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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 358 of 1027

Mandala 5: HYMN IV. Agni.

1.O AGNI, King and Lord of wealth and treasures, in thee is my delight at sacrifices. Through thee may we obtain the strength we long for, and overcome the fierce attacks of mortals.

2.Agni, Eternal Father, offering-bearer, fair to behold, far-reaching, far-refulgent, From well-kept household fire beam food to feed us, and measure out to us abundant glory.

3.The Sage of men, the Lord of human races, pure, purifying Agni, balmed with butter, Him the Omniscient as your Priest ye stablish: he wins among the Gods things worth the choosing.

4.Agni, enjoy, of one accord with Iḷā, striving in rivalry with beams of Sūrya, Enjoy, O Jātavedas, this our fuel, and bring the Gods to us to taste oblations.

5.As dear House-Friend, guest welcome in the dwelling, to this our sacrifice come thou who knowest. And, Agni, having scattered all assailants, bring to us the possessions of our foemen.

6.Drive thou away the Dasyu with thy weapon. As, gaining vital power for thine own body, O Son of Strength, the Gods thou satisfiest, so in fight save us, most heroic Agni.

7.May we, O Agni, with our lauds adore thee, and with our gifts, fair-beaming Purifier! Send to us wealth containing all things precious: bestow upon us every sort of riches.

8.Son of Strength, Agni, dweller in three regions, accept our sacrifice and our oblation. Among the Gods may we be counted pious: protect us with a triply-guarding shelter.

9.Over all woes and dangers, Jātavedas, bear us as in a boat across a river. Praised with our homage even as Atri praised thee, O Agni, be the guardian of our bodies.

10.As I, remembering thee with grateful spirit, a mortal, call with might on thee Immortal, Vouchsafe us high renown, O Jātavedas, and may I be immortal by my children.

11.The pious man, O Jātavedas Agni, to whom thou grantest ample room and pleasure, Gaineth abundant wealth with sons and horses, with heroes and with kine for his well-being.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Agni both “Jātavedas” and “Son of Strength” repeatedly?

The hymn uses the names Jātavedas and Son of Strength to emphasize different powers of Agni: Jātavedas highlights his all-knowing, priestly role who makes offerings effective and brings the gods to partake, while Son of Strength stresses his martial and protective potency that drives off foes and secures wealth. The repeated epithets shape a single figure who mediates sacrificial blessing and practical security for the household.

Calling Agni Jātavedas echoes other Rig Veda hymns where he is the priest and knower of births; calling him Son of Strength connects to hymns like Mandala 1 where Agni is invincible in battle. Together the names make the ritual request coherent: grant abundance, protect us, and carry our offerings to the gods.

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