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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 442 of 1027

Mandala 6: HYMN I. Agni.

1.THOU, first inventor of this prayer, O Agni, Worker of Marvels, hast become our Herald. Thou, Bull, hast made us strength which none may conquer, strength that shall overcome all other prowess.

2.As Priest thou sattest at the seat of worship, furthering us, best Offerer, meet for honour. So first to thee have pious men resorted, turning thy mind to thoughts of ample riches.

3.In thee, still watching, they have followed riches, who goest with much wealth as with an army, The radiant Agni, lofty, fair to look on, worshipped with marrow, evermore resplendent.

4.They who approached the God’s abode with homage, eager for glory, won them perfect glory: Yea, they gained even sacrificial titles, and found delight in thine auspicious aspect.

5.On earth the people magnify thee greatly, thee their celestial and terrestrial riches. Thou, Helper, must be known as our Preserver, Father and Mother of mankind for ever.

6.Dear priest among mankind, adorable Agni hath seated him, joy-giver, skilled in worship. Let us approach thee shining in thy dwelling, kneeling upon our knees, with adoration.

7.Longing for bliss, pure-minded, God-devoted, Agni, we seek thee, such, meet to be lauded. Thou, Agni, leddest forth our men to battle, refulgent with the heaven’s exalted splendour.

8.Sage of mankind, all peoples’ Lord and Master, the Bull of men, the sender down of blessings, Still pressing on, promoting, purifying, Agni the Holy One, the Lord of riches.

9.Agni, the mortal who hath toiled and worshipped, brought thee oblations with his kindled fuel, And well knows sacrifice with adoration, gains every joy with thee to guard and help him.

10.Mightily let us worship thee the Mighty, with reverence, Agni! fuel and oblations, With songs, O Son of Strength, with hymns, with altar: so may we strive for thine auspicious favour.

11.Thou who hast covered heaven and earth with splendour and with thy glories, glorious and triumphant. Continue thou to shine on us, O Agni, with strength abundant, rich, and long enduring.

12.Vouchsafe us ever, as man needs, O Vasu, abundant wealth of kine for son and offspring. Food noble, plenteous, far from sin and evil, he with us, and fair fame to make us happy.

13.May I obtain much wealth in many places by love of thee and through thy grace, King Agni; For in thee Bounteous One, in thee the Sovran, Agni, are many boons for him who serves thee.

Asked of Guide

Why do the singers call Agni both 'Father and Mother of mankind' and 'Bull of men'?

The hymn names Agni with parental and virile images because he embodies life-giving, protective, and power-bestowing roles: as “Father and Mother of mankind” he is the source and preserver of human prosperity and sustenance, and as the “Bull of men” he is strength, leadership, and the energizing force that “leddest forth our men to battle.” The poem ties these roles to concrete social goods—wealth, fame, offspring, sacrificial success—so Agni’s parental care and bull-like potency describe how the community depends on him for survival and victory.

This blending of images matches how Vedic hymns treat a god’s many practical capacities rather than a single abstract trait; see Rig Veda Mandala 1 where Agni also functions as priest, herald, and warrior. The hymn repeatedly links worship and offerings to receiving “many boons,” showing the ritual means by which Agni’s nurturing and mighty aspects are activated for the worshippers.

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