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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 845 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN VIII. Agni.

1.AGNI advances with his lofty banner: the Bull is bellowing to the earth and heavens. He hath attained the sky’s supremest limits. the Steer hath waxen in the lap of waters.

2.The Bull, the youngling with the hump, hath frolicked, the strong and never-ceasing Calf hath bellowed. Bringing our offerings to the God’s assembly, he moves as Chief in his own dwelling-places.

3.Him who hath grasped his Parents’ head, they stablished at sacrifice a wave of heavenly lustre. In his swift flight the red Dawns borne by horses refresh their bodies in the home of Order.

4.For, Vasu thou precedest every Morning, and still hast been the Twins’ illuminator. For sacrifice, seven places thou retainest while for thine own self thou engenderest Mitra.

5.Thou art the Eye and Guard of mighty Order, and Varuṇa when to sacrifice thou comest. Thou art the Waters’ Child O Jātavedas, envoy of him whose offering thou acceptest.

6.Thou art the Leader of the rite and region, to which with thine auspicious teams thou teadest, Thy light-bestowing head to heaven thou liftest, making thy tongue the oblationbearer, Agni.

7.Through his wise insight Trita in the cavern, seeking as ever the Chief Sire’s intention, Carefully tended in his Parents’ bosom, calling the weapons kin, goes forth to combat.

8.Well-skilled to use the weapons of his Father, Āptya, urged on by Indra, fought the battle. Then Trita slew the foe seven-rayed, three-headed, and freed the cattle of the Son of Tvaṣṭar.

9.Lord of the brave, Indra cleft him in pieces who sought to gain much strength and deemed him mighty. He smote his three heads from his body, seizing the cattle of the oniniform Son of Tvaṣṭar.

Asked of Guide

Why is Agni called the 'Bull' and linked to waters and sacrifice here?

The hymn pictures Agni as the Bull to show his vigor and central role in sacrifice: he “advances with his lofty banner” and “brings our offerings to the God’s assembly,” acting as leader and oblation-bearer. Calling him a waters‑child and saying he has “waxen in the lap of waters” ties Agni to life-giving forces and to his origin myths, where fire and water meet in ritual generation.

This chapter moves through titles—Jātavedas, Vasu, envoy of him whose offering thou acceptest—to locate Agni within cosmic Order and priestly function: he is both the Eye and Guard of Order and the one who “liftest…making thy tongue the oblationbearer.” Compare the Rig Veda hymns that treat Agni as ritual mediator and household god, where his animal epithets mark strength and sacrificial agency.

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