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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 659 of 1027

Mandala 8: HYMN XXXIX. Agni.

1.THE glorious Agni have I praised, and worshipped with. the sacred food. May Agni deck the Gods for us. Between both gathering-places he goes on his embassy, the Sage. May all the others die away.

2.Agni, burn down the word within their bodies through our newest speech, All hatreds of the godless, all the wicked man’s malignities. Away let the destroyers go. May all the others die away.

3.Agni, I offer hymns to thee, like holy oil within thy mouth. Acknowledge them. among the Gods, for thou art the most excellent, the worshipper’s blissful messenger. Let all the others die away.

4.Agni bestows all vital power even as each man supplicates. He brings the Vasus strengthening gifts, and grants delight, in rest and stir, for every calling on the Gods. Let all the others die away.

5.Agni hath made himself renowned by wonderful victorious act. He is the Priest of all the tribes, chosen with sacrificial meeds. He urges Deities to receive. Let all the others die away.

6.Agni knows all that springs from Gods, he knows the mystery of men. Giver of wealth is Agni, he uncloses both the doors to us when worshipped with our newest gift. Let all the others die away.

7.Agni inhabiteth with Gods and men who offer sacrifice. He cherisheth with great delight much wisdom, as all things that be, God among Gods adorable. May all the others die away.

8.Agni who liveth in all streams, Lord of the Sevenfold Race of men, Him dweller in three homes we seek, best slayer of the Dasyus for Mandhātar, first in sacrifice. Let all the others die away.

9.Agni the Wise inhabiteth three gathering-places, triply formed. Decked as our envoy let the Sage bring hither and conciliate the Thrice Eleven Deities. Let all the others die away.

10.Our Agni, thou art first among the Gods, and first mid living men. Thou only rulest over wealth. Round about thee, as natural dams, circumfluous the waters run. Let all the others die away.

Asked of Guide

Why does every verse end with "Let all the others die away"?

The poet repeats “Let all the others die away” as a ritual closing that focuses worship on Agni and clears away rival influences. Each stanza praises Agni’s roles—messenger, priest, giver of wealth, wisdom—and the refrain signals that those qualities should eclipse other forces so the sacrifice succeeds.

This is an enactment as much as a line of praise: the hymn summons Agni to “acknowledge” offerings and to “unclose both the doors to us,” and the repeated closing secures that petition. The device resembles the mantra-like refrains in other Vedic hymns and in the Upanishads where focused repetition consecrates a single power.

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.