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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 848 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN XI. Agni.

1.THE Bull hath yielded for the Bull the milk of heaven: the Son of Aditi can never be deceived. According to his wisdom Varuṇa knoweth all: may he, the Holy, hallow times for sacrifice.

2.Gandharvi spake: may she, the Lady of the flood, amid the river’s roaring leave my heart untouched. May Aditi accomplish all that we desire, and may our eldest Brother tell us this as Chief.

3.Yea, even this blessed Morning, rich in store of food, splendid, with heavenly lustre, hath shone out for man, Since they, as was the wish of yearning Gods, brought forth that yearning Agni for the assembly as the Priest.

4.And the fleet Falcon brought for sacrifice from afar this flowing Drop most excellent and keen of sight, Then when the Āryan tribes chose as Invoking Priest Agni the Wonder-Worker, and the hymn rose up.

5.Still art thou kind to him who feeds thee as with grass, and, skilled in sacrifice, offers thee holy gifts. When thou, having received the sage’s strengthening food with lauds, after long toil, cornest with many more.

6.Urge thou thy Parents, as a lover ‘ to delight: the Lovely One desires and craves it from his heart. The priest calls out, the sacrificer shows his skill, the Asura tries his strength, and with the hymn is stirred.

7.Far-famed is he, the mortal man, O Agni, thou Son of Strength, who hath obtained thy favour. He, gathering power, borne onward by his horses, makes his days lovely in his might and splendour.

8.When, Holy Agni, the divine assembly, the sacred synod mid the Gods, is gathered, And when thou, Godlike One, dealest forth treasures, vouchsafe us, too, our portion of the riches.

9.Hear us, O Agni, in your common dwelling: harness thy rapid car of Amṛta. Bring Heaven and Earth, the Deities’ Parents, hither: stay with us here, nor from the Gods be distant.

Asked of Guide

Why does this hymn call Agni 'the Invoking Priest' and say gods 'brought forth that yearning Agni' for sacrifice?

The hymn presents Agni as the ritual mediator:

Agni is named the Invoking Priest because he carries the human hymn and offering upward and returns divine favour downward. Verses 3–4 describe gods and a Falcon bringing

a flowing Drop

and making Agni the Priest for the assembly, which makes him the active link in sacrificial exchange and the focus of communal worship.

Because Agni links worlds, the sacrificer gains power and wealth through his favour; verses 5–8 promise that one who feeds Agni

finds days made lovely and receives a share when the divine synod

deals forth treasures. This role echoes what Max Müller emphasizes in his translations: Agni functions as the mediator who sanctifies offerings and conveys immortality (Amṛta) between humans and gods.

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.