Vedic Slokas and their Explanations - Hymn -3 Ashwin

Ashwin also known as Aswayuja, is the seventh month of the lunisolar Hindu calendar.

Several major festivals take place in Ashvin. Those are as follows:

Navratri (1-9 Ashvin)
Durga Puja (6-10 Ashvin)
Kojagiri Pornima (15 Ashvin)
Vijayadashami or Dussehra (10 Ashvin)
Divali festival including Dhanteras (28 Ashvin), Naraka Chaturdasi (29 Ashvin) and Lakshmi Puja (Last day of Ashvin)
Kali Puja (new moon of Ashvin), which are held as per the lunar calendar, usually fall in this month.

ashvinA yajvarIriSo dravatpANI shubhas patI
purubhujAcanasyatam

ashvinA purudaMsasA narA shavIrayA dhiyA
dhiSNyA vanataM giraH

dasrA yuvAkavaH sutA nAsatyA vRktabarhiSaH
A yAtaMrudravartanI

indrA yAhi citrabhAno sutA ime tvAyavaH
aNvIbhistanA pUtAsaH

indrA yAhi dhiyeSito viprajUtaH sutAvataH
upa brahmANi vAghataH

indrA yAhi tUtujAna upa brahmANi harivaH
sute dadhiSvanashcanaH

omAsashcarSaNIdhRto vishve devAsa A gata
dAshvAMso dAshuSaH sutam

vishve devAso apturaH sutamA ganta tUrNayaH
usrA ivasvasarANi

vishve devAso asridha ehimAyAso adruhaH
medhaM juSanta vahnayaH

pAvakA naH sarasvatI vAjebhirvAjinIvatI
yaj�aM vaSTu dhiyAvasuH

codayitrI sUnRtAnAM cetantI sumatInAm
yaj�aM dadhe sarasvatI

maho arNaH sarasvatI pra cetayati ketunA
dhiyo vishvA vi rAjati
HYMN III. Asvins

1. YE Asvins, rich in treasure, Lords of splendour, having nimble hands,
   Accept the sacrificial food.

2. Ye Asvins, rich in wondrous deeds, ye heroes worthy of our praise,
   Accept our songs with mighty thought.

3. Nasatyas, wonder-workers, yours are these libations with clipt grass:
   Come ye whose paths are red with flame.

4. O Indra marvellously bright, come, these libations long for thee,
   Thus by fine fingers purified.

5. Urged by the holy singer, sped by song, come, Indra, to the prayers,
   Of the libation-pouring priest.

6. Approach, O Indra, hasting thee, Lord of Bay Horses, to the prayers.
   In our libation take delight.

7. Ye Visvedevas, who protect, reward, and cherish men, approach
   Your worshipper's drink-offering.

8. Ye Visvedevas, swift at work, come hither quickly to the draught,
   As milch-kine hasten to their stalls.

9. The Visvedevas, changing shape like serpents, fearless, void of guile,
   Bearers, accept the sacred draught

10. Wealthy in spoil, enriched with hymns, may bright Sarsavati desire,
    With eager love, our sacrifice.

11. Inciter of all pleasant songs, inspirer o all gracious thought,
    Sarasvati accept our rite.

12. Sarasvati, the mighty flood,--she with be light illuminates,
    She brightens every pious thought.