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

HYMN 46

Rishi : PRASKANVA Deity: USHAS

1. Here comes Ushas, beloved of Heaven, fresh and lighting up; O Ashvins, I laud ye high.

Ashvins are known for their love of Ushas; daughter of Heaven, she is the spouse of the Ashvins.

2. Ashvins, diligent in their tasks, children of the ocean, making felicities accessible through the mind, finding the Substance with thought.

The Ashvins obtain the divine riches beyond the reach of the mind; they have the thought that knows their source.

3. When your car with steeds reaches the celebrated heavens, then are your glories proclaimed.

4. O Ashvins, the lover of creative energies (Agni) fills (the Gods) with oblations. So filling, the guardian oversees the home.

5. O lovers of lauds, Ashvins, drink ye the exhilarating Soma that animates your minds.

6. O Ashvins, grant us the luminous impulsion that carries us through beyond the darkness.

7. Come as a boat to reach beyond the thoughts of the mind; yoke, O Ashvins, your car.

8. Your boat is vaster than the heaven. Your car is on the shore of the oceans. By the thought the Somas have been yoked.

The Somas unite with the holding intelligence.

9. O Kanvas, the Somas proceed from the heaven, the treasure of Substance is in the waters. Where, O Ashvins, do ye wish to manifest your form?

As is well-known, the origin of Soma is in heaven. The ocean is rich with the infinite Substance. Sons of the Waters, the Ashvins, know the treasure, drink the Soma. So asks the sacrificer:“Where do ye seek to manifest and establish yourselves, - in the ocean where the treasure lies or in the heavens where is Soma?”

If the Kanvas addressed are taken to mean the Ashvins, then the meaning becomes clear.

The Rishis call the Deity with their own name. The plural is used in worship. Kanvas means sons of Kanva. Praskanva, it may be remembered, is son of Kanva.

What the Rishi purports to say is this: the treasure is indeed there in the ocean; the Soma is ready for ye in the heaven. Come ye soon and reveal your form.

10. There was light to irradiate the ray; the sun became golden; appearing dark, Agni lighted up with his tongue.

The hour of the break of the Truth-Light has arrived; hence the Ashwins are invoked to be ready to take their stations.

The Light hitherto invisible, becomes manifest in its ray.

Before the light of the sun, Agni appears dark.

11. The fit path was ready to reach the shores of Truth. The flow from the heaven was notably marked. Hence the arrival of the Ashvins was near.

12. The worshipper extols in full whatever is done for his increase by the Ashvins in their delight of Soma poured by him.

13. Givers of felicity, dwellers in light, come to me, as to Manu, to drink the Soma and accept our praise.

14. Following the radiances of your circumambience, Ushas has arrived. Ye have partaken with the nights the glories of Truth.

Nights are states of obscurity. To bring out from their womb all objects and experiences into light is the function of the Ashvins. Hence their delightful participation with the nights enwombing the felicities of Truth.

15. O Ashvins, drink ye both the Soma. Grant our weal through your inviolable protection.