Translations of Rig Veda Suktas 33-121 by M.P. Pandit

HYMN 117

Rishi: KAKSHIVAN Deity: ASHVINS

1. O Ashvins, your ancient worshipper invites ye hither to gladden ye with the sweet Soma; spread over the grass is the offering, the hymn is well-knit. O Nasatyas, with power and affluences come hither.

2. O Ashvins, in your car which, swifter than thought, drawn by good steeds, comes to the people, by which ye repair to the dwelling of the good, come thereon, O leaders, to our abode.

3. O leaders, showerers, ye freed sage Atri of fivefold birth with his host, from the wicked prison baffling the guiles of the evil Dasyu, drawing out in succession (the hidden malignant devices).

Fivefold birth: born of the five principles of anna, prana, manas, vijnana, ananda.

Host: senses - outer and inner.

4. O Ashvins, leaders, showerers, rescuing Rebha cast by unassailable (enemies) in waters, ye made whole the Rishi, like woundud steed, with your (healing) skills. Your past deeds do not fade.

5. O Ashvins, wonder-workers, ye brought up Vandana, asleep as it were, in the bosom of Evil or like the sun dwelling in darkness, - like fair gold that has been buried, for display.

6. O Nasatyas, leaders, that deed of yours is to be celebrated by Kakshivan, son of Pajra, when from the hoof of your fleet steed ye filled a hundred jars with honey for the dependent.

7. O Ashvins, leaders, ye restored his son Vishnapu to Vishvaku, son of Krishna, who praised ye. Also ye gave a husband to Ghosha aging in her father’s dwelling.

8. To Shyava, O Ashvins, ye gave lustre; to Kanva living somewhere, brilliance; O showerers, that deed of yours is to be celebrated when ye gave hearing to the son of Nrishad.

9. O Ashvins, wearing many forms, ye gave to Pedu a swift steed, bringing a thousand (treasures), powerful, irresistible, slayer of foes, Hearing-born, carrier (across dangers).

10. Liberal donors, Ashwins, these your deeds are worth hearing. Of ye who are in the form of Earth and Heaven, the resounding hymn is the habitation. When the descendents of Pajra invoke ye, ye go with power and give strength to him who knows.

11. O Ashvins, nourishers, lauded filially, vouchsafing prosperity to the wise one (Bharadwaja), increasing in Agastya by the hymn, O Nasatyas, ye made Vishpala whole.

12. O sons of Heaven, showerers, savers of Shayu, o Ashvins, receiving the fair praise of Kavya, where did ye raise up Rebha on the tenth day like a buried jar with gold?

13. O Ashvins, with your powers ye restored to youth the aging Chyavana. And O Nasatyas, the Daughter of the Sun favoured your car with her glory.

14. Dissipators of afflictions, in your ancient manner (of helping) ye again became praiseworthy to Tugra. Ye brought Bhujyu safe from the sea of billows with swift steeds of straight gait.

15. O Ashvins, the son of Tugra, brought back to his father from immersion in the sea, uninjured, invoked ye. Thought-swift, showerers, ye bore him safe in your well-harnessed car.

16. The quail had invocated ye, O Ashvins, when ye freed her from the mouth of the wolf. Ye scaled the top of the mountain in your conquering chariot. Ye killed the son of Vishvach with poison.

17. Ye restored eyes to Rijrasva who was blinded by his wicked father for offering a hundred sheep to the she-wolf; light to the blind ye gave for perfect vision.

18. Wishing envigorating joy to the blinded, the shewolf called out: O Ashvins, showerers, leaders, like a youthful paramour Rijrasva has cut piecemeal a hundred and one sheep (for me).

19. Ashvins, your mighty protection is the fount of bliss, worthy of praise. Ye have made whole the maimed. Therefore has the much-wise (Ghosha) called ye. Showerers, come hither with your succours.

20. O Ashvins, skilful workers, ye filled the emaciated, barren, milkless Cow with milk for Shayu. With your powers be brought to Vimada, the daughter of Purumitra as wife.

21. O Ashvins, skilful workers, ploughing and sowing grain, pouring the force of impulsion, striking away Dasyu with the shining thunderbolt, ye have created vast light for the striving man.

Grain: to sustain the annamaya body. Force of impulsion in the pranamaya.

22. O Ashvins, skilled workers, ye replaced with the horse’s head (the head of) Dadhyan, son of Atharvan. Truthful, he revealed to ye the Madhu Vidya, Twashtri’s secret.

23. O Ashvins, seers, I ever solicit your favour; guard ye my thoughts prayerful; O Nasatyas, grant us wealth abundant and laudable, lasting for progeny.

24. O leaders, rejoicing, ye gave a son, Hiranyahasta, to Vadhrimati; O Ashvins, bounteous givers, ye restored to life the triply mutilated Shyava.

Mutilated in the three bodies of anna, prana and manas.

25. O Ashyins, those your ancient heroic deeds have our forefathers proclaimed. O showerers, we too, heroic, hymning your praise, celebrate the advent of Knowledge.