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Upon the car, three-seated, full of riches, The helping car, that has a path all golden, On this approach, o lords of heroes, true ones, Let this food-bringing car of yours approach us.
Ye freed from his old age the man Cyav[=a]na; Ye brought and gave the charger swift to Pedu; Ye two from darkness' anguish rescued Atri; Ye set J[a=]husha down, released from fetters.[118]
This prayer, O Horsemen, and this song is uttered; Accept the skilful[sic] poem, manly heroes. These prayers, to you belonging, have ascended, O all ye gods protect us aye with blessings![119]
The sweets which the Açvins bring are either on their chariot, or, as is often related, in a bag; or they burst forth from the hoof of their steed. Pegasus' spring in Helicon has been compared with this. Their vehicles are variously pictured as birds, horses, ships, etc. It is to be noticed that in no one of their attributes are the Açvins unique. Other gods bring sweets, help, protect, give offspring, give healing medicines, and, in short, do all that the Açvins do. But, as Bergaigne points out, they do all this pacifically, while Indra, who performs some of their wonders, does so by storm. He protects by not injuring, and helps by destroying foes. Yet is this again true only in general, and the lines between warlike, peaceful, and 'sovereign' gods are often crossed.
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FOOTNOTES:
[Footnote 1: Such for instance as the hymn to the Açvins, RV. ii. 39. Compare verses 3-4: 'Come (ye pair of Açvins) like two horns; like two
