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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 292 of 1027

Mandala 3: HYMN LVIII. Aśvins.

1.THE Ancient’s Milch-cow yields the things we long for: the Son of Dakṣiṇā travels between them. She with the splendid chariot brings refulgence. The praise of Uṣas hath awoke the Aśvins.

2.They bear you hither by well-orderd statute: our sacred offerings rise as if to parents. Destroy in us the counsel of the niggard come hitherward, for we have shown you favour.

3.With lightly-rolling car and well-yoked horses hear this, the press-stone’s song, ye Wonder-Workers. Have not the sages of old time, ye Aśvins, called you most prompt to come and stay misfortune?

4.Remember us, and come to us, for ever men, as their wont is, invocate the Aśvins. Friends as it were have offered you these juices, sweet, blent with milk at the first break of morning.

5.Even through many regions, O ye Aśvins high praise is yours among mankind, ye Mighty- Come, helpers, on the paths which Gods have travelled: here your libations of sweet meath are ready.

6.Ancient your home, auspicious is your friendship: Heroes, your wealth is with the house of Jahnu. Forming again with you auspicious friendship, let us rejoice with draughts of meath together.

7.O Aśvins, Very Mighty ones, with Vāyu and with his steeds, one-minded, ever-youthful, Nāsatyas, joying in the third day’s Soma, drink it, not hostile, Very Bounteous Givers.

8.Aśvins, to you are brought abundant viands in rivalry with sacred songs, unceasing. Sprung from high Law your car, urged on by press-stones, goes round the earth and heaven in one brief moment.

9.Aśvins, your Soma sheds delicious sweetness: drink ye thereof and come unto our dwelling. Your car, assuming many a shape, most often goes to the Soma-presser’s place of meeting.

Asked of Guide

Why do the Aśvins keep being invited to drink Soma and come to the dwelling?

The hymn frames the Aśvins as timely, helpful divine physicians whose presence restores prosperity and order; lines call them “Very Bounteous Givers” and ask them to “come unto our dwelling” so they may share Soma’s sweetness and blessings. The repeated invitations — “remember us, and come to us” — register both ritual practice (offering libations at dawn) and a plea for the Aśvins to renew friendship, wealth, and protection for the household.

This chapter treats Soma as a bridge between worshippers and the gods: the press-stone’s song, libations “blent with milk,” and the car that “goes round the earth and heaven” tie cosmic motion to domestic ritual. For a complementary reading about gods arriving through libation and restoring order, see Kinsley’s book The Aśvins, which emphasizes their role as youthful restorers and healers in Vedic ritual.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.