn eure Lebenskraft die brennende Glut und ging über sie hinaus.

Mantra 5

यो ह स्य वां रथिरा वस्त उस्रा रथो युजानः परियाति वर्तिः । तेन नः शं योरुषसो व्युष्टौ न्यश्विना वहतं यज्ञे अस्मिन् ॥

Jener euer Wagen, angespannt, zieht seine Runde an der Wohnstatt der leuchtenden Uṣas, der Morgenröten. Mit ihm bringt uns Frieden und weite Freude beim Aufbrechen der Dämmerung; o Aśvins, fahrt herab in dieses Opfer.

Mantra 6

नरा गौरेव विद्युतं तृषाणास्माकमद्य सवनोप यातम् । पुरुत्रा हि वां मतिभिर्हवन्ते मा वामन्ये नि यमन्देवयन्तः ॥

O Herren, wie der Blitzaufglanz des Stieres, dürstend, kommt heute zu unserer Pressung (des Soma). Denn viele rufen euch mit ihren Gedanken; mögen euch nicht andere Gottsucher von uns zurückhalten.

Mantra 7

युवं भुज्युमवविद्धं समुद्र उदूहथुरर्णसो अस्रिधानैः । पतत्रिभिरश्रमैरव्यथिभिर्दंसनाभिरश्विना पारयन्ता ॥

Ihr beiden, o Aśvins, habt Bhujyu, der in den Ozean hinabgeworfen war, emporgehoben; aus der Flut trugt ihr ihn mit euren unfehlbaren Stützen — mit geflügelten Kräften, die nicht ermüden und nicht wanken — und brachtet ihn hinüber durch eure Taten leuchtender Kunst.

Mantra 8

नू मे हवमा शृणुतं युवाना यासिष्टं वर्तिरश्विनाविरावत् । धत्तं रत्नानि जरतं च सूरीन्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

Nun hört meinen Ruf, o junge Aśvins; kommt auf dem geradesten Weg, reich an Fülle. Legt die Schätze in uns und hegt die ṛṣi, die im Werk heranwachsen; auch ihr behütet uns allezeit mit euren Kräften des Heils (svasti).

Inside Sukta 69

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A vivid summons: the golden chariot of the Aśvins is called to come, ‘binding’ Heaven and Earth and shining on ghee-bright tracks.

  2. Development

    The hymn links the Aśvins’ movement with the Dawns, describing their roaming course near Uṣas and their readiness to turn toward the sacrificer’s call.

  3. Climax

    A direct ritual request: ‘carry yourselves down into this sacrifice’ and grant peace and wide gladness at daybreak’s opening.

  4. Where it settles

    A final urgent appeal to hear the invocation, come by the most direct, abundance-rich path, bestow treasures, foster the seers, and protect always with svasti.

The deity: Aśvinau

  • Cosmic functionThey mediate the transition from night to day, restoring vitality, health, and order at the liminal hour; as divine physicians and helpers, they ‘set right’ what is broken and bring auspicious beginnings.
  • Inner significanceSymbolize the awakening of consciousness at dawn—quick discernment, timely help, healing integration of dualities, and the power to move from confusion to clarity by a ‘straight path’.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Āditya/Brāhmaṇa seer line; traditionally linked with the Vasiṣṭhas of Mandala 7) · Foremost seer of the Seventh Maṇḍala; celebrated as a master of sacred speech and royal priest (purohita) associated with Sudās and the Bharata tradition, and as a paradigmatic ṛṣi of dharma and spiritual insight.

Famous verses

ā vāṃ ratho rodasī badbadhānaḥ
Verse 7.69.1Programmatic opening image of the Aśvins’ golden chariot—cosmic in scope (‘binding’ Heaven and Earth) and ritually functional as a formal invitation to descend to the rite.Read verse 7.69.1 →
ny aśvinā vahataṃ yajñe asmin
Verse 7.69.5Connects the Aśvins to Uṣas and explicitly asks them to enter the sacrifice, making it central for liturgical use at dawn rites.Read verse 7.69.5 →
yūyam pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Verse 7.69.8Closing petition that combines immediacy (hear now), the ‘straightest path’ motif, bestowal of treasures, support of seers, and ongoing protection with svasti.Read verse 7.69.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin deities
  • Youthful (yuvānā)
  • Swift chariot-riders
  • Healers and restorers
  • Dawn-associated
  • Bestowers of wealth and well-being (ratna, svasti)
  • Protectors of worshippers and seers
  • Bringers of peace and gladness (śaṃ, yoḥ)

Also by this seer

  • Most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (many hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and others)
  • Vasiṣṭha-associated prayers for protection, kingship, and well-being (svasti) across Vedic ritual usage
  • Later tradition connects Vasiṣṭha with Vasiṣṭha Dharmasūtra and yogic/ethical teachings (smṛti/itihāsa lineage attribution)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; set the dawn-facing orientation (east).
  • Recite an opening invitation calling the Aśvins’ chariot to come swiftly (invocatory verse).
  • Praise their radiant course and their association with Uṣas (Dawn), affirming their readiness to arrive at the rite.
  • Request entry into the yajña, asking for śaṃ/yoḥ (peace and well-being) and strengthening of the worshippers.
  • Conclude with a direct plea to hear the call, come by the straight path (yāsiṣṭaṃ), bestow treasures, and guard with svasti.
  • Optionally follow with oblations and further Aśvin hymns as the rite proceeds.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ghṛta) oblations
  • Soma (where applicable in soma rites)
  • Milk/curds and sweet offerings (common in Aśvin contexts)
  • Grain-cakes/oblations according to śrauta procedure

Frequently Asked Questions

The Aśvins are twin youthful gods who arrive swiftly in a radiant chariot. In the Rig Veda they are famous as helpers and healers, especially invoked at dawn.

It asks them to come quickly by the straight path, enter the ongoing sacrifice, give peace and well-being, bestow treasures, and protect the worshippers continually.

Dawn is the Aśvins’ characteristic time of arrival. The hymn places their chariot’s movement near the ‘shining Dawns’ and uses daybreak as the moment for auspicious help and fresh beginnings.

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