Rig Veda Sukta 72
Mandala 7Sukta 725 Mantras

Sukta 72

Sukta 7.72

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Chandas

Jagatī (often in RV 7.72; this verse has a longer cadence consistent with Jagatī tendencies)

Dieser kurze Hymnus des Vasiṣṭha ruft die Aśvinau (Nāsatyā) an, rasch in ihrem strahlenden Wagen herbeizukommen, umgeben von ihren angespannten Kräften, und Schönheit, Schutz und Gedeihen zu bringen. Ihr Kommen wird mit dem Erwachen des Lobpreises und mit Uṣas (der Morgenröte) verknüpft und gipfelt in einem universalen Ruf, dass die Zwillinge den Verehrer von allen Seiten mit svasti (Wohlergehen) behüten mögen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.72

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • AshvinauAśvinau (Nāsatyā)

    The Aśvins are youthful divine Twins, swift riders of a bright chariot, bringers of help in distress, healers, and rescuers who respond quickly to the call of praise, often arriving at dawn alongside Uṣas.

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ गोमता नासत्या रथेनाश्वावता पुरुश्चन्द्रेण यातम् । अभि वां विश्वा नियुतः सचन्ते स्पार्हया श्रिया तन्वा शुभाना ॥

Kommt her, o Nāsatyas, auf dem Wagen, reich an lichtvollen Herden und starken Rossen, strahlend in vielerlei Glanz. All eure angeschirrten Kräfte sammeln sich um euch; am eigenen Leib leuchtend, in begehrenswerter Schönheit, kommt ihr heran.

Mantra 2

आ नो देवेभिरुप यातमर्वाक्सजोषसा नासत्या रथेन । युवोर्हि नः सख्या पित्र्याणि समानो बन्धुरुत तस्य वित्तम् ॥

Kommt zu uns heran, mit den Göttern, o Nāsatyas, einmütig auf eurem Wagen. Denn bei euch ist unsere väterliche, ererbte Freundschaft; ein Band ist es, und ihr kennt die Wahrheit dieser Verwandtschaft.

Mantra 3

उदु स्तोमासो अश्विनोरबुध्रञ्जामि ब्रह्माण्युषसश्च देवीः । आविवासन्रोदसी धिष्ण्येमे अच्छा विप्रो नासत्या विवक्ति ॥

Auf sind die Loblieder für die Aśvins erwacht, und die vertrauten heiligen Formeln, und die Göttin Uṣas, die Morgenröte. Diese beiden Welten sind zur Verehrung bereitet; der inspirierte Seher lenkt den Ruf zu den Nāsatyas.

Mantra 4

वि चेदुच्छन्त्यश्विना उषासः प्र वां ब्रह्माणि कारवो भरन्ते । ऊर्ध्वं भानुं सविता देवो अश्रेद्बृहदग्नयः समिधा जरन्ते ॥

Wenn die Uṣās aufleuchten, o Aśvins, bringen euch die Sänger die heiligen Worte, die Brahman. Savitṛ hat den Lichtstrahl hoch emporgehoben, und die großen Feuer, durch Samidhā (Anzündholz) genährt, lodern aufwärts.

Mantra 5

आ पश्चातान्नासत्या पुरस्तादाश्विना यातमधरादुदक्तात् । आ विश्वतः पाञ्चजन्येन राया यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

Von hinten und von vorn, o Nāsatyas; von unten und von oben, o Aśvins, kommt zu uns. Von allen Seiten, mit dem Reichtum, der dem fünffachen Menschengeschlecht dient, behütet uns immerdar mit heilsamen Svastis.

Inside Sukta 72

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct invitation: the Nāsatyā are called to come in a splendid chariot rich in cattle and horses, radiant with desirable beauty (śrī).

  2. Development

    Their powers (niyutaḥ) gather; praise and sacred speech awaken, and Uṣas is implicitly present—framing the Aśvins as responders at the moment of awakening and readiness of the worlds.

  3. Climax

    The seer’s inspired call (vipra) aims straight toward the Nāsatyā as the cosmos becomes fit for worship—linking human hymn and cosmic dawn into one movement.

  4. Where it settles

    A comprehensive protective petition: from behind/front, below/above, and from every side, may the Aśvins come with fivefold-sustaining wealth and guard us always with svasti.

The deity: Aśvinau

  • Cosmic functionThey mediate between night and day and between gods and humans, restoring wholeness (health, sight, vitality), ensuring safe passage, and setting auspiciousness in motion at liminal times.
  • Inner significanceThey symbolize the twin powers of swift intuition and skillful action that ‘arrive’ when the mind awakens—healing inner fragmentation, bringing clarity at transitions, and establishing confidence (svasti) from all sides.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āditya/solar-aligned seer lineage; traditional association with the Vasiṣṭhas of the Rig Veda) · Foremost among the Seven Ṛṣis, celebrated for luminous brahma (inspired utterance), royal counsel, and hymns that blend ritual precision with inner devotion; a principal seer of Maṇḍala 7.

Famous verses

spārhayā śriyā tanvā śubhānā
Verse 7.72.1Sets the hymn’s tone with a vivid epiphany of the Aśvins’ radiant arrival—chariot, steeds, gathered powers, and embodied beauty—establishing them as swift benefactors.Read verse 7.72.1 →
उदु स्तोमासो अश्विनोरबुध्रञ्जामि ब्रह्माण्युषसश्च देवीः । आविवासन्रोदसी धिष्ण्येमे अच्छा विप्रो नासत्या विवक्ति ॥
Verse 7.72.3Connects the Aśvins’ advent to awakening: hymns rise, Dawn is present, and the two worlds are readied for adoration—highlighting the dawn-liminal character of Aśvin worship.Read verse 7.72.3 →
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Verse 7.72.5A strong directional (sarvato) invocation and protection formula, asking the Twins to come from all quarters and guard with svasti—often the practical takeaway of the sūkta.Read verse 7.72.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Divine Twins (dual yet harmonious)
  • Swift chariot and strong steeds
  • Healers and restorers (bhaiṣajyā)
  • Rescuers and protectors in danger
  • Associated with dawn/awakening (Uṣas)
  • Bestowers of wealth and auspicious well-being (svasti)

Also by this seer

  • Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (numerous sūktas attributed to the Vasiṣṭhas)
  • Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and the Maruts within RV 7
  • Traditional association with Vasiṣṭha’s role in Vedic priesthood (purohita) and dharmic counsel in later Itihāsa-Purāṇa memory

The rite, step by step

  • Purification and orientation to the quarters (dik-bandhana), preparing a protected ritual space
  • Lighting/attending the household or āhavanīya fire; settling the mind into morning clarity
  • Recite RV 7.72 with an explicit āhvāna (invitation) to the Aśvins’ chariot from all directions
  • State the personal intent: healing, protection, safe travel, prosperity, and ‘svasti’ for the household/community
  • Conclude with a short śānti/svasti formula and circumambulation or silent gratitude

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into fire
  • Milk/curds or simple sweet offering (symbolic of nourishment and healing)
  • Soma-analogue offering where appropriate (ritual context-dependent)
  • Water libation and flowers (later customary adjuncts)

Frequently Asked Questions

They are the divine Twin horsemen, famous in the Rig Veda for swift help, healing, rescue, and bringing auspicious well-being—often arriving at dawn.

The hymn invites the Aśvins to come quickly and beautifully, bring prosperity, and protect the worshipper from every direction with svasti (well-being and safety).

Because the Aśvins are especially connected with the liminal time of dawn; the hymn describes praise and sacred speech ‘waking up’ as the worlds become ready for worship.

Ask anything about Sukta 72 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play