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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 307 of 1027

Mandala 4: HYMN XI. Agni.

1.THY blessed majesty, victorious Agni, shines brightly in the neighbourhood of Sūrya. Splendid to see, it shows even at nighttime, and food is fair to look on in thy beauty.

2.Agni, disclose his thought for him who singeth, the well, Strong God! while thou art praised with fervour. Vouchsafe to us that powerful hymn, O Mighty, which, Radiant One! with all the Gods thou lovest.

3.From thee, O Agni, springs poetic wisdom, from thee come thoughts and hymns of praise that prosper; From thee flows wealth, with heroes to adorn it, to the true-hearted man who gives oblation.

4.From thee the hero springs who wins the booty, bringer of help, mighty, of real courage. From thee comes wealth, sent by the Gods, bliss-giving; Agni, from thee the fleet impetuous charger.

5.Immortal Agni, thee whose voice is pleasant, as first in rank, as God, religious mortals Invite with hymns; thee who removest hatred, Friend of the Home, the household’s Lord, unerring.

6.Far from us thou removest want and sorrow, far from us all ill-will when thou protectest. Son of Strength, Agni, blest is he at evening, whom thou as God attendest for his welfare.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Agni the source of thoughts, wealth, and heroes?

The hymn portrays Agni as the generative force behind speech, prosperity, and heroic success because he mediates between humans and gods; verses 2–4 say “From thee, O Agni, springs poetic wisdom” and “From thee the hero springs who wins the booty,” tying creative, social, and material blessings to his presence. Agni’s role as sacrificial fire makes him the channel through which offerings reach the gods and are returned as thought, fame, and riches.

This chapter’s language echoes the Rig Veda’s broader pattern of naming a deity as origin and patron of multiple domains, similar to how other hymns credit Soma or Indra with fertility and victory. Reading this next to Mandala 1 hymns on Agni clarifies the ritual logic: praise and oblation mobilize Agni to produce speech, wealth, and warriors for the worshipper.

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