Sukta 41
Sukta 10.41
Uṣas (Dawn) (with chariot imagery possibly linked to a divine vehicle; devata explicitly uṣasaḥ in the verse)
This brief hymn invokes the dawn-time divine movement: the radiant coming of Uṣas with her emblematic chariot, and the swift approach of the Aśvins to the morning Soma-pressings. It frames dawn as the ritual threshold when inspired speech, orderly sacrifice, and the gods’ arrival converge, asking the deities to awaken and empower the rite and its singers.
Mantras
Mantra 1
समानमु त्यं पुरुहूतमुक्थ्यं रथं त्रिचक्रं सवना गनिग्मतम् । परिज्मानं विदथ्यं सुवृक्तिभिर्वयं व्युष्टा उषसो हवामहे ॥
That same much-invoked, hymn-worthy chariot with three wheels—moving to the pressings—has come. Circling, fit for the assembly, with well-woven words we call at the dawning-out the Ushases (Dawns) for the awakening.
Mantra 2
प्रातर्युजं नासत्याधि तिष्ठथः प्रातर्यावाणं मधुवाहनं रथम् । विशो येन गच्छथो यज्वरीर्नरा कीरेश्चिद्यज्ञं होतृमन्तमश्विना ॥
O Nāsatyas, mount at dawn the yoke that is ready for the early joining; mount the honey-bearing chariot that comes at dawn. By it you move among the peoples and the ardent offerers, O two strong ones; even for the singer you make the sacrifice rich in the power of the invoking Word, O Aśvins.
Mantra 3
अध्वर्युं वा मधुपाणिं सुहस्त्यमग्निधं वा धृतदक्षं दमूनसम् । विप्रस्य वा यत्सवनानि गच्छथोऽत आ यातं मधुपेयमश्विना ॥
Whether it is the Adhvaryu with honey in his hands and skill in his grasp, or the Agnīdh with firm capacity and right dwelling—whenever you go to the pressings of the inspired one, then come here, O Aśvins, to drink the honey (the delight of the offering).
Frequently Asked Questions
It touches both. The first verse explicitly calls the Dawns (Uṣasaḥ), while the next two verses directly invoke the Aśvins to arrive at dawn for the Soma-pressings.
It is a poetic way to say the Aśvins bring sweetness, delight, and quick help at dawn—especially the joy and potency of Soma offered in the morning rite.
They are key Vedic ritual priests. Naming them ties the prayer to the actual sacrificial setting, emphasizing that the gods should come whenever the pressings and offerings are properly underway.