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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 429 of 1027

Mandala 5: HYMN LXXV. Aśvins.

1.To meet your treasure-bringing car, the mighty car most dear to us, Aśvins, the Ṛṣi is prepared, your raiser, with his song of praise. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

2.Pass, O ye Aśvins, pass away beyond all tribes of selfish men, Wonderful, with your golden paths, most gracious, bringers of the flood. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

3.Come to us, O ye Aśvin Pair, bringing your precious treasures, come Ye Rudras, on your paths of gold, rejoicing, rich in store of wealth. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

4.O strong and Good, the voice of him who lauds you well cleaves to your car. And that great beast, your chariot-steed, fair, wonderful, makes dainty food. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

5.Watchful in spirit, born on cars, impetuous, listing to his cry, Aśvins, with winged steeds ye speed down to cyavana void of guile. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

6.Hither, O Heroes, let your steeds, of dappled hue, yoked at the thought, Your flying steeds, O Aśvins, bring you hitherward, with bliss, to drink. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

7.O Aśvins, hither come to us; Nāsatyas, be not disinclined. Through longing for the pious turn out of the way to reach our home. Lovers of sweetness, bear my call.

8.Ye Lords of Splendour, free from guile, come, stand at this our sacrifice. Beside the singer, Aśvins, who longs for your grace and lauds you both. Lovers of sweetness, hear my call.

9.Dawn with her white herd hath appeared, and in due time hath fire been placed. Harnessed is your immortal car, O WonderWorkers, strong and kind. Lovers of sweetness, bear my call.

Asked of Guide

Why does the Ṛṣi keep calling the Aśvins “Lovers of sweetness” in every stanza?

The Ṛṣi repeats “Lovers of sweetness” as a fixed epithet to address the Aśvins’ character and role: they are gentle, gracious divine physicians and benefactors who bring bliss, riches, and healing. The refrain binds the hymn’s images—golden paths, flying steeds, a treasure-bringing car—into a single appeal for their timely, kindly arrival.

Calling them by that name also sets the ritual tone and expectation; the singer invites generosity at the sacrifice and evokes Dawn, fire, and the chariot to show the Aśvins’ prompt, benevolent intervention. This technique resembles other Rig Veda hymns that use epithets to summon gods, as in Mandala 1 where repeated addresses fix a deity’s favored function.

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