aśvinā yajvarīriṣo dravatpāṇī śubhaspatī । purubhujā canasyatam ॥१॥ aśvinā purudaṃsasā narā śavīrayā dhiyā । dhiṣṇyā vanataṃ giraḥ ॥२॥ dasrā yuvākavaḥ sutā nāsatyā vṛktabarhiṣaḥ । ā yātaṃ rudravartanī ॥३॥ indrā yāhi citrabhāno sutā ime tvāyavaḥ । aṇvībhistanā pūtāsaḥ ॥४॥ indrā yāhi dhiyeṣito viprajūtaḥ sutāvataḥ । upa brahmāṇi vāghataḥ ॥५॥ indrā yāhi tūtujāna upa brahmāṇi harivaḥ । sute dadhiṣva naścanaḥ ॥६॥ omāsaścarṣaṇīdhṛto viśve devāsa ā gata । dāśvāṃso dāśuṣaḥ sutam ॥७॥ viśve devāso apturaḥ sutamā ganta tūrṇayaḥ । usrā iva svasarāṇi ॥८॥ viśve devāso asridha ehimāyāso adruhaḥ । medhaṃ juṣanta vahnayaḥ ॥९॥ pāvakā naḥ sarasvatī vājebhirvājinīvatī । yajñaṃ vaṣṭu dhiyāvasuḥ ॥१०॥ codayitrī sūnṛtānāṃ cetantī sumatīnām । yajñaṃ dadhe sarasvatī ॥११॥ maho arṇaḥ sarasvatī pra cetayati ketunā । dhiyo viśvā vi rājati ॥१२॥
“Hymn to the Aśvins, Indra, the Viśvedevas and Sarasvatī, lauded as the Soma is pressed — 12 verses. (after R.T.H. Griffith)”
Scholarly Commentary
This hymn illustrates the progressive dissolution of apparent multiplicity into the singular reality of Brahman. The initial deities, Aśvins and Indra, represent limited conscious projections, distinct focal points of attention within the mind. As the verses advance, the field of vision expands until 'Viśvedevā' (all gods) are invoked, symbolizing the total cosmic mind or the universal substrate of existence. The reference to Sarasvatī in later verses signifies *Vā* or primordial sound, the vibrational aspect of consciousness that precedes form. The imagery of Soma pressing and oblation burning serves as a metaphor for the internal alchemy of *Viveka* (discernment), where the ego's fragmented desires are dissolved. The call for all devas to approach without hostility represents the state of *Samadhi*, where all duality—subject and object, worshipper and worshipped—ceases. The 'great disc' of Sarasvatī enlightening all minds points to the non-dual awareness that radiates without source or destination. The verse does not describe external rituals but maps the inner journey from the many to the One, where the individual self recognizes itself as the infinite, undifferentiating ground of being, free from the constraints of time and form.
Within the devotional framework, this *sūktam* is viewed as a comprehensive praise of the diverse aspects of the Supreme Lord. The Aśvins, often considered aspects of protective divinity, and Indra, the sovereign of heaven, are understood as minor deities administered by the supreme consciousness for cosmic order. They are not ultimate entities but manifestations of the Lord’s energy (*Śakti*) to guide souls. The transition to addressing the *Viśvedevā* signifies the all-encompassing nature of the Divine, who pervades all existence. Sarasvatī is revered here not merely as a river but as the embodiment of *Vidyā* (divine knowledge) and creative power, flowing from the absolute source. The emphasis on the Soma sacrifice highlights the importance of internal off-erings (*nisti*) where the devotee’s ego is surrendered. The call for the gods to approach with 'pure' minds reflects the necessity of *bhakti* (devotion) as the means to realize the Divine will. The hymn teaches that all divine forms are but rays of the one Golden Dancer, and by honoring the many, the soul ultimately rallies its scattered energies towards a unified, resolute devotion to the singular, liberating truth of the Highest Self.
From a contemporary philological and anthropological perspective, this hymn serves as a vital record of early Indo-Aryan ritual ecology and social structure. It captures a transitional moment in religious history where fire-sacrifice (*yajña*) is central, mediated by the Soma ritual. The deity names reflect a complex pantheon that likely corresponded to specific ecological or social functions: Aśvins as healers or dawn-bringers, Indra as storm-god, and Sarasvatī as a life-giving river deified for its agricultural and symbolic purity. The verses reveal the priestly class's role as intermediaries, using precise language to invoke cosmic order (*ṛta*). The mention of 'pure' women and 'broad-minded' priests suggests a societal hierarchy where ritual correctness was paramount for community cohesion. Rather than metaphysical speculation, the text emphasizes the material and social benefits of ritual: protection, fertility, and prosperity. It illustrates how language was perceived as a potent force capable of reshaping reality. The progression from individual gods to 'all gods' may indicate a broadening of patronage to ensure comprehensive cosmic support, reflecting a pragmatic worldview where divine cooperation was essential for survival in a challenging environment.