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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 680 of 1027

Mandala 8: HYMN LX. Agni.

1.O AGNI, with thy mighty wealth guard us from all malignity, Yea, from all hate of mortal man.

2.For over thee, O Friend from birth, the wrath of man hath no control: Nay, Guardian of the earth art thou.

3.As such, with all the Gods, O Son of Strength, auspicious in thy flame. Give us wealth bringing all things good.

4.Malignities stay not from wealth the mortal man whom, Agni, thou Protectest while he offers gifts.

5.Sage Agni, be whom thou dost urge, in worship of the Gods, to wealth, With thine assistance winneth kine.

6.Riches with many heroes thou hast for the man who offers gifts: Lead thou us on to higher bliss.

7.Save us, O Jātavedas, nor abandon us to him who sins, Unto the evil-hearted man.

8.O Agni, let no godless man avert thy bounty as a God: Over all treasures thou art Lord.

9.So, Son of Strength, thou aidest us to what is great and excellent. Those, Vasu! Friend! who sing thy praise.

10.Let our songs come anear to him beauteous and bright with piercing flame Our offerings, with our homage, to the Lord of wealth, to him whom many praise, for help:

11.To Agni Jātavedas, to the Son of Strength, that he may give us precious gifts, Immortal, from of old Priest among mortal men, the most delightful in the house.

12.Agni, made yours by sacrifice, Agni, while holy rites advance; Agni, the first in songs, first with the warrior steed; Agni to win the land for us.

13.May Agni who is Lord of wealth vouchsafe us food for friendship sake. Agni we ever seek for seed and progeny, the Vasu who protects our lives.

14.Solicit with your chants, for help, Agni the God with piercing flame, For riches famous Agni, Purumīlha and ye men! Agni to light our dwelling well.

15.Agni we laud that he may keep our foes afar, Agni to give us health and strength. Let him as Guardian be invoked in all the tribes, the lighter-up of glowing brands.

Asked of Guide

Why does this hymn ask Agni to give wealth and protect from enemies so often?

The hymn treats Agni as both priest and protector: it calls him Jātavedas, Son of Strength, and “Lord of wealth,” asking that his flame make offerings effective and bring “precious gifts, Immortal.” Repeated petitions for wealth, progeny, food and victory reflect Agni’s role as mediator between humans and gods—he carries sacrifice and secures blessings for the household and tribe.

Many lines link ritual success to material and social goods—kine, land, friends, health—because the Vedic world measures divine favor by concrete prosperity. If you want a nearby comparison, see Max Mueller’s translations and commentary on the Rigveda, which note how repeatedly invoking a single deity consolidates communal dependence on ritual specialists and on the fire as guarantor of order.

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.