Rig Veda Sukta 39
Mandala 8Sukta 399 Mantras

Sukta 39

Sukta 8.39

Dieser neunstrophige Hymnus preist Agni als den inspirierten Seher und inneren Boten, der zwischen den menschlichen und göttlichen Versammlungen wandelt, die Opfergaben trägt und die Götter herbeiführt. Er bittet Agni, die Verehrer zu weihen, das Ritual zu stärken und feindliche Mächte „in ein anderes Gebiet“ zu vertreiben. Der Hymnus gipfelt in Agnis kosmischer Größe – seinem Wohnen in den dreifachen Fundamenten – und ruft ihn an, die göttlichen Kollektive (die Drei und die Elf) zu verehren und Kraft und Gedeihen der Opfernden zu mehren.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.39

In this hymn

Addressed to

  • Agni

    Agni is invoked as ṛgmíya/kaví (seer of the hymn), hotṛ (sacrificial priest), and dūta (messenger) who “moves within” both assemblies, human and divine, consecrating the Gods for the rite and protecting the sacrificer.

Mantras

Mantra 1

अग्निमस्तोष्यृग्मियमग्निमीळा यजध्यै । अग्निर्देवाँ अनक्तु न उभे हि विदथे कविरन्तश्चरति दूत्यं नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Agni habe ich gepriesen, den Seher des Liedes; Agni verehre ich, den im Opfer zu Verehrenden. Möge Agni die Götter über uns salben und einsetzen; denn in beiden Versammlungen wandelt er, der Dichter, innen als Bote — mögen die widerstreitenden Mächte in ein anderes Gebiet verbannt werden.

Mantra 2

न्यग्ने नव्यसा वचस्तनूषु शंसमेषाम् । न्यराती रराव्णां विश्वा अर्यो अरातीरितो युच्छन्त्वामुरो नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

O Agni, setze in unsere Leiber das neu gestaltende Wort, ihre wahre Bekräftigung. Stürze alle Feindseligkeiten der lärmenden Finsternis nieder; möge die edle Kraft diese Feindseligkeiten von hier vertreiben — mögen die Verschlinger in ein anderes Reich verbannt werden.

Mantra 3

अग्ने मन्मानि तुभ्यं कं घृतं न जुह्व आसनि । स देवेषु प्र चिकिद्धि त्वं ह्यसि पूर्व्यः शिवो दूतो विवस्वतो नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

O Agni, dir gieße ich meine Gedanken aus wie geklärte Butter; sie seien meine Opfergabe. Erwache ganz unter den Göttern, denn du bist der Uralte, der gütige Bote des Vivasvat; mögen die widerstrebenden Mächte an einen anderen Ort weichen.

Mantra 4

तत्तदग्निर्वयो दधे यथायथा कृपण्यति । ऊर्जाहुतिर्वसूनां शं च योश्च मयो दधे विश्वस्यै देवहूत्यै नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Immer wieder setzt Agni die Fülle des Lebens ein, je nachdem einer in Bedürftigkeit begehrt. Als Kraftopfer für die Vasus legt er in uns Frieden, Wohlergehen und Wonne nieder — zum allumfassenden Anruf der Götter; mögen die widerstrebenden Mächte anderswohin verbannt werden.

Mantra 5

स चिकेत सहीयसाग्निश्चित्रेण कर्मणा । स होता शश्वतीनां दक्षिणाभिरभीवृत इनोति च प्रतीव्यं नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Er erkennt es durch eine mächtigere Kraft — Agni durch sein wunderwirkendes Tun. Er ist der Hotar der unvergänglichen Bewegungen; umgeben von Gaben rechtspendender Freigebigkeit treibt er die widerstehende Front voran; mögen die feindlichen Mächte anderswohin weichen.

Mantra 6

अग्निर्जाता देवानामग्निर्वेद मर्तानामपीच्यम् । अग्निः स द्रविणोदा अग्निर्द्वारा व्यूर्णुते स्वाहुतो नवीयसा नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Agni ist unter den Göttern geboren; Agni kennt das Verborgene in den Sterblichen. Agni ist der Spender von Reichtum; Agni öffnet weit die Tore — durch wohl dargebrachte Opfergabe, mit stets erneuerter Kraft: Mögen die feindlichen Mächte anderswohin getrieben werden, fort von uns.

Mantra 7

अग्निर्देवेषु संवसुः स विक्षु यज्ञियास्वा । स मुदा काव्या पुरु विश्वं भूमेव पुष्यति देवो देवेषु यज्ञियो नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Agni ist das gute Innewohnen unter den Göttern; er kommt in die Sippen, die opferwürdig sind. Mit Freude und der Eingebung des Sehers nährt er das ganze Sein wie die weite Erde — Gott unter Göttern, die opferkräftige Macht: Mögen die feindlichen Mächte anderswohin getrieben werden, fort von uns.

Mantra 8

यो अग्निः सप्तमानुषः श्रितो विश्वेषु सिन्धुषु । तमागन्म त्रिपस्त्यं मन्धातुर्दस्युहन्तममग्निं यज्ञेषु पूर्व्यं नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Jener Agni, der siebenfach-menschliche, in allen Strömen gegründet — zu ihm sind wir gekommen: zum Dreifach-Behausten, zu Mandhātṛs Agni, dem größten Dasyu-Schlächter, zum uralten Agni in den Opfern. Mögen die feindlichen Mächte anderswohin getrieben werden, fort von uns.

Mantra 9

अग्निस्त्रीणि त्रिधातून्या क्षेति विदथा कविः । स त्रीँरेकादशाँ इह यक्षच्च पिप्रयच्च नो विप्रो दूतः परिष्कृतो नभन्तामन्यके समे ॥

Agni, der Seher, wohnt in den dreifachen Grundlagen und in den geordneten Versammlungen (vidáthas). Möge er hier die Drei und die Elf verehren und uns auch füllen und mehren – er, der erleuchtete Bote, vollkommen gefügt; mögen die feindlichen Mächte anderswohin, auf ein anderes Feld, vertrieben werden.

Inside Sukta 39

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    The poet magnifies and adores Agni as the hymn-seer and rightful object of worship, asking him to bring the Devas near and to repel opposition.

  2. Development

    Agni is described as moving within both assemblies as messenger and as the knowing, mightier power whose ‘wondrous work’ advances the rite; he is framed as hotṛ sustained by dakṣiṇā/offering.

  3. Climax

    Agni’s cosmic placement is proclaimed: he dwells in the threefold foundations (tridhātu) and presides over ordered gatherings, fit to worship the divine collectives (Three and Eleven).

  4. Where it settles

    A final request: may Agni worship the Gods, increase and fill the worshippers, and drive hostile forces away into another realm—securing protection and completion of the rite.

The deity: Agni

  • Cosmic functionMediator of worlds: he conveys oblations to the Devas, kindles and sustains yajña, safeguards order by repelling hostile powers, and anchors the divine presence in the ritual space.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened flame of insight and aspiration: the inner priest that clarifies intention, purifies impulses, and carries one’s offering (will, speech, breath) toward higher consciousness.

Famous verses

nabha(nt)ām anyake same
Verse 8.39.1Programmatic opening: Agni is praised as kaví and dūta moving in both assemblies, asked to ‘anoint’ the Devas for the sacrificer and to banish hostile powers.Read verse 8.39.1 →
citreṇa karmaṇā
Verse 8.39.5Highlights Agni’s superior knowing and ‘wondrous work’ (citra karma), portraying him as hotṛ encompassed by dakṣiṇā and as the force that pushes back opposition.Read verse 8.39.5 →
trīṇi tridhātūni
Verse 8.39.9Cosmic and ritual culmination: Agni dwelling in tridhātu, invoked to worship the divine collectives (Three and Eleven) and to ‘fill and increase’ the worshippers as the perfectly fashioned messenger.Read verse 8.39.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Messenger between men and gods (dūta)
  • Inspired seer-poet (kaví/vipra)
  • Ritual priest and invoker (hotṛ)
  • Consecrator/anointer who brings the Devas near
  • Protector who drives away hostile forces
  • Wondrous worker (citra karma)
  • Dwelling in the threefold foundations (tridhātu)

Also by this seer

  • Attribution uncertain for RV 8.39; no securely linked additional hymns can be stated without relying on later, divergent traditions.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar and kindle the fire with focused recitation to establish Agni as hotṛ and dūta.
  • Invite Agni with praise as kaví, asking him to ‘anoint/set’ the Devas upon the worshippers (divine presence in the rite).
  • Offer oblations while affirming Agni’s ‘wondrous work’ and his power to propel the rite forward.
  • Recite protective refrains/intent: send hostile or opposing forces away ‘to another domain.’
  • Conclude by invoking Agni to worship the divine collectives (the Three and the Eleven) and to ‘fill and increase’ the sacrificer with strength and prosperity.

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya) oblations
  • Samidh/fuel-sticks
  • Optional: grains or soma-related offering where applicable to the larger rite
  • Dakṣiṇā (priestly gifts), echoed by the hymn’s mention of dakṣiṇābhis

Frequently Asked Questions

It praises Agni as the inner and outer priest who carries offerings to the Gods, brings divine help into the sacrifice, and drives harmful forces away.

Because Agni links the human ritual to the divine world: through the fire, offerings and prayers are conveyed to the Devas, and blessings return to the worshippers.

It refers to traditional groupings of deities invoked in Vedic ritual—Agni is asked to worship these divine collectives on behalf of the sacrificer and to strengthen the community.

Ask anything about Sukta 39 of the Rig Veda

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