Rig Veda Sukta 7
Mandala 4Sukta 78 Mantras

Sukta 7

Sukta 4.7

Rishi

Vāmadeva Gautama (traditional for RV 4.7)

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; verify in critical edition)

RV 4.7 ist ein Agni-Hymnus, der an die urzeitliche „Einsetzung“ des Opferfeuers und seine Wiederentdeckung/Neuentfachung durch die Bhṛgus erinnert, sodass er für jeden Clan leuchtet. Er preist Agni als Hotṛ und als Träger von ṛta (kosmische Wahrheit/Ordnung), der kraftvoll wie der Wind und wie ein schneller Hengst dahinfährt, um den Göttern die Opfergaben zu bringen und den Menschen Gedeihen zurückzubringen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.7

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agni

    Agni is the first-established divine priest (hotṛ), most worthy of worship, kindled among humans yet radiant with cosmic power; he is rediscovered and made to blaze by the Bhṛgus and shines “for clan after clan.” He is repeatedly linked with ṛta, moving with the force of wind and serving as messenger between worlds.

Mantras

Mantra 1

अयमिह प्रथमो धायि धातृभिर्होता यजिष्ठो अध्वरेष्वीड्यः । यमप्नवानो भृगवो विरुरुचुर्वनेषु चित्रं विभ्वं विशेविशे ॥

Dieser hier wurde zuerst von den Ordnern eingesetzt: Agni, der Hotar, der opferwürdigste, in den Opferhandlungen zu verehren. Ihn, den sie gewannen, ließen die Bhṛgu in den Wäldern aufleuchten — eine wunderbare, allumfassende Macht für Sippe um Sippe.

Mantra 2

अग्ने कदा त आनुषग्भुवद्देवस्य चेतनम् । अधा हि त्वा जगृभ्रिरे मर्तासो विक्ष्वीड्यम् ॥

Agni, wann wird dir das ununterbrochene Erwachen des göttlichen Bewusstseins zuteil? Denn dann ergreifen dich wahrlich die Sterblichen und halten dich fest — den in den Sippen Verehrungswürdigen.

Mantra 4

आशुं दूतं विवस्वतो विश्वा यश्चर्षणीरभि । आ जभ्रुः केतुमायवो भृगवाणं विशेविशे ॥

Den schnellen Boten des Vivasvat, der zu allen Geschlechtern geht — ihn, das Lichtbanner, den Bhṛgu‑Geborenen — haben die Suchenden in jeden einzelnen Stamm gebracht.

Mantra 6

तं शश्वतीषु मातृषु वन आ वीतमश्रितम् । चित्रं सन्तं गुहा हितं सुवेदं कूचिदर्थिनम् ॥

Ihn suchen wir und nahen ihm in den ewigen Müttern, im Waldwuchs der Natur: dem, der eingegangen ist und seinen Sitz genommen hat. Wunderbar im Sein, in der geheimen Höhle verborgen, ist er dem Suchenden vollkommen erkennbar — doch gesucht wird er nur von dem, der wahrhaft begehrt.

Mantra 7

ससस्य यद्वियुता सस्मिन्नूधन्नृतस्य धामन्रणयन्त देवाः । महाँ अग्निर्नमसा रातहव्यो वेरध्वराय सदमिदृतावा ॥

Als in jenem Euter des Überflusses, wo die Ströme getrennt gesetzt sind, die Götter die Wohnstatt der Wahrheit bereiteten — da kommt der mächtige Agni, dem durch Verehrung die Opfergabe dargebracht wird, zum Opfer; immerdar ist er der Träger der Wahrheit.

Mantra 8

वेरध्वरस्य दूत्यानि विद्वानुभे अन्ता रोदसी संचिकित्वान् । दूत ईयसे प्रदिव उराणो विदुष्टरो दिव आरोधनानि ॥

Die Botengänge des Opfers kennend, die beiden Enden von Himmel und Erde durchschauend, gehst du als Bote — aus der lichten Höhe ausschreitend — der Wissendste, der die Aufstiege und Durchgänge des Himmels kennt.

Mantra 10

सद्यो जातस्य ददृशानमोजो यदस्य वातो अनुवाति शोचिः । वृणक्ति तिग्मामतसेषु जिह्वां स्थिरा चिदन्ना दयते वि जम्भैः ॥

Sogleich bei der Geburt wird seine Kraft sichtbar: wenn der Wind an seiner Flamme entlangweht, zieht er die scharfe Zunge hervor; selbst feste Speise zerreißt er mit seinen Kiefern.

Mantra 11

तृषु यदन्ना तृषुणा ववक्ष तृषुं दूतं कृणुते यह्वो अग्निः । वातस्य मेळिं सचते निजूर्वन्नाशुं न वाजयते हिन्वे अर्वा ॥

Wenn er, von brennendem Durst, unter den Speisen herangewachsen ist, macht der stürmische Agni sich selbst zum dürstenden Boten. Er verbindet sich mit dem Ansturm des Windes; vorwärts drängend treibt er wie ein schneller Hengst zum Gewinn der Fülle.

Inside Sukta 7

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is proclaimed as the first-established priest, most worthy of worship in the sacrifice, set in place by the cosmic ‘ordainers.’

  2. Development

    The hymn expands Agni’s mythic history (Bhṛgus making him blaze in the forests) and his social function—radiant power serving every community—while deepening his identity as messenger and upholder of ṛta.

  3. Climax

    Agni is revealed as mighty and truth-bearing: the gods prepare the dwelling of ṛta, and Agni—receiving oblation through reverence—comes to the sacrifice as the ever-ṛtāvān (truth-bearer).

  4. Where it settles

    Agni’s dynamic energy is affirmed—thirsting, swift, wind-allied—so he may drive the rite forward and secure plenitude and well-being for the worshippers.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator of heaven and earth: he carries offerings to the gods, awakens divine presence in the rite, and sustains ṛta by making the sacrifice effective.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened flame of aspiration and discernment: the inner priest that transforms raw impulse into clarified intention, and aligns the person with truth (ṛta) through disciplined offering.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva line; traditionally linked with the Gotamas of Mandala 4) · A major seer of Mandala 4, celebrated for profound Agni-centered vision and for hymns that connect ritual fire with ṛta (truth/order) and inspired poetic insight.

Famous verses

hotā yajiṣṭho
Verse 4.7.1Sets the hymn’s foundation: Agni as the first-established hotṛ, adored in sacrifices, and the Bhṛgu-kindled flame shining for every clan—linking cosmic origin with communal ritual life.Read verse 4.7.1 →
sadām id ṛtāvā
Verse 4.7.7Articulates the hymn’s ṛta محور: the gods fashion the ‘dwelling of Truth,’ and Agni arrives to the rite as the constant bearer of ṛta, emphasizing reverence (namas) as the mode of offering.Read verse 4.7.7 →
तृषु यदन्ना तृषुणा ववक्ष तृषुं दूतं कृणुते यह्वो अग्निः । वातस्य मेळिं सचते निजूर्वन्नाशुं न वाजयते हिन्वे अर्वा ॥
Verse 4.7.11A vivid image of Agni’s propulsion: he becomes the ‘thirsty messenger,’ joins the rush of Wind, and drives like a swift horse—portraying the fire’s transformative, forward-driving force in ritual and life.Read verse 4.7.11 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ (chief priest of the sacrifice)
  • Dūta (messenger) between humans and gods
  • Bearer/guardian of ṛta (truth, right order)
  • Primordial and continually rekindled
  • Radiant, vast, clan-supporting power
  • Swift-moving, wind-allied energy

Also by this seer

  • Many hymns of Rigveda Mandala 4 (traditionally attributed to Vāmadeva Gautama)
  • Associated in later tradition with the Vāmadeva motif and with foundational Agni praise used in śrauta-style fire ritual contexts

The rite, step by step

  • Purification and preparation of the altar/fire-space (vedi) and fuel arrangement
  • Kindling/establishing Agni with reverent invitation as hotṛ and īḍya (adorable one)
  • Recitation to recall Agni’s primordial establishment and Bhṛgu-kindling, affirming his rightful place in the rite
  • Offerings into the fire with namas (reverence), requesting Agni to carry them and to uphold ṛta
  • Concluding praise for Agni’s swift, wind-like movement and his power to bring abundance back to the sacrificer

Offerings

  • Ghṛta (ghee/clarified butter)
  • Samidhs (kindling sticks)
  • Havis (simple oblations such as grains/cakes, as appropriate to the rite)

Frequently Asked Questions

It celebrates Agni as the primal sacrificial Fire—first set in place, rekindled by the Bhṛgus, and active in every sacrifice as the priest who carries offerings and upholds ṛta (truth/order).

The Bhṛgus are remembered as discoverers/rekindlers of Agni, making him blaze in the forests; the hymn uses this to show Agni’s ancient legitimacy and his availability to all clans.

It can be recited at the start of a homa or simple lamp/fire offering to invoke Agni as the inner and outer priest—asking for clarity, right order (ṛta), and the successful ‘carrying’ of one’s offerings and intentions.

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