Sukta 72
Sukta 7.72
Vasiṣṭha
Aśvinau (Nāsatyā)
Jagatī (often in RV 7.72; this verse has a longer cadence consistent with Jagatī tendencies)
This short hymn of Vasiṣṭha invokes the Aśvinau (Nāsatyā) to arrive swiftly in their radiant chariot, surrounded by their yoked powers, bringing beauty, protection, and prosperity. It links their coming with the awakening of praise and with Uṣas (Dawn), and culminates in a universal call for the Twins to guard the worshipper from every direction with svasti (well-being).
Mantras
Mantra 1
आ गोमता नासत्या रथेनाश्वावता पुरुश्चन्द्रेण यातम् । अभि वां विश्वा नियुतः सचन्ते स्पार्हया श्रिया तन्वा शुभाना ॥
नासत्य, अपने रथ से हमारे पास आओ। तुम्हारा रथ गायों और घोड़ों से भरा है, और बहुत चमकदार है। तुम्हारी सारी शक्तियाँ तुम्हारे साथ है। तुम खुद इतने सुंदर हो और चमक रहे हो, जैसे कोई खूबसूरत चीज़।
Mantra 2
आ नो देवेभिरुप यातमर्वाक्सजोषसा नासत्या रथेन । युवोर्हि नः सख्या पित्र्याणि समानो बन्धुरुत तस्य वित्तम् ॥
नासत्य, देवियों के साथ हमारे पास आओ। अपने रथ में एक साथ आओ। तुम्हारा और हमारा पुराना रिश्ता है, जो पहले से चला आ रहा है। यह बंधन एक है और तुम इस रिश्ते को अच्छे से जानते हो।
Mantra 3
उदु स्तोमासो अश्विनोरबुध्रञ्जामि ब्रह्माण्युषसश्च देवीः । आविवासन्रोदसी धिष्ण्येमे अच्छा विप्रो नासत्या विवक्ति ॥
अश्विन के लिए स्तोत्रम जाग उठा है। पुराने जाने-पहचाने शब्द भी जागे हैं। उषा देवी, सुबह की देवी, भी आई है। दोनों दुनिया तैयार हो गई हैं पूजा के लिए। रिशि लोग अश्विन के पास जाके पुकारते हैं।
Mantra 4
वि चेदुच्छन्त्यश्विना उषासः प्र वां ब्रह्माणि कारवो भरन्ते । ऊर्ध्वं भानुं सविता देवो अश्रेद्बृहदग्नयः समिधा जरन्ते ॥
जब सुबह की रोशनी आती है, तब अश्विन आते हैं। गाने वाले लोग उनके लिए पवित्र शब्द ले कर आते हैं। सूर्य देवता ऊपर रोशनी फैला देता है। अग्नि बड़ी आग के रूप में जलके ऊपर जाती है।
Mantra 5
आ पश्चातान्नासत्या पुरस्तादाश्विना यातमधरादुदक्तात् । आ विश्वतः पाञ्चजन्येन राया यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
नासत्य, पीछे से भी आओ, आगे से भी आओ। अश्विन, नीचे से भी आओ, ऊपर से भी आओ। चारों तरफ से आओ और हमें धन दो। पाँच तरह के लोगों के लिए जो धन है वो लाओ। हमेशा हमारी रक्षा करो और हमें ठीक रखो।
Inside Sukta 72
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
A direct invitation: the Nāsatyā are called to come in a splendid chariot rich in cattle and horses, radiant with desirable beauty (śrī).
- Development
Their powers (niyutaḥ) gather; praise and sacred speech awaken, and Uṣas is implicitly present—framing the Aśvins as responders at the moment of awakening and readiness of the worlds.
- Climax
The seer’s inspired call (vipra) aims straight toward the Nāsatyā as the cosmos becomes fit for worship—linking human hymn and cosmic dawn into one movement.
- Where it settles
A comprehensive protective petition: from behind/front, below/above, and from every side, may the Aśvins come with fivefold-sustaining wealth and guard us always with svasti.
The deity: Aśvinau
- In the VedaThe Aśvins are youthful divine Twins, swift riders of a bright chariot, bringers of help in distress, healers, and rescuers who respond quickly to the call of praise—often arriving at dawn alongside Uṣas.
- Cosmic functionThey mediate between night and day and between gods and humans, restoring wholeness (health, sight, vitality), ensuring safe passage, and setting auspiciousness in motion at liminal times.
- Inner significanceThey symbolize the twin powers of swift intuition and skillful action that ‘arrive’ when the mind awakens—healing inner fragmentation, bringing clarity at transitions, and establishing confidence (svasti) from all sides.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āditya/solar-aligned seer lineage; traditional association with the Vasiṣṭhas of the Rig Veda) · Foremost among the Seven Ṛṣis, celebrated for luminous brahma (inspired utterance), royal counsel, and hymns that blend ritual precision with inner devotion; a principal seer of Maṇḍala 7.
Famous verses
spārhayā śriyā tanvā śubhānā
उदु स्तोमासो अश्विनोरबुध्रञ्जामि ब्रह्माण्युषसश्च देवीः । आविवासन्रोदसी धिष्ण्येमे अच्छा विप्रो नासत्या विवक्ति ॥yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Divine Twins (dual yet harmonious)
- Swift chariot and strong steeds
- Healers and restorers (bhaiṣajyā)
- Rescuers and protectors in danger
- Associated with dawn/awakening (Uṣas)
- Bestowers of wealth and auspicious well-being (svasti)
Also by this seer
- Large portions of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (numerous sūktas attributed to the Vasiṣṭhas)
- Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and the Maruts within RV 7
- Traditional association with Vasiṣṭha’s role in Vedic priesthood (purohita) and dharmic counsel in later Itihāsa-Purāṇa memory
The rite, step by step
- Purification and orientation to the quarters (dik-bandhana), preparing a protected ritual space
- Lighting/attending the household or āhavanīya fire; settling the mind into morning clarity
- Recite RV 7.72 with an explicit āhvāna (invitation) to the Aśvins’ chariot from all directions
- State the personal intent: healing, protection, safe travel, prosperity, and ‘svasti’ for the household/community
- Conclude with a short śānti/svasti formula and circumambulation or silent gratitude
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into fire
- Milk/curds or simple sweet offering (symbolic of nourishment and healing)
- Soma-analogue offering where appropriate (ritual context-dependent)
- Water libation and flowers (later customary adjuncts)
Frequently Asked Questions
They are the divine Twin horsemen, famous in the Rig Veda for swift help, healing, rescue, and bringing auspicious well-being—often arriving at dawn.
The hymn invites the Aśvins to come quickly and beautifully, bring prosperity, and protect the worshipper from every direction with svasti (well-being and safety).
Because the Aśvins are especially connected with the liminal time of dawn; the hymn describes praise and sacred speech ‘waking up’ as the worlds become ready for worship.
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