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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 260 of 1027

Mandala 3: HYMN XXVI. Agni.

1.REVERING in our heart Agni Vaiśvānara, the finder of the light, whose promises are true, The liberal, gladsome, car-borne God we Kuśikas invoke him with oblation, seeking wealth with songs.

2.That Agni, bright, Vaiśvānara, we invoke for help, and Mātariśvan worthy of the song of praise; Bṛhaspati for man’s observance of the Gods, the Singer prompt to hear, the swiftly-moving guest.

3.Age after age Vaiśvānara, neighing like a horse, is kindled with the women by the Kuśikas. May Agni, he who wakes among Immortal Gods, grant us heroic strength and wealth in noble steeds.

4.Let them go forth, the strong, as flames of fire with might. Gathered for victory they have yoked their spotted deer. Pourers of floods, the Maruts, Masters of all wealth, they who can ne’er be conquered, make the mountains shake.

5.The Maruts, Friends of men, are glorious as the fire: their mighty and resplendent succour we implore. Those storming Sons of Rudra clothed in robes of rain, boon-givers of good gifts, roar as the lions roar.

6.We, band on band and troop following troop, entreat with fair lauds Agni’s splendour and the Maruts’ might, With spotted deer for steeds, with wealth that never fails, they, wise Ones, come to sacrifice at our gatherings.

7.Agni am I who know, by birth, all creatures. Mine eye is butter, in my mouth is nectar. I am light threefold, measurer of the region exhaustless heat am I, named burnt-oblation.

8.Bearing in mind a thought with light accordant, he purified the Sun with three refinings; By his own nature gained the highest treasure, and looked abroad over the earth and heaven.

9.The Spring that fails not with a hundred streamlets, Father inspired of prayers that men should utter, The Sparkler, joyous in his Parents’ bosorn, -him, the Truth-speaker, sate ye, Earth and Heaven.

Asked of Guide

Why does Agni speak in first person in verses 7–8 of this hymn?

Verses 7–8 put Agni in a self-declaration voice to claim functions and sacred identity: ‘‘Agni am I who know, by birth, all creatures’’ and ‘‘I am light threefold, measurer of the region’’ announce his roles as knower, purifier, and cosmic measurer. The first-person voice transforms Agni from ritual fire into a living principle present at sacrifice, knowledge, and the shaping of heaven and earth.

This rhetorical move echoes other Vedic hymns that let a deity define itself to bind worship, action, and world-order together; compare the Self‑identifying hymns in the Upanishads, where a speaker like Prajāpati or the Atman names functions to establish authority. In this hymn the ‘‘I’’ makes Agni the active mediator who brings nectar to mouths, wakes the gods, and secures wealth and strength for worshippers.

Guide is the guide inside the Gnosis app, where every book on these shelves is free to read. Guide is the part you pay for — your guide has read all of them, and answers about the passage you’re actually on. Ask your guide your own question.