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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 532 of 1027

Mandala 7: HYMN XVI. Agni.

1.WITH this my reverent hymn I call Agni for you, the Son of Strength, Dear, wisest envoy, served with noble sacrifice, immortal messenger of all.

2.His two red horses, all-supporting, let him yoke: let him, well-worshipped, urge them fast. Then hath the sacrifice good prayers and happy end, and heavenly gift of wealth to men.

3.The flame of him the Bountiful, the Much-invoked, hath mounted up, And his red-coloured smoke-clouds reach and touch the sky: the men are kindling Agni well.

4.Thee, thee Most Glorious One we make our messenger. Bring the Gods hither to the feast. Give us, O Son of Strength, all food that fcedeth man: give that for which we pray to thee.

5.Thou, Agni, art the homestead’s Lord, our Herald at the sacrifice. Lord of all boons, thou art the Cleanser and a Sage. Pay worship, and enjoy the good.

6.Give riches to the sacrificer, O Most Wise, for thou art he who granteth wealth. Inspire with zeal each priest at this our solemn rite; all who are skilled in singing praise.

7.O Agni who art worshipped well, dear let our princes he to thee, Our wealthy patrons who are governors of men, who part, as gifts, their stalls of kine.

8.They in whose home, her hand bearing the sacred oil, Iḷā sits down well-satisfied- Guard them, Victorious God, from slander and from harm. give us a refuge famed afar.

9.Do thou, a Priest with pleasant tongue, most wise, and very near to us, Agni, bring riches hither to our liberal chiefs, and speed the oflering of our gifts.

10.They who bestow as bounty plenteous wealth of steeds, moved by desire of great renown- Do thou with saving help preserve them from distress, Most Youthful! with a hundred forts.

11.The God who gives your wealth demands a full libation poured to him. Pour ye it forth, then fill the vessel full again: then doth the God pay heed to you.

12.Him have the Gods appointed Priest of sacrifice, oblation-bearer, passing wise. Agni gives wealth and valour to the worshipper, to folk who offer up their gifts.

Asked of Guide

Why do the rishis keep calling Agni a 'messenger' and 'priest' throughout this hymn?

The hymn presents Agni as the ritual intermediary: “immortal messenger of all” and “Priest of sacrifice,” roles that connect humans to the gods. The fire carries offerings upward and brings divine presence to the feast, so invoking Agni secures both the gods’ attendance and the ritual’s efficacy.

Calling Agni “Lord of all boons” and “the Cleanser” ties his mediating role to concrete results—wealth, protection, and praise—so the repeated titles work as practical appeals. This emphasis follows the same ritual logic found in other Vedic hymns where a deity’s epithets name the powers the worshipper seeks, as in other Rigveda hymns to Indra that enumerate his gifts.

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