Rig Veda Sukta 71
Mandala 7Sukta 716 Mantras

Sukta 71

Sukta 7.71

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (traditional for Maṇḍala 7)

Devata

Aśvinau (with dawn/night transition imagery in the verse)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

この短いアシュヴィナウ讃歌は、夜が明け方に譲り渡す鮮やかな境目を背景に、光り輝く車で迅速に来臨するよう神聖な双子に呼びかける。ヴァシシュタは彼らを守護者として、「昼も夜も」害を払い、活力・富・安寧をもたらす者として祈請する。讃歌は、丹念に織り上げた賛美の歌を捧げ、svasti(吉祥・安泰)による絶えざる加護を願って結ばれる。

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.71

Mantras

Mantra 1

अप स्वसुरुषसो नग्जिहीते रिणक्ति कृष्णीररुषाय पन्थाम् । अश्वामघा गोमघा वां हुवेम दिवा नक्तं शरुमस्मद्युयोतम् ॥

夜はその姉妹なる曙(ウシャス)の前から退き、黒き道を、紅に輝く光の路へと譲り渡す。馬の力を授け、牛の光を授けるアシュヴィン(Aśvins)よ、われらは昼も夜も汝らを呼ぶ。害の矢をわれらより追い払え。

Mantra 2

उपायातं दाशुषे मर्त्याय रथेन वाममश्विना वहन्ता । युयुतमस्मदनिराममीवां दिवा नक्तं माध्वी त्रासीथां नः ॥

供物を捧げるこの死すべき者のもとへ近づけ、アシュヴィン(Aśvins)よ、汝らの麗しき車に乗りて来たれ。喜びをもたらさぬ病をわれらより追い払え。昼も夜も、蜜のごとく甘き力よ、われらを守れ。

Mantra 3

आ वां रथमवमस्यां व्युष्टौ सुम्नायवो वृषणो वर्तयन्तु । स्यूमगभस्तिमृतयुग्भिरश्वैराश्विना वसुमन्तं वहेथाम् ॥

曙の最後の開けゆく時に、強き者らが、われらの幸いのために汝らの車を進めよ。リタ(ṛta)に繋がれた馬ら、手綱をよく握る手をもって、アシュヴィン(Aśvins)よ、内なる充溢に富む車をここへ運べ。

Mantra 4

यो वां रथो नृपती अस्ति वोळ्हा त्रिवन्धुरो वसुमाँ उस्रयामा । आ न एना नासत्योप यातमभि यद्वां विश्वप्स्न्यो जिगाति ॥

人の君(nṛpati)たる汝らの車は、汝らを運ぶ——三座(trivandhura)にして富(vasumān)を具え、輝ける光の道(usrayāma)を行く。ナ―サティヤ(Nāsatyā)よ、その車にて我らのもとへ近づけ、遍くゆきわたる呼び(viśvapsnya)が汝らに届くときに。

Mantra 5

युवं च्यवानं जरसोऽमुमुक्तं नि पेदव ऊहथुराशुमश्वम् । निरंहसस्तमसः स्पर्तमत्रिं नि जाहुषं शिथिरे धातमन्तः ॥

汝ら二柱は、老いの掴みよりチャヴァーナ(Cyavāna)を解き放ち、ペードゥ(Pedu)のために迅き馬をもたらした。汝らはアトリ(Atri)を圧迫と闇より救い出し、ジャーフシャ(Jāhuṣa)を内に安んじて、緩みて損なわれぬ状態に置いた。

Mantra 6

इयं मनीषा इयमश्विना गीरिमां सुवृक्तिं वृषणा जुषेथाम् । इमा ब्रह्माणि युवयून्यग्मन्यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

これぞ思惟(manīṣā)、これぞ詠唱(gīr)なり、アシュヴィン(Aśvin)よ。雄々しき者ら(vṛṣaṇā)よ、よく織られた讃歌(suvṛkti)を嘉せよ。汝らの力により若々しき梵言(brahmāṇi)はここに至った。汝ら、安寧の広がり(svastibhiḥ)もて、常に我らを護れ。

Inside Sukta 71

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A cosmic tableau: Night withdraws from her sister Dawn, yielding the dark paths to the ruddy way of light.

  2. Development

    From this transition, the poet turns to direct invocation—Aśvins as givers of vitality and wealth—asking them to avert the ‘dart’ of harm at all times.

  3. Climax

    The urgent invitation: the Nāsatyas are asked to come near in their rich, three-seated chariot when the pervasive call reaches them.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn closes by offering the crafted praise and requesting enduring protection through svasti—ongoing well-being and safe guidance.

The deity: Aśvinau

  • In the VedaThe Aśvins are the youthful divine Twins, swift riders and healers who come in a bright, well-yoked chariot, especially at the dawn-transition, answering human calls and bringing remedies, protection, and prosperity.
  • Cosmic functionThey mediate the passage from darkness to light (night-to-dawn), restore wholeness (healing), and ensure safe passage—physical and cosmic—through peril and transition.
  • Inner significanceThey symbolize the twin powers of prompt help and restorative insight: the capacity to move from confusion to clarity, to heal brokenness, and to establish inner ‘svasti’—stable well-being amid change.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha-gotra (Āditya/Ṛṣi lineage traditionally associated with the Vasiṣṭhas) · Foremost seer of Maṇḍala 7, celebrated for sacerdotal authority, luminous praise-poetry, and his role as a paradigmatic purohita (royal priest) in Vedic tradition.

Famous verses

divā naktaṃ śarum asmad yuyotam
Verse 7.71.1Sets the signature imagery of the sukta—night yielding to dawn—and frames the central petition: that the Aśvins drive away harm both day and night.Read verse 7.71.1 →
यो वां रथो नृपती अस्ति वोळ्हा त्रिवन्धुरो वसुमाँ उस्रयामा । आ न एना नासत्योप यातमभि यद्वां विश्वप्स्न्यो जिगाति ॥
Verse 7.71.4Highlights the Aśvins’ iconic chariot (three-seated, wealth-bearing) and the idea that they respond swiftly when the universal call reaches them.Read verse 7.71.4 →
yūyam pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Verse 7.71.6Concluding dedication of the hymn itself (suvṛkti) and the final prayer for constant safeguarding through svasti (auspicious well-being).Read verse 7.71.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin deities (yugmā)
  • Swift chariot-borne rescuers
  • Healers and restorers
  • Associated with dawn and transitions
  • Protectors who avert harm (driving away the ‘dart’)
  • Givers of strength and prosperity (aśva-/go-maghā)

Also by this seer

  • Majority of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 hymns (Sapta-maṇḍala tradition)
  • Hymns to Agni, Indra, Varuṇa-Mitra, and the Maruts in RV 7
  • Later Vedic/Itihāsa memory as a foundational brahmarṣi and teacher in the Vasiṣṭha lineage

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire and seat the intention: protection and auspicious passage from night to day.
  • Recite the opening verse(s) at the dawn-threshold, contemplating Night yielding to Dawn.
  • Invite the Aśvins to ‘come near’ on their three-seated chariot, calling them by day and by night.
  • State the specific request: removal of harm and hostile ‘shafts’ (śaru).
  • Offer the ‘well-woven hymn’ (suvṛkti) as praise, concluding with a request for continual svasti.
  • Seal with a brief śānti/svasti formula or silent contemplation on safe guidance.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • Milk/curd or simple dairy oblations (Aśvinau associations)
  • Soma offering where applicable (in soma contexts)
  • Flowers/water as simple upacāra in later devotional adaptations

Frequently Asked Questions

The Aśvins (Nāsatyā) are the youthful divine Twins who arrive swiftly in a shining chariot, known for rescue, healing, and bringing prosperity—especially at dawn.

The night-to-dawn change is a sacred transition in the Veda. It symbolizes moving from danger and obscurity into safety and light, fitting the Aśvins’ role as protectors and helpers.

The poet asks them to come quickly, remove the ‘dart’ of harm, and guard the worshippers continually with svasti—steady well-being and auspicious protection.

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