Sukta 57
Mandala 8Sukta 574 Mantras

Sukta 57

Sukta 8.57

Devata

Aśvins (Nāsatyas)

This short hymn is an invitatory to the Aśvins (Nāsatyas) to arrive in their powerful chariot and drink the “third pressing” of Soma. It praises their admirable deeds across heaven and earth, affirms that their allotted share is prepared, and asks them to protect and prosper the sacrificer through their efficacious powers (śacī).

Mantras

Mantra 1

युवं देवा क्रतुना पूर्व्येण युक्ता रथेन तविषं यजत्रा । आगच्छतं नासत्या शचीभिरिदं तृतीयं सवनं पिबाथः ॥

O you two divine Ones, with your ancient will of effective knowledge, yoked to your chariot of force, come here, O Nāsatyas, by your powers of accomplishment; drink this third pressing of Soma.

Mantra 2

युवां देवास्त्रय एकादशासः सत्याः सत्यस्य ददृशे पुरस्तात् । अस्माकं यज्ञं सवनं जुषाणा पातं सोममश्विना दीद्यग्नी ॥

You two are the gods—three and eleven—true, seen in front of the Truth itself. Accepting our sacrifice and this Soma-pressing, drink the Soma, O Aśvins, you who blaze with fire.

Mantra 3

पनाय्यं तदश्विना कृतं वां वृषभो दिवो रजसः पृथिव्याः । सहस्रं शंसा उत ये गविष्टौ सर्वाँ इत्ताँ उप याता पिबध्यै ॥

Admirable is that work you two have done, O Aśvins—bull-like in the heaven’s wideness and on the earth. A thousand praises, and those that seek the Rays: come near to all of them, indeed, for the drinking of Soma.

Mantra 4

अयं वां भागो निहितो यजत्रेमा गिरो नासत्योप यातम् । पिबतं सोमं मधुमन्तमस्मे प्र दाश्वांसमवतं शचीभिः ॥

This portion is set down for you two, O worthy ones; to these songs, O Nāsatyas, come near. Drink the Soma rich in sweetness within us, and by your powers of accomplishment uphold the giver who offers.

Frequently Asked Questions

They are twin Vedic deities known for swift help, healing, and rescue. The hymn calls them to arrive in their chariot and accept Soma and praise.

In Soma ritual there are multiple pressings during the day. This sukta specifically invites the Aśvins to drink the Soma prepared for the third pressing (tṛtīya savana).

Besides asking them to drink the sweet Soma, the hymn asks the Aśvins to uphold and protect the sacrificer—the person who offers and gives—through their effective powers (śacī).