Rig Veda Sukta 73
Mandala 7Sukta 735 Mantras

Sukta 73

Sukta 7.73

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for RV 7; internal mention in 7.73.3 supports Vasiṣṭha)

Devata

Aśvinau (Nāsatyā), the twin divine physicians/helpers

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable for RV 7.73; confirm against pada-count in critical edition)

Ang maikling himnong Triṣṭubh na ito ay nananawagan sa Aśvinau (Nāsatyā) na dumating nang mabilis mula sa bawat direksyon bilang mga tagapagligtas na nagdadala ng sumasamba sa kabilang panig ng "kadiliman" patungo sa isang mas malayong at mas ligtas na pampang. Naghahandog si Vasiṣṭha ng isang mahusay na binuo na papuri habang ang sakripisyo ay tinutuloy sa tamang mga landas, na humihiling sa kambal na manggagamot na magdala ng limang beses na kasaganaan at tuloy-tuloy na proteksyon.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.73

Mantras

Mantra 1

अतारिष्म तमसस्पारमस्य प्रति स्तोमं देवयन्तो दधानाः । पुरुदंसा पुरुतमा पुराजामर्त्या हवते अश्विना गीः ॥

Tumawid kami sa kabila ng kadilimang ito patungo sa kabilang pampang, na nagtatatag ng tumutugong himno ng pagpapatibay sa isang pagsisikap patungo sa diyos. Ang Salita ay tumatawag sa mga Asvin - na sagana sa maraming mabisang gawa, pinakasagana, ipinanganak noong unang panahon, imortal - upang sila ay dumating sa kanilang mga kapangyarihan ng liwanag na tulong.

Mantra 2

न्यु प्रियो मनुषः सादि होता नासत्या यो यजते वन्दते च । अश्नीतं मध्वो अश्विना उपाक आ वां वोचे विदथेषु प्रयस्वान् ॥

Ngayon ay umupo ang minamahal na saserdote ng tao - siya na nag-aalay at sumasamba sa inyo, O mga Nasatya. Tikman ninyo ang pulot na kasiyahan, O mga Asvin, na malapit na; at ako, na sagana sa lakas ng handog, ay magsasalita sa inyo sa mga kapulungan ng paghahanap.

Mantra 3

अहेम यज्ञं पथामुराणा इमां सुवृक्तिं वृषणा जुषेथाम् । श्रुष्टीवेव प्रेषितो वामबोधि प्रति स्तोमैर्जरमाणो वसिष्ठः ॥

Itinuloy namin ang sakripisyo sa kanyang mga landas; tanggapin ninyo ang ganitong mabuting pananalita, O mga makapangyarihan. Para bang isang kutchero na pinupukaw, si Vasiṣṭha ay nagising sa inyong dalawa, na tumutugon ng mga himno habang siya'y lumalaki sa pagkahinog ng gawain.

Mantra 4

उप त्या वह्नी गमतो विशं नो रक्षोहणा सम्भृता वीळुपाणी । समन्धांस्यग्मत मत्सराणि मा नो मर्धिष्टमा गतं शिवेन ॥

Lapit kayo, kayong dalawang tagapagdala ng liwanag na lakas, sa aming mga tao, mga pumatay sa mga masasamang tumatakip, mga handa, mga malalakas na kamay. Pumanaog ang mga bulag na kadiliman at mga paglalasing ng sarili; huwag ninyong pagsakal kami, dumating kayo sa inyong mapagpalang at gumagaling na kapangyarihan.

Mantra 5

आ पश्चातान्नासत्या पुरस्तादाश्विना यातमधरादुदक्तात् । आ विश्वतः पाञ्चजन्येन राया यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

Mula sa likuran at mula sa unahan, dumating kayo, O mga Nāsatya; mula sa ibaba at mula sa itaas, dumating kayo, O mga Aśvin. Mula sa bawat dako, dumating kayo ng kasaganaang nagpapanatili sa limang uri ng tao; sa inyong mga kapangyarihan ng kagalingan, inyong bantayan kami sa lahat ng panahon.

Inside Sukta 73

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The singers declare they have crossed beyond darkness and set a responsive hymn in motion, calling the ancient, effective Aśvins.

  2. Development

    The sacrifice is “driven along its paths,” and Vasiṣṭha presents a well-shaped utterance, urging the twins to accept and to awaken to the praise.

  3. Climax

    A total-direction invocation summons the Aśvins from every quarter with sustaining wealth for the ‘fivefold’ human community.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn seals the request as a lasting benediction: may the Aśvins protect us always with svasti (well-being).

The deity: Aśvinau

  • In the VedaThe Aśvins are the youthful twin horsemen, swift as thought, famed as physicians and rescuers who respond to urgent calls, bringing light, health, safe passage, and timely aid to mortals.
  • Cosmic functionThey mediate transitions—night to dawn, danger to safety, sickness to health—restoring wholeness and guiding the sacrificer across obstacles, often linked with the dawning of clarity and renewed vitality.
  • Inner significanceThey symbolize the paired powers of swift discernment and healing action: the inner helpers who lift the mind out of tamas (confusion/darkness) into clarity, balance, and well-being.

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (Āditya/Brāhmaṇa seer-line; traditional Vasiṣṭha family of Mandala 7) · Foremost among the Saptaṛṣi-s in Vedic tradition; renowned for powerful mantra-craft, priestly leadership (purohita), and hymns emphasizing ṛta (cosmic order) and effective divine help.

Famous verses

atāriṣma tamasas pāram asya
Verse 7.73.1Sets the hymn’s keynote: crossing beyond tamas (darkness) and establishing the answering stoma that calls the Aśvins as luminous helpers.Read verse 7.73.1 →
jaramāṇo vasiṣṭhaḥ
Verse 7.73.3Contains the internal self-identification of the seer (Vasiṣṭha) and frames the hymn as a properly guided yajña moving on its ordained paths.Read verse 7.73.3 →
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Verse 7.73.5The most comprehensive invocation: calls the Aśvins from all directions and ends with a clear protective formula of continual well-being.Read verse 7.73.5 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Twin deities (yugma)
  • Swift and far-reaching movement
  • Divine physicians and rescuers
  • Bringers of dawn-like relief and renewal
  • Respond to praise and urgent invocation
  • Protectors granting svasti (well-being) and rayi (prosperity)

Also by this seer

  • Primary seer-family of Rigveda Mandala 7 (many hymns attributed to the Vasiṣṭhas)
  • Major Agni and Indra hymns in RV 7 (e.g., RV 7.1–7.16 and other sections traditionally linked to the Vasiṣṭha lineage)
  • Later tradition associates Vasiṣṭha with foundational dharma/ṛṣi lore (e.g., Vasiṣṭha-smṛti and yoga/dharma teachings), though these are post-Rigvedic attributions

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the ritual space and kindle/maintain Agni as the carrier of offerings.
  • Recite the Aśvinau stotra: establish the ‘answering hymn’ (prati-stoma) with focused devayāna intent.
  • Invite the twins to come from all directions (front/behind, above/below), emphasizing immediacy and total protection.
  • Offer oblations while voicing requests for safe passage beyond darkness, healing, and all-round prosperity for the community.
  • Conclude with a protective blessing (svasti) and reaffirmation of ongoing guardianship.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into Agni
  • Soma (where applicable in Soma rites)
  • Milk/curds or sweet offerings (common Aśvinau associations in later ritual practice)

Frequently Asked Questions

They are the twin divine helpers known for swift rescue and healing. The hymn calls them to arrive quickly and protect the worshippers with well-being and prosperity.

On the surface it suggests moving from danger or night into safety and light. Spiritually it also points to passing beyond confusion or inner heaviness (tamas) into clarity and renewed strength through divine help.

The hymn explicitly names Vasiṣṭha (7.73.3), showing the seer as the one who ‘awakens’ the gods through well-crafted praise and keeps the sacrifice moving correctly on its paths.

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