Rig Veda Sukta 68
Mandala 7Sukta 689 Mantras

Sukta 68

Sukta 7.68

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Devata

Aśvinau

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Este himno es una invitación a los Aśvinau, los radiantes gemelos sanadores, para que lleguen con rapidez en sus propios corceles, acepten los mantras del poeta y ocupen su lugar en el sacrificio. Recuerda sus dones maravillosos, protectores de la vida (en especial su ayuda a Atri) y concluye pidiendo, al alba, bienestar constante, sustento y protección para el cantor y la comunidad.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.68

Mantras

Mantra 1

आ शुभ्रा यातमश्विना स्वश्वा गिरो दस्रा जुजुषाणा युवाकोः । हव्यानि च प्रतिभृता वीतं नः ॥

Venid, oh Aśvins radiantes, con vuestros propios corceles vigorosos; oh maravillosos (dasrā), aceptad los cantos del joven suplicante. Y, trayendo en retorno las ofrendas, tomaos asiento con nosotros en el reparto sacrificial.

Mantra 2

प्र वामन्धांसि मद्यान्यस्थुररं गन्तं हविषो वीतये मे । तिरो अर्यो हवनानि श्रुतं नः ॥

Ante vosotros están dispuestas las libaciones embriagadoras; venid con presteza a gozar de mi ofrenda. Oíd nuestro llamado aun más allá del lindero del extraño.

Mantra 3

प्र वां रथो मनोजवा इयर्ति तिरो रजांस्यश्विना शतोतिः । अस्मभ्यं सूर्यावसू इयानः ॥

Vuestro carro, veloz como el pensamiento, (el canto) lo pone en marcha; atraviesa las regiones del espacio, oh Aśvins de cien auxilios. Avanzando hacia nosotros, oh dadores de las riquezas del Sol.

Mantra 4

अयं ह यद्वां देवया उ अद्रिरूर्ध्वो विवक्ति सोमसुद्युवभ्याम् । आ वल्गू विप्रो ववृतीत हव्यैः ॥

Pues cuando la piedra de prensar, buscadora de los dioses, alzada en vertical, libera para vosotros dos el Soma, entonces el vidente, anhelante de lo bello, se vuelve hacia vosotros con sus ofrendas.

Mantra 5

चित्रं ह यद्वां भोजनं न्वस्ति न्यत्रये महिष्वन्तं युयोतम् । यो वामोमानं दधते प्रियः सन् ॥

Maravilloso, en verdad, es vuestro sustento, ahora aquí: lo dispusisteis para Atri, ahuyentando al poderoso opresor. Quien establece vuestra protección os llega a ser querido.

Mantra 6

उत त्यद्वां जुरते अश्विना भूच्च्यवानाय प्रतीत्यं हविर्दे । अधि यद्वर्प इतऊति धत्थः ॥

Y eso también llegó a ser crecimiento de vuestro poder, oh Aśvins: la ofrenda que despierta para Cyavāna el movimiento del retorno; pues, con la ayuda venida de aquí, le impusisteis la forma radiante.

Mantra 7

उत त्यं भुज्युमश्विना सखायो मध्ये जहुर्दुरेवासः समुद्रे । निरीं पर्षदरावा यो युवाकुः ॥

Y también a Bhujyu — a quien compañeros de mala morada abandonaron en medio del océano, en el mar — lo llevó a salvo la llamada de largo alcance del Joven. Así, oh Aśvines, sacáis el aliento‑alma de las aguas que engullen.

Mantra 8

वृकाय चिज्जसमानाय शक्तमुत श्रुतं शयवे हूयमाना । यावघ्न्यामपिन्वतमपो न स्तर्यं चिच्छक्त्यश्विना शचीभिः ॥

Aun frente al Lobo fuisteis fuerza para quien era consumido; y escuchasteis a Śayava cuando era invocado. Hicisteis henchir de leche a la Vaca inviolada — como aguas liberadas—; y con vuestros poderes eficaces, oh Aśvines, hicisteis posible incluso lo que parecía imposible.

Mantra 9

एष स्य कारुर्जरते सूक्तैरग्रे बुधान उषसां सुमन्मा । इषा तं वर्धदघ्न्या पयोभिर्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

Este cantor, en verdad, crece con himnos veraces, despertando al frente, con buena mente hacia las Auroras. Que la Vaca inviolada lo acreciente con la leche de la plenitud; y vosotros, oh Aśvines, guardadnos siempre con vuestras armonías de bienestar.

Inside Sukta 68

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct summons: the radiant Aśvinau are urged to come quickly, accept the youthful seeker’s hymns, and sit at the shared sacrifice (RV 7.68.1).

  2. Development

    Praise expands into remembrance of their marvel-working nourishment and protective interventions, including help rendered to Atri and the repulsion of oppressive forces (e.g., RV 7.68.5).

  3. Climax

    The hymn’s peak is the assurance that true hymns and awakened intention before the Dawns lead to growth—supported by fullness (iṣ) and the ‘inviolate cow’ with her milk, while the Aśvinau grant ongoing protection (RV 7.68.9).

  4. Where it settles

    It settles into a stable prayer for continuous svasti—harmonies of well-being—so that protection and increase remain with the worshippers always.

The deity: Aśvinau

  • In the VedaThe Aśvinau are youthful, radiant twin gods who ride swiftly in a chariot/with swift horses, arriving at dawn to hear hymns and partake of offerings. They are famed as rescuers and healers, bringing medicines, nourishment, and timely aid to afflicted seers and mortals.
  • Cosmic functionThey mediate the transition from night to day, opening the way for Uṣas (Dawn) and restoring vitality, health, and safe passage—especially in liminal moments (darkness to light, danger to safety).
  • Inner significanceSymbolically, they represent rapid-helping discernment and remedial grace: the twin powers that ‘arrive in time’—restoring balance, clearing oppression, and enabling the aspirant’s awakening and right orientation at the start of the day.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha (Vasiṣṭha-gotra); traditionally linked with the Maitrāvaruṇa priestly line · One of the foremost Rigvedic seers of Mandala 7, celebrated for profound, authoritative hymns and for shaping royal-sacrificial theology (especially around Varuṇa–Mitra, Agni, and Indra).

Famous verses

आ शुभ्रा यातमश्विना स्वश्वा गिरो दस्रा जुजुषाणा युवाकोः । हव्यानि च प्रतिभृता वीतं नः ॥
Verse 7.68.1Programmatic invitation: establishes the Aśvins’ radiance, swift arrival, acceptance of hymns, and their ritual seating—core elements of Aśvin worship.Read verse 7.68.1 →
चित्रं ह यद्वां भोजनं न्वस्ति न्यत्रये महिष्वन्तं युयोतम् । यो वामोमानं दधते प्रियः सन् ॥
Verse 7.68.5Highlights their ‘wondrous nourishment’ and a paradigmatic rescue motif connected with Atri, portraying the Aśvins as protectors who drive away oppressive power.Read verse 7.68.5 →
yūyam pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Verse 7.68.9Concluding synthesis: links right praise and dawn-awakening to growth and nourishment, then culminates in a direct plea for perpetual protection with svasti.Read verse 7.68.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin deities (dual form)
  • Swift-coming, dawn-associated
  • Healers and restorers
  • Protectors/rescuers in संकट (distress)
  • Acceptors of hymns and offerings
  • Wondrous beneficence (citra) and nourishment (bhojana)

Also by this seer

  • Primary seer of much of Rig Veda Mandala 7 (Vasiṣṭha Maṇḍala)
  • Major hymns to Agni, Indra, and Mitra–Varuṇa within Mandala 7
  • Later tradition associates him with Vasiṣṭha-dharma/śāstra materials and the Vasiṣṭha lineage in śrauta-smārta transmission (attributional, not Rigvedic authorship)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the fire and ritual space; orient the rite toward dawn (Uṣas).
  • Recite the invitatory verses calling the Aśvinau to come on their own steeds and ‘take the seat’ at the rite.
  • Offer oblations while praising their wondrous nourishment and their saving acts (e.g., aid to Atri).
  • Conclude with requests for svasti (well-being), protection, and increase of vitality/nourishment for the singer and household/community.

Offerings

  • Ghee/ājya oblations
  • Soma (where applicable in the larger rite)
  • Milk and milk-products as fitting, Aśvin-linked nourishment imagery
  • Food offerings (bhojana) in a general sense

Frequently Asked Questions

They are the twin Vedic gods who arrive swiftly at dawn, known for healing, rescue, and bringing timely help and nourishment to worshippers.

The poet asks the Aśvinau to come to the sacrifice, accept the hymns and offerings, and grant protection, well-being (svasti), and increase of vitality.

It recalls a traditional example of the Aśvinau’s saving power: they provide extraordinary support and drive away oppressive forces, showing why they are trusted as protectors and healers.

Ask anything about Sukta 68 of the Rig Veda

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