Rig Veda Sukta 9
Mandala 2Sukta 96 Mantras

Sukta 9

Sukta 2.9

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh

Dieser sechsstrophige Triṣṭubh-Hymnus setzt Agni als wissenden Hotṛ ein, der seinen Sitz am priesterlichen Platz nimmt und sich inmitten der Verehrer festsetzt. Man bittet ihn, die Opfergabe zu hören, Fülle zu bestätigen und als bester Opferer zu wirken: das Ritual zu führen, vor Schaden zu schützen und sowohl strahlende Lebenskraft als auch Reichtum zu gewähren.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.9

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agni

    Agni is the luminous, sharp-tongued (śucijihva) priest who sits on the hotṛ-seat, knows the proper way of the rite, hears the praise, and carries offerings to the gods while bringing back rādhas (boons).

Mantras

Mantra 1

नि होता होतृषदने विदानस्त्वेषो दीदिवाँ असदत्सुदक्षः । अदब्धव्रतप्रमतिर्वसिष्ठः सहस्रम्भरः शुचिजिह्वो अग्निः ॥

Er hat sich niedergesetzt – der Hotar auf dem Sitz des Hotar –, den rechten Weg kennend; der Glühende, der Leuchtende, der Geschickte. Vasiṣṭha, untrüglich im Gelübde und sicher in der Einsicht: Agni, mit reiner Zunge, der Tausendträger, ist in uns eingesetzt.

Mantra 2

त्वं दूतस्त्वमु नः परस्पास्त्वं वस्य आ वृषभ प्रणेता । अग्ने तोकस्य नस्तने तनूनामप्रयुच्छन्दीद्यद्बोधि गोपाः ॥

Du bist der Bote; du bist uns der ferne Beschützer; du bist der Führer zum Besseren, o Stier der Kraft. Agni, für unsere Nachkommenschaft und für die Ausweitung unseres Leibes: erwache in uns als Hüter – unermüdlich, lichtflammend.

Mantra 3

विधेम ते परमे जन्मन्नग्ने विधेम स्तोमैरवरे सधस्थे । यस्माद्योनेरुदारिथा यजे तं प्र त्वे हवींषि जुहुरे समिद्धे ॥

Wir wollen dir dienen in deiner höchsten Geburt, o Agni; wir wollen dir dienen mit Hymnen im niederen Sitz der Erscheinung. Aus welchem Schoß auch immer du empor hervorgegangen bist — diesem wirst du dargebracht; darum, wenn du entflammt bist, werden die Opfergaben (havis) vor dir in dich hineingegossen.

Mantra 4

अग्ने यजस्व हविषा यजीयाञ्छ्रुष्टी देष्णमभि गृणीहि राधः । त्वं ह्यसि रयिपती रयीणां त्वं शुक्रस्य वचसो मनोता ॥

O Agni, opfere mit der Opfergabe (havis), du Opferwürdigster; nimm mit aufmerksamem Hören die Gabe an und bestätige die Fülle (rādhas). Denn du bist der Herr der Reichtümer, der Herr der Schätze; du bist der Denker und Vollender des leuchtenden Wortes.

Mantra 5

उभयं ते न क्षीयते वसव्यं दिवेदिवे जायमानस्य दस्म । कृधि क्षुमन्तं जरितारमग्ने कृधि पतिं स्वपत्यस्य रायः ॥

Zweifach ist dein Gut, das nicht schwindet, Tag um Tag, da du immer neu geboren wirst, o Wunderwirker. Mache den Sänger kraftvoll, o Agni; mache ihn zum Herrn des Reichtums, der edle Nachkommenschaft und rechte Herrschaft verleiht.

Mantra 6

सैनानीकेन सुविदत्रो अस्मे यष्टा देवाँ आयजिष्ठः स्वस्ति । अदब्धो गोपा उत नः परस्पा अग्ने द्युमदुत रेवद्दिदीहि ॥

Mit deiner führenden Spitze, o du, der das Gute findet, sei uns der Opferpriester, der die Götter zum Heil am besten verehrt. Unverletzbar sei Hüter der Lichter und unser Fernbeschützer; o Agni, leuchte uns mit strahlender Kraft und mit Fülle.

Inside Sukta 9

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is installed: the shining, skillful Hotṛ takes his seat, knowing the right way, and becomes established within the community.

  2. Development

    The hymn turns to direct petition—Agni should sacrifice with the offering, listen attentively, and confirm abundance, as lord of riches and fulfiller of the luminous word.

  3. Climax

    Agni is invoked as the foremost leader and best sacrificer who can effectively worship the gods for svasti, combining ritual mastery with protective power.

  4. Where it settles

    The prayer settles into assurance and request: may Agni remain unharmed, guard our lights, protect us from afar, and shine with both radiance and wealth.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he kindles sacrifice, conveys oblations, safeguards the settlement, and manifests divine light and power within the world-order (ṛta).
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and discerning intelligence in the practitioner—an inner fire that clarifies speech, energizes aspiration, and ‘cooks’ intention into effective action and protection.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family of Mandala 2) · Principal seer of much of Rig Veda Mandala 2, renowned for Agni-centered hymns that present Agni as the inner priest and guardian of prosperity and safety.

Famous verses

śucijihvo agniḥ
Verse 2.9.1Sets the hymn’s foundation by enthroning Agni as the knowing Hotṛ—pure-tongued, unbetrayable in resolve, and ‘established within us,’ linking outer ritual fire with inner presence.Read verse 2.9.1 →
अग्ने यजस्व हविषा यजीयाञ्छ्रुष्टी देष्णमभि गृणीहि राधः । त्वं ह्यसि रयिपती रयीणां त्वं शुक्रस्य वचसो मनोता ॥
Verse 2.9.4Core supplication: Agni is asked to perform the sacrifice, hear the gift, and confirm plenitude; he is proclaimed lord of riches and the thinker/fulfiller of the luminous word.Read verse 2.9.4 →
adabdho gopā
Verse 2.9.6Concluding peak of function: Agni as leader and best worshipper brings svasti, protects near and far, and is requested to shine with radiant and wealthy increase.Read verse 2.9.6 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ/priestly mediator
  • Knower of the path and ritual order
  • Pure-tongued (śucijihva) bearer of offerings
  • Unbetrayable will and firm discernment (adabdhavratapramati)
  • Giver of riches and plenitude (rayipati, rādhas)
  • Leader and protector (sainānīka, gopā, paraspā)
  • Radiant, shining force (tveṣa, dyumat)

Also by this seer

  • A large portion of Rig Veda Mandala 2 (many sūktas attributed to Gṛtsamada)
  • Multiple Agni hymns emphasizing Hotṛ-function, protection (gopā), and rādhas (plenitude)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare and clean the altar/vedi; establish the sacred space and seats for officiants.
  • Kindle or rekindle Agni; ‘seat’ him as Hotṛ in the hotṛṣadana (priestly seat) with recitation.
  • Offer havis with prescribed formulas; praise Agni’s knowledge of the rite and his purity of tongue.
  • Request attentive hearing (śruṣṭī) and affirmation of rādhas (plenitude).
  • Invoke Agni as leader who best worships the gods on the sacrificer’s behalf for svasti (well-being).
  • Conclude with petitions for protection near and far (gopā, paraspā) and for shining prosperity (dyumat, revat).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Milk/curds or simple havis (as customary)
  • Grain-cakes/oblations (puroḍāśa-type offerings, as applicable)

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Agni to take his rightful seat as the priest of the sacrifice, carry the offering properly, listen to the worshippers, and grant well-being, protection, and abundance.

Hotṛ means the officiating priest who recites and performs the offering. The hymn treats Agni as the divine priest who knows the correct path of the rite and mediates between humans and the gods.

Along with the outer fire on the altar, it points to an inner fire—clarity, will, and discerning intelligence—through which prayer becomes effective and life gains light and strength.

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