Rig Veda Sukta 158
Mandala 1Sukta 1586 Mantras

Sukta 158

Sukta 1.158

Devata

Aśvins (with Rudra-like epithets; hymn addressed to the twin powers)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable)

Este breve hino do ciclo de Dīrghatamas invoca os poderes gêmeos identificados com os Aśvins, louvados com epítetos de feição rudriana como auxiliares luminosos, vigorosos e de muitas mentes. Passando do elogio a uma prece de proteção, pede que o par «alado» não drene nem disperse o adorador, e culmina numa declaração autorreferente em que o brahman (enunciação/insight sagrado) se torna o cocheiro que conduz os buscadores às Águas (Āpas), o objetivo oculto da busca.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 1.158

Mantras

Mantra 1

वसू रुद्रा पुरुमन्तू वृधन्ता दशस्यतं नो वृषणावभिष्टौ । दस्रा ह यद्रेक्ण औचथ्यो वां प्र यत्सस्राथे अकवाभिरूती ॥

Ó Rudras, luminosos, de muitos pensamentos, que cresceis em poderes—sede dignos da nossa reverência, ó fortes, na vossa proximidade. Ó fazedores de maravilhas, quando no hino se enunciam as vossas riquezas, que o vosso auxílio se derrame sobre nós com proteção infalível.

Mantra 2

को वां दाशत्सुमतये चिदस्यै वसू यद्धेथे नमसा पदे गोः । जिगृतमस्मे रेवतीः पुरंधीः कामप्रेणेव मनसा चरन्ता ॥

Quem vos dará uma dádiva por esta vossa alegre benevolência, ó resplandecentes—já que estabeleceis (a vossa graça) com homenagem na pegada da Vaca (o raio de Luz)? Erguei para nós as ricas realizações, movendo-se na mente como o ímpeto do desejo, para que o nosso entendimento se torne abundante.

Mantra 3

युक्तो ह यद्वां तौग्र्याय पेरुर्वि मध्ये अर्णसो धायि पज्रः । उप वामवः शरणं गमेयं शूरो नाज्म पतयद्भिरेवैः ॥

Quando o vosso carro (a vossa força) jungido levou o filho de Tugra, e Pajra foi colocado no meio da inundação—então possa eu achegar-me ao vosso auxílio como a um refúgio, como um herói que corre pela via com cavalos (energias) alados.

Mantra 4

उपस्तुतिरौचथ्यमुरुष्येन्मा मामिमे पतत्रिणी वि दुग्धाम् । मा मामेधो दशतयश्चितो धाक्प्र यद्वां बद्धस्त्मनि खादति क्षाम् ॥

Que o cântico que desperta e a palavra iluminada se dilatem para me proteger; que estas duas potências aladas não me drenem, separando-me. Que não me consuma o lenho e o fogo empilhado ao décuplo, quando o que está ligado em si mesmo avança e rói a substância da terra.

Mantra 5

न मा गरन्नद्यो मातृतमा दासा यदीं सुसमुब्धमवाधुः । शिरो यदस्य त्रैतनो वितक्षत्स्वयं दास उरो अंसावपि ग्ध ॥

Não me engoliram os rios, os mais maternais, quando os Dāsas o lançaram abaixo, bem atado, na corrente. Quando Traitana lhe decepou a cabeça, então o próprio Dāsa se agarrou ao peito e aos ombros.

Mantra 6

दीर्घतमा मामतेयो जुजुर्वान्दशमे युगे । अपामर्थं यतीनां ब्रह्मा भवति सारथिः ॥

Dīrghatamas, filho de Mamata, amadureceu na décima era; para a busca das Águas pelos buscadores, o brahman torna-se o cocheiro.

Inside Sukta 158

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The hymn opens by praising the Twins as bright, powerful ‘Rudras,’ asking them to be worthy of reverence and near at hand with protection.

  2. Development

    It develops the idea that the hymn’s spoken praise should release their riches and unfailing aid, then turns inward to a protective plea against being ‘drained apart’ by the paired ‘winged’ forces and against consuming, uncontrolled fire imagery.

  3. Climax

    The peak is the shift from external divine help to an inner technology: brahman (mantric insight) taking the role of ‘sārathi’—the charioteer—directing the seeker toward the Waters, the hidden objective.

  4. Where it settles

    It concludes with the seer’s self-identification (Dīrghatamas Māmateya) and the assurance that disciplined sacred speech can guide the quest safely, integrating protection with spiritual direction.

The deity: Aśvins

  • In the VedaThe Aśvins are the divine Twins—swift, youthful, radiant helpers—often arriving at dawn in a chariot, bringing healing, rescue, and timely aid. Here they are addressed as ‘Rudras’ (fierce/strong powers), ‘vṛṣaṇau’ (vigorous/bull-like), and ‘dasrā’ (wonder-workers), emphasizing protective force as well as beneficence.
  • Cosmic functionThey mediate transitions—night to dawn, danger to safety, sickness to wholeness—carrying the seeker across liminal states; in this hymn they also function as twin movements that convey the hymn’s riches and protection toward the worshipper and the quest toward the Waters.
  • Inner significanceThe Twins can be read as paired faculties (inspiration and articulation; breath and mind; intuition and discernment) that must work together so the practitioner is not ‘drained apart.’ The closing idea of brahman as ‘charioteer’ points to disciplined mantra-consciousness steering the seeker toward the deep, cleansing source (Āpas).

The seer

  • Dīrghatamas Āucathya (traditional attribution)Āucathya; Māmateya (son of Mamatā) · A visionary poet famed for enigmatic, symbolic hymns on cosmic order, speech, and the hidden meanings of ritual; often speaks in riddling images and self-referential frames.

Famous verses

"vasū rudrā" / "akavābhir ūtī"
Verse 1.158.1Sets the tone by addressing the Aśvins as strong, Rudra-like twin powers and explicitly asks that their help and ‘unerring protection’ flow toward the worshipper when their riches are praised.Read verse 1.158.1 →
उपस्तुतिरौचथ्यमुरुष्येन्मा मामिमे पतत्रिणी वि दुग्धाम् । मा मामेधो दशतयश्चितो धाक्प्र यद्वां बद्धस्त्मनि खादति क्षाम् ॥
Verse 1.158.4Central protective verse: the poet asks that the chant and inspired utterance widen to guard him, and that the ‘two winged’ powers not drain him apart—an important clue to the hymn’s allegorical, inner reading.Read verse 1.158.4 →
"brahmā bhavati sārathiḥ"
Verse 1.158.6Concluding revelation and signature: Dīrghatamas names himself and states that for the seekers’ quest of the Waters, brahman becomes the charioteer—linking mantra, guidance, and the mystical ‘Waters’ goal.Read verse 1.158.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin deities; swift and ‘winged’ imagery
  • Healers and rescuers; bring protection (ūtī)
  • Radiant, youthful, dawn-associated
  • Wonder-working (dasrā) and generous with riches
  • Fierce-strength aspect via Rudra-like epithets
  • Guides across thresholds and dangers

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda 1.140–1.164 (Dīrghatamas corpus, including the celebrated riddle-hymn RV 1.164)
  • Tradition connects his poetry with deep reflections on Vāc (speech), Ṛta (cosmic order), and the ‘Waters’ as a mystical goal

The rite, step by step

  • Purification (ācamana) and lighting/rekindling the household fire (if in a śrauta/gṛhya setting).
  • Opening praise naming the Twins with their strong epithets (rudrā, vṛṣaṇau, dasrā) and inviting their nearness (abhiṣṭi).
  • Recitation of the hymn with a deliberate emphasis on ‘ūtī’ (protection) and the request that their help ‘flow out’ toward the sacrificer.
  • Protective petition: verbally warding off ‘draining apart’ and destructive fire imagery—interpreted as preventing dissipation, conflict of faculties, or uncontrolled energies.
  • Concluding resolve: contemplation on brahman as the charioteer guiding the quest toward the Waters (inner recollection/meditation after recitation).
  • Closing oblation and quiet sitting, dedicating the merit to right-going movement (ṛta) and safe guidance.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • Milk or soma-substitute offerings where appropriate (Aśvin-friendly dairy offerings are traditional)
  • Water libation (āpo) as a symbolic completion aligned with the hymn’s ‘Waters’ motif

Frequently Asked Questions

Tradition attributes RV 1.158 to Dīrghatamas Āucathya, also called Māmateya (“son of Mamatā”). The last verse names him directly.

Here “Rudras” highlights their fierce, protective strength rather than changing the deity. The hymn praises the Twins as powerful guardians who can ward off harm and bring timely help.

It means sacred utterance and insight (brahman) can actively steer the seeker—like a charioteer—toward the “Waters,” a Vedic symbol for deep nourishment, purification, and the hidden source of life and knowledge.

Ask anything about Sukta 158 of the Rig Veda

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