The sages, with hearts full of devotion, called upon the Ashvins, the divine twin horsemen, asking them to inspire their thoughts so that their prayers and intentions might bear fruitful results. They sought the Ashvins’ swift acceptance of their offerings, yearning that their favor might extend not only to themselves but also to their children and descendants. With the Ashvins’ blessings, they hoped to be endowed with good gifts and to reach the heights of divine worship. The people remembered the Ashvins’ ancient generosity—a treasure of friendship, sweet and freely given. With minds unhindered, the Ashvins were invited to draw near and accept the offerings placed before them among the human tribes. Their chariot, yoked with seven splendid horses, circled in unity, never tiring, its divine steeds swift and sure as they carried the Ashvins across the heavens. The Ashvins were asked to be generous to those who themselves were bountiful, who gave gifts and spread kindness among kin, filling homes with cattle and horses. To such generous souls, the Ashvins were entreated to grant even more riches. The sages called out: “Hear us, O youthful Ashvins! Come along the prosperous path, bestowing treasures and long life upon the noble. Always protect us with your blessings.” With reverence, the Ashvins were invited to come shining in their own chariot, wondrous and youthful, delighting in the offerings prepared for them. Special draughts had been readied, intoxicating and sweet, and the Ashvins were urged to come swiftly and partake, to pass through the sacred rites as hearers of prayer. Their chariot was said to move with the speed of thought, crossing vast spaces a hundredfold, and the people wished that it might bring them the wealth of the sun itself. Upon the high mountain, the sacred soma was revealed for the Ashvins, and the inspired priest stood ready to offer oblations. Their food, wondrous and abundant, was shared with the mighty and the worthy, and those who cherished the Ashvins’ favor became dear to them. The people recalled how the Ashvins had accepted an offering made for Chyavana, restoring his form and youth as a fitting sacrifice. They remembered, too, how the Ashvins had rescued Bhujyu, abandoned by his companions in the midst of the ocean—how the youthful Ashvins had come to his aid. Even for the helpless, like a wolf or the weak, the Ashvins were renowned for their compassion; they brought sleep to the weary and filled the waters for the cows, displaying their divine powers. The poet, wise among the dawns, praised the Ashvins with hymns and good thoughts, hoping to be nourished like a calf by the cow’s milk, and asked for continual protection. The Ashvins’ chariot, golden and shining, bound to heaven and earth, was drawn by strong horses. Its axle gleamed, and the lord of the steeds brought nourishment to all. Their chariot, spreading wide, traversed the five regions, triple-yoked and harnessed to the mind itself. With it, the Ashvins visited the divine peoples, establishing their presence wherever they wished. Near at hand, with splendid horses, the Ashvins were invited to drink the honeyed treasure, their chariot—sometimes drawn by a bride—overcoming even the boundaries of heaven. The radiant daughter of the sun chose the Ashvins’ glory, just as the sun chooses the dawn. When someone sought the gods, the Ashvins, with their powers and swift wings, aided him. Their charioteer, traveling with the dawn, drove the chariot around its course, and with him the people prayed for happiness at the breaking of day. Like thirsty cows seeking lightning, the Ashvins were summoned to the pressing of the soma. Many called upon them with their thoughts, and the people prayed that no one would restrain the divine twins from coming. The Ashvins’ flying horses, swift and tireless, had once carried Bhujyu safely across the sea, saving him from peril. Again, the people called: “Hear us, O youthful Ashvins! Come to us along the path of strength, grant us treasures, let us grow in abundance, and always protect us with your blessings.” The Ashvins were revered as all-beneficent, their place on earth well known. Like the swift horse Shunaprishta, who stood firm when the Ashvins established the seat for the steadfast, the Ashvins brought stability and strength. Their favor was ever ready to help, and even the warmth of a man in his home was said to assist. Those who guided the Ashvins across oceans and rivers, with well-yoked teams, attained their blessings. The Ashvins set places in the heavens, among herbs and in the fields, resting on the mountain’s summit, carrying these blessings for the worshipper. Their favor was found among herbs and waters; when they reached the worthy deeds of the sages, they granted many treasures and recounted the deeds of former generations. The Ashvins listened to many prayers, observing the praises of the sages. They were called to come forth for the best among people, to let their favor be ready for the devotees. Their sacrifice, with offerings and composed hymns, became noble. The hymns, newly composed, were recited for the Ashvins, and the people prayed that these thoughts and songs would be accepted with joy, asking always for the Ashvins’ protection. As dawn drove away darkness, clearing the path, the people invoked the Ashvins for wealth in horses and cattle, by day and night, seeking their protection from harm. The Ashvins were asked to come near to the worshipping mortal, carrying gifts in their chariot, defending all from distress and disease, and to shield everyone with their honeyed protection. At dawn, the Ashvins’ chariot was brought by the strong ones, guided by favorable thoughts, adorned with golden harness and deathless yokes, bringing wealth to the people. Their royal chariot, three-poled and rich in wealth and cattle, was called upon to bring universal benefit. The Ashvins’ deeds were remembered: freeing Cyavana from old age and carrying him with their swift horse; rescuing Atri from distress and darkness; and restoring Jahusha from the cold within the house. The people offered their prayers and hymns, rising like the sun to the mountain, hoping the youthful Ashvins would accept their praise and always protect them. The Ashvins were invited to come with their chariot, rich in cattle and drawn by shining horses, surrounded by attendants adorned with splendid beauty. The people called them near, in harmony and delight, acknowledging the Ashvins as ancestral friends and kin, the source of their wealth. The praises for the Ashvins rose up along with the hymns and the divine dawns. The priest called to them, inviting the two worlds and the sacred seats to join in worship. As the dawns spread out, poets carried the hymns of the Ashvins, and the god Savitar raised his radiance high, while the great fires blazed with kindling. The Ashvins were called from every direction—from behind and before, from below and above—asked to bring the wealth of the five peoples and always to protect their devotees with blessings.