Rig Veda · 630 of 1027
Mandala 8: HYMN X. Aśvins.
1.WHETHER ye travel far away or dwell in yonder light of heaven, Or in a mansion that is built above the sea, come thence, ye Aśvins, hitherward.
2.Or if for Manu.ye prepared the sacrifice, remember also Kaṇva’s son. I call Bṛhaspati, Indra, Viṣṇu, all the gods, the Aśvins borne by rapid steeds.
3.Those Aśvins I invoke who work marvels, brought hither to receive, With whom our friendship is most famed, and kinship passing that of Gods.
4.On whom the solemn rites depend, whose worshippers rise without the Sun: These who foreknow the holy work of sacrifice, and by their Godhead drink the sweets of Soma juice.
5.Whether ye, Lords of ample wealth, now linger in the cast or west, With Druhyu, or with Anu, Yadu, Turvaga, I call you hither; come to me.
6.Lords of great riches, whether through the firmament ye fly or speed through heaven and earth, Or with your Godlike natures stand upon your cars, come thence, O Aśvins, hitherward.
Asked of Guide
Why does the hymn insist the Aśvins come here from different realms and peoples?
The hymn repeatedly summons the Aśvins from every sphere—heaven, sea, distant peoples—because they are mediators who bridge worlds and social boundaries; lines like “brought hither to receive” and “borne by rapid steeds” stress their mobility and accessibility. The poet locates their power in movement and relationship: they “foreknow the holy work of sacrifice” and share Soma’s sweetness with worshippers, so their presence completes the ritual.
This portrait matches how other Vedic hymns treat the Aśvins as rescuers and guests who bring blessing; see Rig Veda Mandala 10 hymns where the twins’ arrivals heal and restore. Calling them from every quarter—Anu, Druhyu, Yadu—asserts that no clan or corner is outside the sacrificial network that they unite.
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