Agastya, the mighty seer, once labored with spades, seeking offspring, strength, and the flourishing of his lineage. Through his efforts, he nourished both races—human and divine—and by his devotion, he attained true blessings among the gods. Turning to the divine Ashvins, the twin horsemen, the hymns recall how their realms, swift steeds, and chariot are granted to the faithful when they travel the sacred paths. Their golden filter pours forth, mingling with the honeyed dawn, as they partake of the offering. The Ashvins never neglect the noble worshipper who seeks their favor; their radiant sister, the Dawn, brings them universal praise, longing for strength and the sweet drink. It is they who placed milk in the cow’s udder, the ancient and ripe gift. When the pure sacrificer calls to them amidst the forests, offering oblations, he honors them with devotion. The Ashvins have chosen the honeyed warmth for the guest, just as waters find their channel, and so cattle seek them, with honey flowing as smoothly as wheels along the road. For their generosity, the singer yearns to turn with the strength of a bull, praising their greatness, attended by the waters and the earth. When the Ashvins harness their generous steeds, they send forth nourishment and strength, swift as the wind, bestowing greatness and vigor on the wise and willing. The singers proclaim the Ashvins’ truth, for the reward is assured; their paths are ever blameless, always leading to the divine. Day after day, the Ashvins follow the course of time at the stream of the mighty one. Agastya, renowned among men, shines forth in their company, radiant as a craftsman with a thousand works. When the Ashvins advance in the grandeur of their chariot, they move swiftly, like a skilled priest, granting treasures to the wise and to their own steeds, so that all may be rich. Their chariot is invoked today with hymns for new prosperity; with unbroken wheels, it traverses the heavens, bringing longevity and knowledge to the people. The worshippers ask: what is the most beloved among riches, when the sacrificers raise up the waters? The sacrifice itself has made the Ashvins’ praise resound, for they are the protectors, givers of wealth, and guardians of the people. Their horses are pure, rich in milk, swift as the wind, and royal in bearing; they bring the Ashvins speedily to those who call. The Ashvins’ chariot, like an unceasing river, is strong and fit for prosperity, swifter than thought and foremost among the worshipful. Born here, flawless in form and name, one of the Ashvins is victorious and wise, the other, blessed, is the son of heaven. Their cows, brown and dappled, follow the path, reaching the dwellings, while the horses, filled with strength, draw the resounding chariot through the realms. Their bull, like autumn, moves forward, distributing ancient gifts and seeking honey, and the rivers, upright, come at their call. The ancient poet has sent forth the Ashvins’ song, threefold and flowing; they help those who praise them, never abandoning the faithful and always hearing the call. Their shining forms are praised in song upon the sacred grass, their strong bull-cloud fills with power, and the milk of the cow delights the people. Just as Pūṣan, the wise, never grows old, so the Ashvins’ worshipper, filled with offerings, calls upon them, praying for longevity and flourishing for the people. The skill of invoking the Ashvins has arisen anew; their strong chariot is adorned, and the wise rejoice in their presence. Divine helpers, inspirers of thought, givers of wealth, sons of heaven, pure in vows and deeds—they are most like Indra and the Maruts, wondrous and powerful, the best charioteers. They bear a chariot filled with honey, coming swiftly to the worshipper. The hymns ask: what do the Ashvins seek here? Whom among men do they honor today? They are called upon to cross over, heal, restore life to the fallen, and bring light to the sage for his utterance. The Ashvins are asked to drive away the howling, greedy wolf and strike down foes in contests, making every singer’s speech rich in gifts, granting both praise and protection. They once made a self-moving, winged boat for Tugra’s son, by which, with divine mind, they carried him swiftly over mighty floods. Tugra’s son, cast down among the waters, in darkness and without support, was carried across by four boats, guided by the Ashvins and favored by the unborn child. When he sought refuge, he embraced a tree standing in the midst of the waters; like the branches of a falling leaf, the Ashvins carried him to safety and hearing. The worshippers pray that the Ashvins’ help always be near, in whatever measure they declare, so that from the seat of Soma, the people may be long-lived and flourishing. The Ashvins are called to harness that which is swifter than the mind—a three-yoked, strong, three-wheeled chariot—by which they come to the home of the well-doer, flying with triple speed like winged birds. When their well-fitted chariot stands at the navel of the earth, and they follow the path of power, the beautiful song of praise seeks to join them—the daughters of heaven, the dawns, united in their journey. The Ashvins are asked to stand on their chariot, full of offerings and moving according to their vows, seeking the path for offspring and themselves. The hymns seek protection: may neither wolf nor she-wolf assail the Ashvins, may they not turn aside or be harmed. The share and the song are set apart for them, along with treasures of honey. They are called by Gotama and Atri, the much-praising seers, and like a guide leading straight to the goal, the Ashvins are asked to come to the invocation. The worshippers declare that they have crossed beyond the farthest darkness, and to the Ashvins this praise is offered. They are invited to come by the paths of the gods, so that the people may be long-lived and flourishing. Every day, and for all time, the Ashvins are invoked as the fire is kindled at dawn with hymns, wherever they may be, sons of heaven and bestowers of gifts. The strong ones are asked to gladden the worshippers, to drive away the greedy and delight in the flowing wave, to hear the words with understanding. For beauty, Pūṣan is invoked as a craftsman for the gods, and the Ashvins are asked to bear the chariot of Sūryā. Their praises are born in the waters, their yokes well-joined like Varuṇa’s fetters. The sweet favor of the Ashvins is sought, and their hymn of praise is offered by the worthy singer. As their fame spreads, the peoples rejoice in heroic strength. This hymn, composed for the Ashvins with honor and splendid praise, calls them along the path for the son and for the self, inviting them to delight in Agastya’s words. The worshippers declare they have crossed beyond darkness; for the Ashvins, this hymn is set forth. They are called to come by the divine paths, so that the people may be found long-living and vigorous.