Rig Veda Sukta 4
Mandala 7Sukta 410 Mantras

Sukta 4

Sukta 7.4

Rishi

Vasiṣṭha

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (probable; confirm in critical edition)

Dieser Hymnus des Vasiṣṭha entzündet Agni als das leuchtende innere und äußere Feuer und fordert die Opfernden auf, ihm sowohl die Opfergabe (havya) als auch die geläuterte Gesinnung/Intention (mati) darzubringen. Agni wird gepriesen als der Wissende, der durch alle Geburten schreitet — göttliche wie menschliche — und Unsterblichkeit, Reichtum und heldische Kraft gewährt, wenn man sich ihm mit Stärke und rechtem Verständnis nähert. Der Hymnus schließt mit einem Gebet um dauerndes Wohlergehen (svasti) und Segen für den Sänger und alle, die preisen.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 7.4

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agni

    Agni is the shining, pure flame and the divine priest (hotṛ) who receives offerings and bears them to the gods; he is praised as luminous (śukra, bhānu), wise, and all-knowing within beings and worlds.

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्र वः शुक्राय भानवे भरध्वं हव्यं मतिं चाग्नये सुपूतम् । यो दैव्यानि मानुषा जनूंष्यन्तर्विश्वानि विद्मना जिगाति ॥

Bringt hervor für den hellen, strahlenden Agni die wohlgeläuterte Opfergabe und den erleuchteten Gedanken. Er ist es, der durch Wissen alle Geburten im Innern durchschreitet — die göttlichen und die menschlichen — und so das ganze Werden von innen her durchdringt.

Mantra 2

स गृत्सो अग्निस्तरुणश्चिदस्तु यतो यविष्ठो अजनिष्ट मातुः । सं यो वना युवते शुचिदन्भूरि चिदन्ना समिदत्ति सद्यः ॥

Möge uns jener Agni der scharfe, der jugendliche sein, obgleich uralt — er, der aus der Mutter als der Jüngste geboren ward. Er, der sich rasch den Wäldern zugesellt, rein, und sogleich selbst reichliche Speisen verzehrt; — möge er in uns alles aufnehmen, was in Licht verwandelt werden soll.

Mantra 3

अस्य देवस्य संसद्यनीके यं मर्तासः श्येतं जगृभ्रे । नि यो गृभं पौरुषेयीमुवोच दुरोकमग्निरायवे शुशोच ॥

In der Versammlung, vor dem Antlitz dieses Gottes, haben die Sterblichen den Leuchtenden ergriffen. Der, der das menschliche Zugreifen, das die Wohnung schwer bewohnbar macht, niedergeredet hat — Agni ist dem Suchenden aufgeflammt und hat die enge Behausung der Unwissenheit verbrannt.

Mantra 4

अयं कविरकविषु प्रचेता मर्तेष्वग्निरमृतो नि धायि । स मा नो अत्र जुहुरः सहस्वः सदा त्वे सुमनसः स्याम ॥

Dieser Agni ist der Seher unter den Nicht-Sehern, das wache Erkennen; der Unsterbliche ist in die Sterblichen hineingelegt. O mächtiger Läuterer, verbrenne hier in uns das Verkrümmte, damit wir immer in dir guten und lichten Sinnes seien.

Mantra 5

आ यो योनिं देवकृतं ससाद क्रत्वा ह्यग्निरमृताँ अतारीत् । तमोषधीश्च वनिनश्च गर्भं भूमिश्च विश्वधायसं बिभर्ति ॥

Der, der zur von den Göttern geschaffenen Schoßstätte gelangt ist — durch seine Kraft des Krátu hat Agni über die Unsterblichen hinausgesetzt. Ihn tragen die Heilkräuter und die Wälder als Keim, und auch die Erde trägt ihn, den All-Erhaltenden, als verborgenes Samenkorn ihres allumfassenden Werdens.

Mantra 6

ईशे ह्यग्निरमृतस्य भूरेरीशे रायः सुवीर्यस्य दातोः । मा त्वा वयं सहसावन्नवीरा माप्सवः परि षदाम मादुवः ॥

Denn Agni ist der Herr über das reiche Unsterbliche; er ist der Herr über die Gabe des Reichtums und die Fülle heldischer Kraft. O Herr der Macht, lass uns dir nicht nahen ohne die inneren Helden; lass uns nicht um dich sitzen als Ohnmächtige oder Irregeführte.

Mantra 7

परिषद्यं ह्यरणस्य रेक्णो नित्यस्य रायः पतयः स्याम । न शेषो अग्ने अन्यजातमस्त्यचेतानस्य मा पथो वि दुक्षः ॥

Denn den Schatz, der durch rechtes Streben zu gewinnen ist, den ewigen Reichtum — mögen wir seine Herren werden. O Agni, es gibt keinen Rest, der anders geboren wäre; lass uns nicht auf dem Weg des Unwachen zerstreut werden — halte uns auf der rechten Bahn des Bewusstseins.

Mantra 8

नहि ग्रभायारणः सुशेवोऽन्योदर्यो मनसा मन्तवा उ । अधा चिदोकः पुनरित्स एत्या नो वाज्यभीषाळेतु नव्यः ॥

Denn Arani ist nicht zu ergreifen; er ist gnädig, doch nur durch das wahre Denken des Geistes zu fassen, nicht durch den Bauchhunger eines andern. Selbst wenn das Haus verloren ist, kehrt er wieder zur Wohnstatt; möge zu uns die sieghafte Kraft kommen — der neue Antreiber — mit bezwingender Macht.

Mantra 9

त्वमग्ने वनुष्यतो नि पाहि त्वमु नः सहसावन्नवद्यात् । सं त्वा ध्वस्मन्वदभ्येतु पाथः सं रयिः स्पृहयाय्यः सहस्री ॥

Du, Agni, schütze den, der zum Dienst strebt; du, o Gewaltiger, bewahre uns vor Fehl. Zu dir komme der Pfad mit festem Drang; zu uns sammle sich in deiner Flamme der begehrenswerte Reichtum, tausendfach.

Mantra 10

एता नो अग्ने सौभगा दिदीह्यपि क्रतुं सुचेतसं वतेम । विश्वा स्तोतृभ्यो गृणते च सन्तु यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥

Diese Glücksgaben, o Agni, lass für uns erstrahlen; mögen wir den Krátu wählen und ihm folgen, dem klaren, im Verstehen leuchtenden Willen. Alle Segnungen seien dem Preisenden und dem Singenden; und ihr Mächte, behütet uns immer mit Heilzuständen.

Inside Sukta 4

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    A direct call to bring forward a well-purified offering and illumined thought to the bright Agni (RV 7.4.1).

  2. Development

    Agni is portrayed as the inner knower who traverses all births and as the lord of immortality and prosperity; the hymn stresses approaching him with strength and competence, not weakness or confusion (cf. RV 7.4.6).

  3. Climax

    The prayer turns inward: may we choose and follow a luminous, well-understanding will (kratu) so Agni’s felicities truly ‘shine’ for us (RV 7.4.10).

  4. Where it settles

    A universal benediction: blessings for the praiser and singer, and continual protection through states of well-being (svasti).

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods, transformer of offerings, awakener of dawn-like clarity, and guardian of the sacrificial order that sustains prosperity and continuity.
  • Inner significanceThe fire of consciousness and discernment that purifies intention, links all states of becoming, and empowers a person with ‘inner heroes’—courage, clarity, and right will (kratu).

The seer

  • VasiṣṭhaVasiṣṭha gotra (one of the principal ṛṣi-families; traditional seer of many hymns in Maṇḍala 7) · Foremost among the family seers of the Rig Veda; celebrated for hymns to Agni and Varuṇa and for shaping the theological-ritual language of the Vasiṣṭha Maṇḍala.

Famous verses

प्र वः शुक्राय भानवे भरध्वं हव्यं मतिं चाग्नये सुपूतम् । यो दैव्यानि मानुषा जनूंष्यन्तर्विश्वानि विद्मना जिगाति ॥
Verse 7.4.1Sets the hymn’s core program: offering (havya) plus purified insight (mati) to the radiant Agni, who knows and links divine and human births from within.Read verse 7.4.1 →
ईशे ह्यग्निरमृतस्य भूरेरीशे रायः सुवीर्यस्य दातोः । मा त्वा वयं सहसावन्नवीरा माप्सवः परि षदाम मादुवः ॥
Verse 7.4.6Defines Agni as lord of abundant immortality and giver of wealth/heroic power, while warning that the worshipper must not approach without ‘inner heroes’—strength, clarity, and readiness.Read verse 7.4.6 →
yūyaṃ pāta svastibhiḥ sadā naḥ
Verse 7.4.10Concluding benediction and inner teaching: choose the sucetas (clear-minded) kratu; may all blessings attend the singer, with lasting svasti-protection.Read verse 7.4.10 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ and messenger (carrier of offerings)
  • Purifier (supūta) and illuminator (bhānu/śukra)
  • Knower who pervades births (divine and human)
  • Giver of wealth and heroic force (rāyaḥ, suvīrya)
  • Protector granting well-being (svasti)

Also by this seer

  • Primary authorship of much of Rig Veda Maṇḍala 7 (Vasiṣṭha family book)
  • Notable Varuṇa hymns in Maṇḍala 7 emphasizing ṛta (cosmic order) and moral insight
  • Agni hymns that integrate ritual fire with inner illumination (mati/kratu themes)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare and tend the sacred fire; establish mental and ritual purity (supūta).
  • Invite Agni with praise, presenting both havya (oblation) and mati (intent/insight).
  • Offer oblations with recitation, asking Agni to carry them and to awaken ‘sucetas’ kratu (clear will).
  • Pray for mastery of immortality, wealth, and heroic power; resolve not to approach without inner strength.
  • Conclude with blessings for the chanter and the community, requesting enduring svasti (well-being).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) into the fire
  • Samidh (fuel sticks) for kindling
  • Optional: soma-related oblations if integrated into a soma rite
  • Speech/praise (stuti) and intention (mati) as inner offerings

Frequently Asked Questions

It teaches that Agni should be approached with both an outer offering and an inner, purified intention. Agni then grants clarity, strength, prosperity, and protection.

It presents Agni as an inner knower present across all states of existence—linking divine powers and human life from within, and guiding transformation through knowledge.

It means a will or resolve (kratu) that is clear in understanding (sucetas). The hymn asks that we choose and follow this luminous, discerning intention.

Ask anything about Sukta 4 of the Rig Veda

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