Sukta 69
Sukta 7.69
Vasiṣṭha (Maṇḍala 7)
Aśvinau
Triṣṭubh (high probability; hymn-opening invocation style)
This hymn is Vasiṣṭha’s dawn-invocation to the Aśvinau, calling their golden chariot—said to yoke Heaven and Earth—to arrive swiftly by the straightest path. It praises their radiant, ghee-bright course and asks them to enter the sacrifice bringing peace, well-being, treasures, and the strengthening of seers and patrons.
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ वां रथो रोदसी बद्बधानो हिरण्ययो वृषभिर्यात्वश्वैः । घृतवर्तनिः पविभी रुचान इषां वोळ्हा नृपतिर्वाजिनीवान् ॥
अश्विन भाइयों का रथ आए। यह रथ आसमान और धरती को जोड़ता है। सोने जैसा चमकता है। ताकतवर घोड़े इसे खींचते हैं। यह रथ चमक के चलता है। लोगों के रास्ते पर चलता है और खुशाली लाता है।
Mantra 2
स पप्रथानो अभि पञ्च भूमा त्रिवन्धुरो मनसा यातु युक्तः । विशो येन गच्छथो देवयन्तीः कुत्रा चिद्याममश्विना दधाना ॥
वो रथ पाँच जगह फैल के चलता है। तीन लोगों के बैठने की जगह है। मन से चलाया जाता है। अश्विन भैया भगवान ढूंढने वाले लोगों के पास जाते हैं। जहाँ भी जाते हैं वहाँ मौजूद हो जाते हैं।
Mantra 3
स्वश्वा यशसा यातमर्वाग्दस्रा निधिं मधुमन्तं पिबाथः । वि वां रथो वध्वा यादमानोऽन्तान्दिवो बाधते वर्तनिभ्याम् ॥
अश्विन भैया अपने अच्छे घोड़ों के साथ आओ। अपनी बड़ाई के साथ आओ। मीठा रस पियो जो बड़ा खजाना है। तुम्हारा रथ आसमान के कोने को तोड़ के चलता है। दो पैरों से रास्ता बनाता है ऊपर जाने का।
Mantra 4
युवोः श्रियं परि योषावृणीत सूरो दुहिता परितक्म्यायाम् । यद्देवयन्तमवथः शचीभिः परि घ्रंसमोमना वां वयो गात् ॥
सूरज की बेटी ने तुम्हारी चमक को चुना, जब वो घूमे जा रही थी। जब तुमने उस भक्त की मदद की अपनी शक्ति से, तब तुम्हारी कृपा से वो गर्मी से निकल गई। तुम्हारी शक्ति ने उसे बहा ले गया।
Mantra 5
यो ह स्य वां रथिरा वस्त उस्रा रथो युजानः परियाति वर्तिः । तेन नः शं योरुषसो व्युष्टौ न्यश्विना वहतं यज्ञे अस्मिन् ॥
तुम्हारा रथ तैयार है और उगा हुआ सवेरे के पास चलता है। उस रथ से हमे शांति दो और सुबह होने पर खुशी दो। अश्विन, इस यज्ञ में आओ।
Mantra 6
नरा गौरेव विद्युतं तृषाणास्माकमद्य सवनोप यातम् । पुरुत्रा हि वां मतिभिर्हवन्ते मा वामन्ये नि यमन्देवयन्तः ॥
हे स्वामी, बैल की बिजली की तरह आज हमारे पास आओ। बहुत लोग तुम्हे बुला रहे हैं अपने दिल से। दूसरे भक्त तुम्हे हमसे मत रोकें।
Mantra 7
युवं भुज्युमवविद्धं समुद्र उदूहथुरर्णसो अस्रिधानैः । पतत्रिभिरश्रमैरव्यथिभिर्दंसनाभिरश्विना पारयन्ता ॥
अश्विन, तुमने भुज्यु को समुंदर से बचाया जब वो डूब रहा था। तुमने उसे पानी से बाहर निकाला अपने पकड़ने वाली शक्ति से। तुम्हारी शक्ति थकती नहीं है और हिलती नहीं है। तुमने उसे पार ले गया।
Mantra 8
नू मे हवमा शृणुतं युवाना यासिष्टं वर्तिरश्विनाविरावत् । धत्तं रत्नानि जरतं च सूरीन्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
अब मेरा बुलाना सुनो, अश्विन। सीधा रास्ते आओ जहाँ सब कुछ है। हम्मे दौलत दो और रिशियों की देखभाल करो जो बड़े हो रहे हैं। हमेशा हमारी रक्षा करो अपनी शक्ति से।
Inside Sukta 69
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A vivid summons: the golden chariot of the Aśvins is called to come, ‘binding’ Heaven and Earth and shining on ghee-bright tracks.
- Development
The hymn links the Aśvins’ movement with the Dawns, describing their roaming course near Uṣas and their readiness to turn toward the sacrificer’s call.
- Climax
A direct ritual request: ‘carry yourselves down into this sacrifice’ and grant peace and wide gladness at daybreak’s opening.
- Where it settles
A final urgent appeal to hear the invocation, come by the most direct, abundance-rich path, bestow treasures, foster the seers, and protect always with svasti.
The deity: Aśvinau
- In the VedaTwin youthful gods, swift as thought, travelling in a radiant chariot drawn by strong horses; they are invoked at dawn as rescuers, healers, and bringers of boons who respond quickly to calls.
- Cosmic functionThey mediate the transition from night to day, restoring vitality, health, and order at the liminal hour; as divine physicians and helpers, they ‘set right’ what is broken and bring auspicious beginnings.
- Inner significanceSymbolize the awakening of consciousness at dawn—quick discernment, timely help, healing integration of dualities, and the power to move from confusion to clarity by a ‘straight path’.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Āditya/Brāhmaṇa seer line; traditionally linked with the Vasiṣṭhas of Mandala 7) · Foremost seer of the Seventh Maṇḍala; celebrated as a master of sacred speech and royal priest (purohita) associated with Sudās and the Bharata tradition, and as a paradigmatic ṛṣi of dharma and spiritual insight.
Famous verses
ā vāṃ ratho rodasī badbadhānaḥ
ny aśvinā vahataṃ yajñe asmin
yūyam pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Twin deities
- Youthful (yuvānā)
- Swift chariot-riders
- Healers and restorers
- Dawn-associated
- Bestowers of wealth and well-being (ratna, svasti)
- Protectors of worshippers and seers
- Bringers of peace and gladness (śaṃ, yoḥ)
Also by this seer
- Most of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (many hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and others)
- Vasiṣṭha-associated prayers for protection, kingship, and well-being (svasti) across Vedic ritual usage
- Later tradition connects Vasiṣṭha with Vasiṣṭha Dharmasūtra and yogic/ethical teachings (smṛti/itihāsa lineage attribution)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the altar and kindle Agni; set the dawn-facing orientation (east).
- Recite an opening invitation calling the Aśvins’ chariot to come swiftly (invocatory verse).
- Praise their radiant course and their association with Uṣas (Dawn), affirming their readiness to arrive at the rite.
- Request entry into the yajña, asking for śaṃ/yoḥ (peace and well-being) and strengthening of the worshippers.
- Conclude with a direct plea to hear the call, come by the straight path (yāsiṣṭaṃ), bestow treasures, and guard with svasti.
- Optionally follow with oblations and further Aśvin hymns as the rite proceeds.
Offerings
- Ghee (ghṛta) oblations
- Soma (where applicable in soma rites)
- Milk/curds and sweet offerings (common in Aśvin contexts)
- Grain-cakes/oblations according to śrauta procedure
Frequently Asked Questions
The Aśvins are twin youthful gods who arrive swiftly in a radiant chariot. In the Rig Veda they are famous as helpers and healers, especially invoked at dawn.
It asks them to come quickly by the straight path, enter the ongoing sacrifice, give peace and well-being, bestow treasures, and protect the worshippers continually.
Dawn is the Aśvins’ characteristic time of arrival. The hymn places their chariot’s movement near the ‘shining Dawns’ and uses daybreak as the moment for auspicious help and fresh beginnings.
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