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Rig Veda · 339 of 1027
Mandala 4: HYMN XLIII. Aśvins.
1.WHO will hear, who of those who merit worship, which of all Gods take pleasure in our homage? On whose heart shall we lay this laud celestial, rich with fair offerings, dearest to Immortals?
2.Who will be gracious? Who will come most quickly of all the Gods? Who will bring bliss most largely? What car do they call swift with rapid coursers? That which the Daughter of the Sun elected.
3.So many days do ye come swiftly hither, as Indra to give help in stress of battle. Descended from the sky, divine, strong-pinioned, by which of all your powers are ye most mighty?
4.What is the prayer that we should bring you, Aśvins, whereby ye come to us when invocated? Whether of you confronts e’en great betrayal? Lovers of sweetness, Dasras, help and save us.
5.In the wide space your chariot reacheth heaven, what time it turneth hither from the ocean. Sweets from your sweet shall drop, lovers of sweetness! These have they dressed for you as dainty viands.
6.Let Sindhu with his wave bedew your horses: in fiery glow have the red birds come hither. Observed of all was that your rapid going, whereby ye were the Lords of Sūrya’s Daughter.
7.Whene’er I gratified you here together, your grace was given us, O ye rich in booty. Protect, ye Twain, the singer of your praises: to you, Nāsatyas, is my wish directed.
Asked of Guide
Why do the worshippers ask the Aśvins which god 'takes pleasure in our homage'?
The hymn is testing which divine presence will accept and respond to their ritual; the singers seek the particular god who will “take pleasure in our homage” so their offerings achieve effect. The Aśvins are appealed to repeatedly as swift, benevolent rescuers—“lovers of sweetness”—whose arrival and grace the poet wants to secure for protection and success.
This chapter treats ritual efficacy as specific and selective: a proper recipient makes the sacrifice fruitful, and the question frames the Aśvins as candidates because of their famed quick help and gifts. The scene echoes other Rigveda hymns where naming and praising a deity invites their presence, similar to how Mandala 1 petitions Indra for timely aid.
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