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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 889 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN LII. Gods.

1.INSTRUCT me, all ye Gods, how I, elected your Priest, must seat me here, and how address you. Instruct me how to deal to each his portion, and by what ‘ path to bring you man’s oblation.

2.I sit as Priest most skilled in sacrificing: the Maruts and all Deities impel me. Aśvins, each day yours is the Adhvaryu’s duty: Brahman and wood are here: ’tis yours to offer.

3.Who is the Priest? Is he the Priest of Yama? On whom is thrust this God-appointed honour? He springs to life each month, each day that passes; so Gods have made him their oblation-bearer.

4.The Gods have made me bearer of oblations, who slipped away and passed through many troubles. Wise Agni shall ordain for us the worship, whether five-wayed, threefold, or seven-threaded.

5.So will I win you strength and life for ever. O Gods, that I may give you room and freedom. To Indra’s arms would I consign the thunder; in all these battles shall he then be victor.

6.The Deities three hundred and thirty-nine, have served and honoured Agni, Strewn sacred grass, anointed him with butter, and seated him as Priest, the Gods’ Invoker.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Agni 'the Gods’ Invoker' and seat him as Priest?

The hymn makes Agni the mouthpiece for worship because he carries offerings from humans to the Gods; the singer names him “the Gods’ Invoker” and says the Deities “have served and honoured Agni” to explain that role. Agni is pictured as seated, anointed with butter and strewn with sacred grass, which marks him as both ritually present and empowered to transmit oblation and prayer.

This chapter treats the priestly function as shared between human officiant and sacred agent: the singer asks instruction for seating and portioning while affirming Agni and the Maruts, Aśvins, and Indra as active participants. Compare the Śatapatha Brāhmaṇa, which also locates divine agency in fire and details how Agni mediates sacrifice and grants the worshipper’s aims.

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.