Sukta 73
Sukta 7.73
Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for RV 7; internal mention in 7.73.3 supports Vasiṣṭha)
Aśvinau (Nāsatyā), the twin divine physicians/helpers
Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 7.73; confirm against pada-count in critical edition)
This short Triṣṭubh hymn calls the Aśvinau (Nāsatyā) to arrive swiftly from every direction as rescuers who carry the worshipper beyond “darkness” into a farther, safer shore. Vasiṣṭha presents a well-fashioned praise as the sacrifice is driven along its proper paths, asking the twin healers to bring fivefold, all-round prosperity and constant protection.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अतारिष्म तमसस्पारमस्य प्रति स्तोमं देवयन्तो दधानाः । पुरुदंसा पुरुतमा पुराजामर्त्या हवते अश्विना गीः ॥
हम अंधेरा पार करके निकल आए हैं। अब हम देवता की तरफ जाके स्तोत्रम बोल रहे हैं। अश्विन बहुत काम करते हैं, बहुत बड़े हैं, बहुत पुराने हैं, और कभी मरने वाले नहीं हैं। हम उन्हे पुकारते हैं कि वो आके मदद करें।
Mantra 2
न्यु प्रियो मनुषः सादि होता नासत्या यो यजते वन्दते च । अश्नीतं मध्वो अश्विना उपाक आ वां वोचे विदथेषु प्रयस्वान् ॥
अब वो होता आके बैठो जो लोगों को प्यारा है। जो यज्ञ करता है और अश्विन की पूजा करता है। अश्विन, तुम मधु का स्वाद लो जो पास ही है। मैं सबके सामने तुम्हारी तारीफ करूँगा और यज्ञ में शक्ति दूँगा।
Mantra 3
अहेम यज्ञं पथामुराणा इमां सुवृक्तिं वृषणा जुषेथाम् । श्रुष्टीवेव प्रेषितो वामबोधि प्रति स्तोमैर्जरमाणो वसिष्ठः ॥
हमने यज्ञ को आगे बढ़ा दिया है, उसकी राह पर चला दिया। अश्विनी कुमार, तुम दोनों बलवान हो, इस सही बोल को अपना लो। रिशि वशिष्ठ ने तुम्हे पुकारा है, जैसे कोई सारथी गाड़ी चलाता है। वो स्तोत्र के साथ जवाब दे रहे हैं, और उनका काम पक रहा है।
Mantra 4
उप त्या वह्नी गमतो विशं नो रक्षोहणा सम्भृता वीळुपाणी । समन्धांस्यग्मत मत्सराणि मा नो मर्धिष्टमा गतं शिवेन ॥
अग्नि के दोनों रूप, हमारे पास आओ, हमारी जान के पास। तुम दुश्मनों को मारने वाले हो, हाथ में शक्ति लिए हो। अंधेरा और अहंकार दोनों चले जाओ। हमें मत कुचलो, शक्ति और शांति लेकर आओ।
Mantra 5
आ पश्चातान्नासत्या पुरस्तादाश्विना यातमधरादुदक्तात् । आ विश्वतः पाञ्चजन्येन राया यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
अश्विनी कुमार, तुम पीछे से भी आओ, आगे से भी आओ। नीचे से भी आओ, ऊपर से भी आओ। चारों तरफ से आओ, और पाँच प्रकार के लोगों के लिए धन लेकर आओ। हमेशा हमें अपनी शक्ति से बचाओ।
Inside Sukta 73
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
The singers declare they have crossed beyond darkness and set a responsive hymn in motion, calling the ancient, effective Aśvins.
- Development
The sacrifice is “driven along its paths,” and Vasiṣṭha presents a well-shaped utterance, urging the twins to accept and to awaken to the praise.
- Climax
A total-direction invocation summons the Aśvins from every quarter with sustaining wealth for the ‘fivefold’ human community.
- Where it settles
The hymn seals the request as a lasting benediction: may the Aśvins protect us always with svasti (well-being).
The deity: Aśvinau
- In the VedaThe Aśvins are the youthful twin horsemen, swift as thought, famed as physicians and rescuers who respond to urgent calls, bringing light, health, safe passage, and timely aid to mortals.
- Cosmic functionThey mediate transitions—night to dawn, danger to safety, sickness to health—restoring wholeness and guiding the sacrificer across obstacles, often linked with the dawning of clarity and renewed vitality.
- Inner significanceThey symbolize the paired powers of swift discernment and healing action: the inner helpers who lift the mind out of tamas (confusion/darkness) into clarity, balance, and well-being.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āditya/Brāhmaṇa seer-line; traditional Vasiṣṭha family of Mandala 7) · Foremost among the Saptaṛṣi-s in Vedic tradition; renowned for powerful mantra-craft, priestly leadership (purohita), and hymns emphasizing ṛta (cosmic order) and effective divine help.
Famous verses
atāriṣma tamasas pāram asya
jaramāṇo vasiṣṭhaḥ
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Attributes of the deity
- Twin deities (yugma)
- Swift and far-reaching movement
- Divine physicians and rescuers
- Bringers of dawn-like relief and renewal
- Respond to praise and urgent invocation
- Protectors granting svasti (well-being) and rayi (prosperity)
Also by this seer
- Primary seer-family of Rigveda Mandala 7 (many hymns attributed to the Vasiṣṭhas)
- Major Agni and Indra hymns in RV 7 (e.g., RV 7.1–7.16 and other sections traditionally linked to the Vasiṣṭha lineage)
- Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with foundational dharma/ṛṣi lore (e.g., Vasiṣṭha-smṛti and yoga/dharma teachings), though these are post-Rigvedic attributions
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the ritual space and kindle/maintain Agni as the carrier of offerings.
- Recite the Aśvinau stotra: establish the ‘answering hymn’ (prati-stoma) with focused devayāna intent.
- Invite the twins to come from all directions (front/behind, above/below), emphasizing immediacy and total protection.
- Offer oblations while voicing requests for safe passage beyond darkness, healing, and all-round prosperity for the community.
- Conclude with a protective blessing (svasti) and reaffirmation of ongoing guardianship.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) into Agni
- Soma (where applicable in Soma rites)
- Milk/curds or sweet offerings (common Aśvinau associations in later ritual practice)
Frequently Asked Questions
They are the twin divine helpers known for swift rescue and healing. The hymn calls them to arrive quickly and protect the worshippers with well-being and prosperity.
On the surface it suggests moving from danger or night into safety and light. Spiritually it also points to passing beyond confusion or inner heaviness (tamas) into clarity and renewed strength through divine help.
The hymn explicitly names Vasiṣṭha (7.73.3), showing the seer as the one who ‘awakens’ the gods through well-crafted praise and keeps the sacrifice moving correctly on its paths.
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