The Burning Pit

The singers of the Ṛgveda, praising the twin gods the Aśvins for the help they had given men of old, told more than once what they had done for Atri.

Atri had been let down into a pit of fire, the ṛbīsa, and a cruel enemy, whom the hymns do not name, had worked his magic against him, and the heat was burning round him. The Aśvins kept off the scorching flame with cold. They gave him food that strengthened him. And they drew him up out of the pit, him and all his company, safe and well.

So the singers called to them: You two heroes set free from distress the seer Atri of the five peoples, the tribes of men, and brought him out of the pit with his band, breaking the magic of the cruel enemy. To Atri, let down into the burning, you gave refreshment and comfort. You made the burning pit pleasant for Atri.