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Dhammapada · narration sample

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Rig Veda · 977 of 1027

Mandala 10: HYMN CXL. Agni.

1.AGNI, life-power and fame are thine: thy fires blaze mightily, thou rich in wealth of beams! Sage, passing bright, thou givest to the worshipper, with strength, the food that merits laud.

2.With brilliant, purifying sheen, with perfect sheen thou liftest up thyself in light. Thou, visiting both thy Mothers, aidest them as Son: thou joinest close the earth and heaven.

3.O Jātavedas, Son of Strength, rejoice ihyself, gracious, in our fair hymns and songs. In thee are treasured various forms of strengthening food, born nobly and of wondrous help.

4.Agni, spread forth, as Ruler, over living things: give wealth to us, Immortal God. Thou shinest out from beauty fair to look upon: thou leadest us to conquering power.

5.To him, the wise, who orders sacrifice, who hath great riches un der his control, Thou givest blest award of good, and plenteous food, givest him wealth that conquers all.

6.The men have set before them them for their welfare Agni, strong, visible to all, the Holy. Thee, Godlike One, with ears to hear, most famous, men’s generations magnify with praise-songs.

Asked of Guide

Why does the hymn call Agni 'visiting both thy Mothers' and 'joinest close the earth and heaven'?

The hymn names Agni “visiting both thy Mothers” to describe his dual origin in fire and in ritual: he is born of both the earthly fuel and the celestial inspiration of the sacrifice, so he serves as the living link that “joinest close the earth and heaven.” The image makes Agni the mediator whose bright, purifying sheen lifts the sacrifice into the gods’ presence and returns divine blessing to humans.

Calling Agni the one who “leadeth us to conquering power” and “giver of wealth” ties that mediating role to social ends: by bearing offerings, he secures prosperity and fame for the sacrificer. This practical theology echoes later Upanishadic reflections on sacrificial efficacy, where ritual action connects mortal striving with cosmic order.

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