Rig Veda Sukta 9
Mandala 4Sukta 96 Mantras

Sukta 9

Sukta 4.9

Dieser Hymnus ruft Agni als die große, gnädige Gegenwart an, die zur gottsuchenden Gemeinschaft kommt und sich auf das heilige Gras setzt, um rechte Gemeinschaft im Opfer zu begründen. Agni wird gepriesen als wirksamer Sprecher des Ritus — der menschliche Gaben wahrhaft zu den Göttern gelangen lässt — und als Beschützer, der den Verehrer von allen Seiten mit uneinnehmbarer Wehr gegen Unheil umgibt.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 4.9

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agni

    Agni is the divine Fire: the household flame and the sacrificial fire, called to the barhis-seat, praised as priestly power (hotṛ) and as the one who carries offerings and words to the gods.

Mantras

Mantra 1

अग्ने मृळ महाँ असि य ईमा देवयुं जनम् । इयेथ बर्हिरासदम् ॥

O Agni, sei gnädig; du bist groß — du, der du zu diesem gottbegehrenden Volk kommst, zum Sitz auf dem heiligen Barhis-Gras, um die rechte Gemeinschaft zu begründen.

Mantra 2

स मानुषीषु दूळभो विक्षु प्रावीरमर्त्यः । दूतो विश्वेषां भुवत् ॥

Er, unter den Menschen schwer zu bezwingen, wird in den Sippen zum voranschreitenden Helden; unsterblich wird er zum Boten aller Götter — der zwischen den Welten den Willen der Wahrheit trägt.

Mantra 3

स सद्म परि णीयते होता मन्द्रो दिविष्टिषु । उत पोता नि षीदति ॥

Man führt ihn um die Wohnstatt als Hotṛ, den freudig stimmenden Priester in den himmelstrebenden Versammlungen; und auch als Potṛ setzt er sich nieder – die Opfergabe und das Seiende läuternd.

Mantra 5

वेषि ह्यध्वरीयतामुपवक्ता जनानाम् । हव्या च मानुषाणाम् ॥

Denn wahrlich, du suchst aus und nimmst deinen Platz als Upavaktṛ, als Nah-Ansager, für die Adhvaryus ein; und du wirst der, der das Havya ausruft – selbst für die Menschen.

Mantra 7

अस्माकं जोष्यध्वरमस्माकं यज्ञमङ्गिरः । अस्माकं शृणुधी हवम् ॥

Finde Gefallen an unserem Adhvara, an unserem Opfer; finde Gefallen an unserem Yajña, o Aṅgiras. Höre unseren Ruf.

Mantra 8

परि ते दूळभो रथोऽस्माँ अश्नोतु विश्वतः । येन रक्षसि दाशुषः ॥

Möge dein unbezwingbarer Wagen uns von allen Seiten umschließen – durch den du den Opfergeber behütest; so möge auch unsere Weihe vor den Einbrüchen der Finsternis bewahrt bleiben.

Inside Sukta 9

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct plea: ‘Agni, be gracious,’ affirming his greatness and his coming to the devout people and the barhis-seat.

  2. Development

    Agni’s priestly identity is unfolded—he seeks out the ritualists, becomes the near-utterer, and turns human offering and speech into effective oblation.

  3. Climax

    The protective vision: Agni’s ‘unassailable chariot’ encircles the worshippers from all sides, guarding the giver and the rite.

  4. Where it settles

    Confidence in safe, successful communion—Agni established, offerings voiced, and the sacrificer protected from obstruction.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods—he ignites and sustains the yajña, conveys oblations, clarifies prayer, and wards off hostile forces that obstruct the rite.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened flame of aspiration and discernment: the inner heat (tapas) that turns intention into effective action, purifies speech, and protects the seeker from confusion and negativity.

The seer

  • Vāmadeva GautamaGautama gotra (Vāmadeva family of the 4th Maṇḍala) · A principal seer of Maṇḍala 4, renowned for powerful Agni and Indra hymns and for portraying Agni as priest, messenger, and protector who perfects sacrifice.

Famous verses

agne mṛḷa mahān asi
Verse 4.9.1Sets the hymn’s core: Agni’s gracious greatness and his arrival to the god-seeking people to sit on the barhis and establish communion.Read verse 4.9.1 →
वेषि ह्यध्वरीयतामुपवक्ता जनानाम् । हव्या च मानुषाणाम् ॥
Verse 4.9.5Defines Agni’s crucial ritual role as upavaktā—he becomes the effective voice of the offering for human beings.Read verse 4.9.5 →
pari te duḥdabho rathaḥ
Verse 4.9.8Articulates the peak protective prayer: Agni’s unassailable chariot encompassing the worshipper, guarding the dāśuṣ against harm.Read verse 4.9.8 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Gracious and mighty (mṛḷa, mahān)
  • Invoked guest seated on barhis (barhir-āsada)
  • Upavaktā: near-utterer/spokesman of the rite
  • Protector of the giver (rakṣasi dāśuṣaḥ)
  • Unassailable, encompassing defense (duḥdabha ratha)

Also by this seer

  • Rig Veda Maṇḍala 4: many sūktas attributed to Vāmadeva Gautama, especially to Agni and Indra
  • Later tradition associates Vāmadeva with profound seer-knowledge (ṛṣi-dṛṣṭi) and inspired speech (vāc) in ritual contexts

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/vedi and spread the barhis (sacred grass) as Agni’s seat.
  • Kindle or rekindle the fire with prescribed kindling and recitation of Agni-invocations.
  • Invite Agni to ‘sit on the barhis’ and accept the role of hotṛ/upavaktā (one who gives voice to the offering).
  • Offer oblations while reciting praises that request graciousness and effective transmission of havis.
  • Pray for enclosure and protection ‘from every side’ against obstruction (rakṣas) and ritual failure.
  • Conclude with reaffirmation of Agni’s guardianship for the dāśuṣ (the offering-giver) and the rite’s successful completion.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Havis in general (ritual offering)
  • Soma-related offerings where applicable in śrauta context

Frequently Asked Questions

It asks Agni to be gracious, to come and take his seat in the rite, to make the offering effective through right speech, and to protect the worshipper from harm.

Because Agni is treated as the near-utterer or spokesman of the sacrifice—he gives force to the ritual words and carries the offering so it truly reaches the gods.

It is a symbol of Agni’s protective power: a divine defense that surrounds the sacrificer on all sides and keeps away obstructing or hostile forces (rakṣas).

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