Sukta 78
Sukta 5.78
Atri (Ātreya)
Ashvins (Nāsatyā)
Gāyatrī (probable; short refrain-like structure; verify against metrical count)
This hymn is an urgent invocation to the Aśvins (Nāsatyā), the swift divine physicians, to come quickly to the Soma offering and not turn away. It centers on protection and successful delivery in childbirth—asking for the womb to open at the right time and for mother and child to emerge alive and unharmed, with a remembered rescue motif (Saptavadhri) reinforcing the Aśvins’ healing power.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अश्विनावेह गच्छतं नासत्या मा वि वेनतम् । हंसाविव पततमा सुताँ उप ॥
O Ashvins, come here—O Nāsatyas, do not turn away. Like two swans in flight, come swiftly down to the expressed Soma-pressings within us.
Mantra 2
अश्विना हरिणाविव गौराविवानु यवसम् । हंसाविव पततमा सुताँ उप ॥
O Ashvins, like two tawny steeds, like two bright bulls following the pasture, fly like two swans toward the pressed Soma—toward the prepared delight in us.
Mantra 3
अश्विना वाजिनीवसू जुषेथां यज्ञमिष्टये । हंसाविव पततमा सुताँ उप ॥
O Ashvins, lords of plenitudes of force, accept and enjoy the sacrifice for the fulfilment of the aspiration; fly like two swans toward the pressed Soma within us.
Mantra 4
अत्रिर्यद्वामवरोहन्नृबीसमजोहवीन्नाधमानेव योषा । श्येनस्य चिज्जवसा नूतनेनागच्छतमश्विना शंतमेन ॥
When Atri, fallen down into distress, called to you—like a woman in labour crying out—then even with a speed newer than the falcon’s, come, O Ashvins, with your most peace-giving power.
Mantra 5
वि जिहीष्व वनस्पते योनिः सूष्यन्त्या इव । श्रुतं मे अश्विना हवं सप्तवध्रिं च मुञ्चतम् ॥
Open apart, O lord of the wood: let the womb release as one whose time has ripened. O Ashvins, hear my call and set free Saptavadhri as well.
Mantra 6
भीताय नाधमानाय ऋषये सप्तवध्रये । मायाभिरश्विना युवं वृक्षं सं च वि चाचथः ॥
For the frightened, groaning seer Saptavadhri, you two Ashvins by your arts of power split the tree apart—joining and separating its parts—so he might be released.
Mantra 7
यथा वातः पुष्करिणीं समिङ्गयति सर्वतः । एवा ते गर्भ एजतु निरैतु दशमास्यः ॥
As the wind stirs the lotus-pond from every side, so may your embryo move and come forth—O ten-month one—into the open.
Mantra 8
यथा वातो यथा वनं यथा समुद्र एजति । एवा त्वं दशमास्य सहावेहि जरायुणा ॥
As the wind moves, as the forest sways, as the ocean heaves—so you too, O ten-month one, come down and forth, together with the life-membrane.
Mantra 9
दश मासाञ्छशयानः कुमारो अधि मातरि । निरैतु जीवो अक्षतो जीवो जीवन्त्या अधि ॥
After lying ten months, the child upon the mother—may he come forth alive, unharmed; alive upon the living mother.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn praises the Aśvins (also called Nāsatyā), twin divine horsemen known in the Veda as swift healers and rescuers who respond quickly to prayers.
Its main purpose is protection and healing, with a strong focus on safe childbirth—asking that the womb open at the right time and that both mother and child remain alive and unharmed.
Saptavadhri is recalled as an example of the Aśvins’ power to free and save. By naming a past rescue, the hymn strengthens confidence that they will grant timely help again.
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