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).
Inside Sukta 41
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The hymn opens by announcing the arrival of a much-invoked, hymn-worthy chariot—linked to the dawn’s awakening and the call to Uṣas.
- Development
It shifts to the Aśvins: they are urged to mount at dawn and travel in a honey-bearing chariot among peoples and ardent sacrificers, enriching the rite for the poet as well.
- Climax
The peak request is the direct summons: whenever the pressings are underway—whether led by Adhvaryu or Agnīdh—‘come here’ to drink the honeyed offering.
- Where it settles
The hymn resolves by anchoring divine arrival to ritual order: the gods are welcomed to the savanas, ensuring the sacrifice’s sweetness, efficacy, and awakened momentum.
The deity: Uṣas and Aśvinau
- In the VedaUṣas is celebrated as the luminous Dawns who ‘dawn out’ and set beings in motion, often pictured with a chariot and the power to awaken. The Aśvins, the youthful twin horsemen, arrive at dawn in a honey-bearing chariot, moving among peoples and sacrificers, strengthening the rite and bringing help and refreshment.
- Cosmic functionUṣas opens the day, reveals forms, and initiates activity; the Aśvins preside over the liminal dawn-moment, swift rescue, healing, and the successful beginning of undertakings—especially the morning Soma service.
- Inner significanceUṣas signifies the arising of awareness—clarity, renewal, and the awakening of intention. The Aśvins signify quickened faculties and timely assistance: the mind’s ‘swift twins’ that harness energy at the right moment and make the offering fruitful.
The seer
- AnonymusRepresentative of the late (10th maṇḍala) poet-priests whose hymns emphasize ritual timing (dawn/pressings) and the gods’ chariot-journeys rather than a named family lineage.
Famous verses
rathaṃ tricakraṃ
prātaryāvāṇam madhuvāhanaṃ ratham
ā yātaṃ madhupeyam
Attributes of the deity
- Dawn-time epiphany (vyuṣṭi)
- Chariot imagery (ratha) and swift arrival
- Three-wheeled chariot motif (tricakra) as ordered movement
- Honey/sweetness (madhu) as delight and Soma’s essence
- Aid to singers and sacrificers (kīra, yajvānaḥ)
- Ritual punctuality: coming to the savanas (pressings)
Also by this seer
- No secure additional hymns can be attributed with certainty due to the anonymous ascription of this piece.
The rite, step by step
- At first light, prepare the ritual ground and kindle/maintain Agni for the morning rite.
- Commence the morning Soma-pressing (prātaḥ-savana) and recite praise to mark the gods’ approach.
- Invoke Uṣas with well-formed hymns, asking for awakening and auspicious opening of the day.
- Invite the Aśvins to ‘mount’ and come on their honey-bearing chariot to the pressings.
- Acknowledge the officiants (Adhvaryu, Agnīdh) and the inspired priest’s role, then request the Aśvins to partake of the sweet offering.
Offerings
- Soma (especially the morning pressing)
- Madhu/sweet libation imagery (honeyed drink; Soma as ‘honey’)
- Hymns/praise (uktha, suvṛkti) as verbal 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.
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