Sukta 57
Sukta 8.57
This short hymn is an invitatory to the Aśvins (Nāsatyas) to arrive in their powerful chariot and drink the “third pressing” of Soma. It praises their admirable deeds across heaven and earth, affirms that their allotted share is prepared, and asks them to protect and prosper the sacrificer through their efficacious powers (śacī).
In this hymn
Addressed to
Mantras
Mantra 1
युवं देवा क्रतुना पूर्व्येण युक्ता रथेन तविषं यजत्रा । आगच्छतं नासत्या शचीभिरिदं तृतीयं सवनं पिबाथः ॥
आप दोनों देवता हैं। अपने पुराने ज्ञान और शक्ति से, अपनी रथ में बैठ के यहाँ आओ। नसत्य कहते हैं तुम्हे, तुम्हारी शक्ति से काम होता है। यह तीसरा सोम का प्याला पियो।
Mantra 2
युवां देवास्त्रय एकादशासः सत्याः सत्यस्य ददृशे पुरस्तात् । अस्माकं यज्ञं सवनं जुषाणा पातं सोममश्विना दीद्यग्नी ॥
तुम दोनों देवता हो, ग्यारह के साथ तीन भी हो। सत्य के आगे तुम खड़े हो, सत्य ही दिख रहा है। हमारी पूजा और सोम का प्याला स्वीकार करो। अश्विन कहते हैं तुम्हे, आग की तरह चमक रहे हो, सोम पियो।
Mantra 3
पनाय्यं तदश्विना कृतं वां वृषभो दिवो रजसः पृथिव्याः । सहस्रं शंसा उत ये गविष्टौ सर्वाँ इत्ताँ उप याता पिबध्यै ॥
अश्विन भाइयों, तुमने जो काम किया है वो बहुत बढ़िया है। आसमान और धरती दोनों जगह तुम्हारी ताकत है। हज़ारों लोग तुम्हारी तारीफ करते हैं। जो लोग रोशनी ढूंढते हैं वो भी तुम्हारे पास आते हैं। सबके पास जाओ और सोम रस पियो।
Mantra 4
अयं वां भागो निहितो यजत्रेमा गिरो नासत्योप यातम् । पिबतं सोमं मधुमन्तमस्मे प्र दाश्वांसमवतं शचीभिः ॥
यह भाग तुम्हारे लिए रखा है, तुम यकीनी लोग हो। नासत्य भाइयों, इन गानों के पास आओ। हमारे अंदर जो मीठा सोम रस है उसे पियो। जो श्रद्धा से देता है उसकी मदद करो, अपनी शक्ति से।
Inside Sukta 57
How it unfolds
- Where it opens
An urgent invitation: the Aśvins are summoned to come in their forceful chariot and drink the third Soma pressing (8.57.1).
- Development
Their admirable deeds are celebrated as spanning heaven’s expanse and earth, and the hymn widens to include “a thousand praises” and all seekers of light/rays (gaviṣṭi) (8.57.3).
- Climax
The ritual moment is made explicit: their allotted portion is already set down; they are asked to draw near to the songs and drink the sweet Soma (8.57.4).
- Where it settles
The hymn ends in reciprocity: having been offered Soma and praise, the Aśvins are asked to uphold and protect the generous sacrificer through their śacī (8.57.4).
The deity: Aśvins
- Cosmic functionThey mediate transitions and renewals—night to dawn, danger to safety, sickness to health—bringing auspicious movement, vitality, and right timing to the sacrificer and the world-order.
- Inner significanceThe paired powers of prompt help and skillful means: clarity and vigor arriving together, restoring balance, guiding the seeker through liminal moments, and “making the path workable.”
Famous verses
tṛtīyaṃ savanaṃ pibāthaḥ
पनाय्यं तदश्विना कृतं वां वृषभो दिवो रजसः पृथिव्याः । सहस्रं शंसा उत ये गविष्टौ सर्वाँ इत्ताँ उप याता पिबध्यै ॥ayaṃ vām bhāgo nihito
Attributes of the deity
- Twin deities (dual form)
- Swift chariot-borne arrival
- Healers and rescuers
- Beneficent, approachable gods of timely help
- Linked with Soma pressings and ritual hospitality
- Associated with effective powers (śacī) and ancient wisdom-will (pūrvya kratu)
Also by this seer
- RV 8.57 (this hymn), as preserved in Mandala 8 collections associated with diverse family and ritual anthologies
The rite, step by step
- Prepare the Soma for the third pressing (tṛtīya savana) and set aside the Aśvins’ portion (bhāga).
- Recite the invitatory verses calling the Aśvins to come yoked to their chariot by their ancient kratu and śacī.
- Offer and present the sweet Soma (madhumant soma) as their drink.
- Conclude with a request for protection and support of the giver (dāśvāṃs) who has offered.
Offerings
- Soma (especially the third pressing)
- Stotra/śastra-style praises (giraḥ, śaṃsāḥ)
- Portioned share (bhāga) set down for the deities
Frequently Asked Questions
They are twin Vedic deities known for swift help, healing, and rescue. The hymn calls them to arrive in their chariot and accept Soma and praise.
In Soma ritual there are multiple pressings during the day. This sukta specifically invites the Aśvins to drink the Soma prepared for the third pressing (tṛtīya savana).
Besides asking them to drink the sweet Soma, the hymn asks the Aśvins to uphold and protect the sacrificer—the person who offers and gives—through their effective powers (śacī).
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