Sukta 74
Sukta 7.74
Vasiṣṭha (book 7 attribution)
Gāyatrī (probable; shorter pādas suggest gāyatrī-type; confirm)
This brief hymn calls the Aśvinau at the moment of dawn, when the “dawn-lights” rise and seekers of the shining heaven invoke their swift help. It emphasizes the Twins’ mobile, people-to-people beneficence—arriving on fast horses to the house of the generous worshipper—and frames them as protectors who strengthen human vitality and settle communities into well-being.
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
इमा उ वां दिविष्टय उस्रा हवन्ते अश्विना । अयं वामह्वेऽवसे शचीवसू विशंविशं हि गच्छथः ॥
ये लोग स्वर्ग की रोशनी चाहते हैं, इसलिए तुम्हे पुकारते हैं, अश्विनी कुमार। सुबह की रोशनी उठती है, तब वो तुम्हे बुलाते हैं। मैं भी तुम्हे मदद के लिए पुकारता हूँ। तुम लोगों-लोगों के पास जाते हो, जहाँ भी ज़रूरत होती है वहाँ पहुँच जाते हो।
Mantra 2
युवं चित्रं ददथुर्भोजनं नरा चोदेथां सूनृतावते । अर्वाग्रथं समनसा नि यच्छतं पिबतं सोम्यं मधु ॥
तुम दोनों विभिन्न प्रकार का खाना देते हो, वीर पुरुष हो। सच बोलने वाले को आगे बढ़ाते हो। अपनी रथ को मन से मिला कर यहाँ लाओ। सोम रस का मधु पियो, ताकि हमें खुशी मिले और सही बात काम करे।
Mantra 3
आ यातमुप भूषतं मध्वः पिबतमश्विना । दुग्धं पयो वृषणा जेन्यावसू मा नो मर्धिष्टमा गतम् ॥
अश्विन भाई, पास आओ और हमें आशीर्वाद दो। यह मीठा रस पियो, दूध जैसा। तुम दोनों बलवान हो, जीतने वाले हो। हमें मत दबाओ, हमारे पास आओ।
Mantra 4
अश्वासो ये वामुप दाशुषो गृहं युवां दीयन्ति बिभ्रतः । मक्षूयुभिर्नरा हयेभिरश्विना देवा यातमस्मयू ॥
जो घोड़े तुम्हारे हैं, वो तुम्हे उस बंदे के घर ले आते हैं जो भगवान को समर्पित करता है। वो घोड़े तेज़ दौड़ते हैं। अश्विन देवता, तुम दोनों वीर हो। हमें तुम्हारी ज़रूरत है, हमारे पास आओ।
Mantra 5
अधा ह यन्तो अश्विना पृक्षः सचन्त सूरयः । ता यंसतो मघवद्भ्यो ध्रुवं यशश्छर्दिरस्मभ्यं नासत्या ॥
जब अश्विन निकलते हैं, बड़े रिशि भी उनके साथ चलते हैं। जो लोग खुले दिल से देते हैं, उनको बड़ाई और सुरक्षा मिलती है। नासत्य भाई, हमारे लिए भी यह करो।
Mantra 6
प्र ये ययुरवृकासो रथा इव नृपातारो जनानाम् । उत स्वेन शवसा शूशुवुर्नर उत क्षियन्ति सुक्षितिम् ॥
जो लोग सीधे हैं, वो आगे बढ़ते हैं जैसे रथ दौड़ता है। वो लोगों की रक्षा करते हैं। अपनी ताकत से वो और मज़बूत होते हैं। वो अच्छे घर में रहते हैं, सुकून से।
Inside Sukta 74
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
Dawn rises; seekers of the shining heaven call the Aśvins, and the poet adds his own urgent invocation for help.
- Development
The hymn highlights the Aśvins’ characteristic movement—going from clan to clan—and their swift conveyance by horses to the home of the generous worshipper.
- Climax
A concentrated appeal for their rapid arrival with quick-running steeds and for their protective, strengthening power over human life.
- Where it settles
The vision settles into social and existential well-being: the protected grow strong and come to dwell in a harmonious ‘good abiding’ (su-kṣiti).
The deity: Aśvinau
- In the VedaThey are invoked as śacīvasū—possessors of effective power—and as gods who arrive quickly to the worshipper’s home.
- Cosmic functionMediators of transition: they accompany the coming of Uṣas (Dawn), restore vitality, avert harm, and ensure safe movement between night and day, danger and safety, need and fulfilment.
- Inner significanceThe paired powers of prompt discernment and efficacious action that ‘arrive’ when aspiration awakens—helping the seeker move from obscurity to clarity, and from fragmentation to a settled, well-ordered life.
The seer
- VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Āditya/Brāhmaṇa seer lineage traditionally associated with the Vasiṣṭhas of Mandala 7) · Foremost among the Rigvedic seers; chief voice of Mandala 7, renowned for hymns to Varuṇa–Mitra and for articulating ṛta (cosmic order) and the ethical-spiritual dimension of Vedic worship.
Famous verses
viśaṃ-viśaṃ hi gacchathaḥ
अश्वासो ये वामुप दाशुषो गृहं युवां दीयन्ति बिभ्रतः । मक्षूयुभिर्नरा हयेभिरश्विना देवा यातमस्मयू ॥kṣiyanti sukṣitim
Attributes of the deity
- Twin divinities
- Swift approach (quick horses/chariot imagery)
- Healers and rescuers
- Responsive to invocation
- Friends of the generous giver (dāśuṣ)
- Protective guardians of peoples
Also by this seer
- Majority of Rig Veda Mandala 7 hymns (Vasiṣṭha family collection)
- Celebrated Varuṇa hymns (e.g., RV 7.86–7.89) exploring sin, confession, and restoration to ṛta
- Later tradition credits Vasiṣṭha with influential roles in Itihāsa-Purāṇa narratives and Dharma discourse (post-Rigvedic reception)
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the offering space and kindle/maintain the sacred fire (as applicable to the rite).
- At dawn, recite the opening invitation calling the Aśvins as Uṣas rises (āvāhana-style summons).
- Offer oblations while praising their swift horses and their readiness to come to the giver’s house.
- State the petition: protection, strengthening of vitality, and establishment in ‘good dwelling’ (su-kṣiti).
- Conclude with a final call for their near approach and continued guardianship.
Offerings
- Ghee (ājya) oblations
- Soma (where part of a Soma sequence)
- Milk/curds or simple food-offerings typical of Aśvin invocations (context-dependent)
Frequently Asked Questions
The Aśvins are twin Vedic gods known for swift arrival, healing, rescue, and practical help. Here they are called at dawn to come quickly and protect the worshipper and community.
Dawn is a transition moment when light returns and activity begins. The hymn uses this timing to invite the Aśvins—deities of timely aid—to arrive with the rising dawn-lights and remove obstacles.
Beyond immediate help, it seeks protection and strengthening of human life, ending in “su-kṣiti”—a good, stable dwelling or well-ordered settlement, meaning secure well-being for people.
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