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Rig Veda · 695 of 1027
Mandala 8: HYMN LXXV. Aśvins.
1.YE Twain are wondrous strong, well-skilled in arts that heal, both bringers of delight, ye both won Dakṣa’s praise. Viśvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
2.How shall he praise you now who is distraught in mind? Ye Twain give wisdom for the gainof what is good. Viśvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
3.Already have ye Twain, possessors of great wealth, prospered Viṣṇāpū thus for gain of what is good. Viśvaka calls on you as such to save his life. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
4.And that Impetuous Hero, winner of the spoil, though he is far away, we call to succour us, Whose gracious favour, like a father’s, is most sweet. Break ye not off our friendship, come and set me free.
5.About the holy Law toils Savitar the God the horn of holy Law hath he spread far and wide. The holy Law hath quelled even mighty men of war. Break ye not off our ftiendship, come and act me free.
Asked of Guide
Why do the worshippers keep asking the Aśvins to 'break ye not off our friendship'?
The hymn shows the Aśvins as recurring rescuers whom the community depends on: they “save his life,” give “wisdom for the gain of what is good,” and have “prospered Viṣṇāpū.” Repeating “Break ye not off our friendship” is a ritual plea to keep their protective, beneficent relationship intact so aid will continue.
The refrain ties personal need to cosmic order—Savitar and the “horn of holy Law” uphold ṛta, the rightness that secures society and warriors. This pattern resembles hymns in the Rigveda where repeated petitions secure ongoing divine favor, similar to how in other hymns gods are invoked repeatedly to sustain a covenantal bond.
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