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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 93 of 1027

Mandala 1: HYMN XCIII. Agni-Soma.

1.AGNI and Soma, mighty Pair, graciously hearken to my call, Accept in friendly wise my hymn, and prosper him who offers gifts.

2.The man who honours you to-day, Agni and Soma, with this hymn, Bestow on him heroic strength, increase of kine, and noble steeds.

3.The man who offers holy oil and burnt oblations unto you, Agni and Soma, shall enjoy great strength, with offspring, all his life.

4.Agni and Soma, famed is that your. prowess wherewith ye stole the kine, his food, from Paṇi. Ye caused the brood of Bṛsaya to perish; ye found the light, the single light for many.

5.Agni and Soma, joined in operation ye have set up the shining lights in heaven. From curse and from reproach, Agni and Soma, ye freed the rivers that were bound in fetters.

6.One of you Mātariśvan brought from heaven, the Falcon rent the other from the mountain. Strengthened by holy prayer Agni and Soma have made us ample room for sacrificing.

7.Taste, Agni, Soma, this prepared oblation; accept it, Mighty Ones, and let it please you. Vouchsafe us good protection and kind favour: grant to the sacrificer health and riches.

8.Whoso with oil and poured oblation honours, with God-devoted heart, Agni and Soma,— Protect his sacrifice, preserve him from distress, grant to the sacrificer great felicity.

9.Invoked together, mates in wealth, Agni-Soma, accept our hymns: Together be among the Gods.

10.Agni and Soma, unto him who worships you with holy oil Shine forth an ample recompense.

11.Agni and Soma, be ye pleased with these oblations brought to you, And come, together, nigh to us.

12.Agni and Soma, cherish well our horses, and let our cows be fat who yield oblations. Grant power to us and to our wealthy patrons, and cause our holy rites to be successful.

Asked of Guide

Why are Agni and Soma paired together so often in this hymn?

The hymn repeatedly calls Agni and Soma “mighty Pair” and “mates in wealth,” asking them together to “accept our hymns” and to grant strength, cattle and success; the poet treats them as complementary powers who cooperate in stealing the kine, setting up the lights, and freeing rivers. Their joint action is practical: Agni carries the offering, Soma energises and blesses it, and together they enlarge the sacrificer’s world by granting protection, progeny, horses and fat cows.

This pairing mirrors the ritual roles found elsewhere in the Vedas where Agni is the priestly flame and Soma the sacred drink that vitalises sacrifice—see Hymn I.XX for similar themes. The hymn’s images (Mātariśvan bringing one from heaven; the Falcon rent the other from the mountain) show paired origin-stories that justify invoking them as a single operative force.

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