Rig Veda Sukta 84
Mandala 8Sukta 849 Mantras

Sukta 84

Sukta 8.84

Devata

Agni

Dieser Hymnus preist Agni als den meistgeliebten „Gast“ des Opfers – freundgleich, zugänglich und als wirksamen Träger (wie ein Wagen) der Absicht des Ritus. Zugleich wendet er sich nach innen mit einer nachdenklichen Frage nach der rechten geistigen Darbringung und der angemessenen Anrede im Kult, und er schließt damit, dass Agnis Schutz gesichertes Wohlergehen (kṣema) und das Wachstum heldischer Kraft (suvīrya) gewährt. Insgesamt ist es eine knappe Anrufung für das richtige Opfer, die rechte Haltung und behüteten Wohlstand durch Agnis Hüterschaft.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 8.84

Mantras

Mantra 1

प्रेष्ठं वो अतिथिं स्तुषे मित्रमिव प्रियम् । अग्निं रथं न वेद्यम् ॥

Den liebsten Gast preise ich euch, geliebt wie ein Freund—Agni, gleich einem Wagen, der zu erkennen und zu gebrauchen ist auf dem Weg des Opfers.

Mantra 2

कविमिव प्रचेतसं यं देवासो अध द्विता । नि मर्त्येष्वादधुः ॥

Wie ein ṛṣi, der Schauende, weitbewusst und erkennend, den haben die Götter immer wieder unter den Sterblichen eingesetzt—damit das göttliche Sehen im menschlichen Gefäß seinen Sitz finde.

Mantra 3

त्वं यविष्ठ दाशुषो नॄँ: पाहि शृणुधी गिरः । रक्षा तोकमुत त्मना ॥

Du, o Agni, der Jüngste, schütze die Männer, die spenden; höre unsere Worte. Behüte Kind und Geschlecht, und auch uns selbst — durch deine selbstbestehende Kraft.

Mantra 4

कया ते अग्ने अङ्गिर ऊर्जो नपादुपस्तुतिम् । वराय देव मन्यवे ॥

Auf welchem Weg des Bewusstseins, o Agni — o Aṅgiras, Sohn der Fülle — können wir dir recht die nahe Lobpreisung darbringen, um deiner erwählten Wonne willen, o Gott, um deiner mächtigen Glut willen?

Mantra 5

दाशेम कस्य मनसा यज्ञस्य सहसो यहो । कदु वोच इदं नमः ॥

Wem, und mit welchem Sinn, sollen wir dieses Opfer darbringen, o Macht der gewaltigen Energie? Und wann werde ich denn dieses Verneigen sprechen können — diese wahre Hingabe der Seele?

Mantra 6

अधा त्वं हि नस्करो विश्वा अस्मभ्यं सुक्षितीः । वाजद्रविणसो गिरः ॥

Darum wirst du uns wahrlich alle schönen und rechten Wohnstätten schenken — sukṣití, Stätten harmonischen Seins; und unsere Lieder/Worte werden Träger von vāja-draviṇasa sein, der Fülle an Kraft und dem Reichtum der Substanz.

Mantra 7

कस्य नूनं परीणसो धियो जिन्वसि दम्पते । गोषाता यस्य ते गिरः ॥

Wessen reichliche, gerundete Gedanken belebst du jetzt, o Herr des Hauses (dampati)? — dessen Worte zu dir goṣātā sind, Sieger der Kühe, der Lichtstrahlen.

Mantra 8

तं मर्जयन्त सुक्रतुं पुरोयावानमाजिषु । स्वेषु क्षयेषु वाजिनम् ॥

Ihn lassen sie erglänzen und reinigen — ihn, sukrátu, von gutem und rechtem Willen, den Vorangehenden in den Kämpfen; den vājin, den Kraftvollen in der Fülle der Stärke, in seinen eigenen gefestigten Wohnsitzen des Seins.

Mantra 9

क्षेति क्षेमेभिः साधुभिर्नकिर्यं घ्नन्ति हन्ति यः । अग्ने सुवीर एधते ॥

Er wohnt in sicherem Schutz, in heilsamen Ordnungen; niemand erschlägt den, den du behütest. O Agni, er wächst zu reicher Heldenkraft heran.

Inside Sukta 84

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is welcomed and praised as the dearest Guest, beloved like a friend, and as the effective vehicle of the sacrificial journey.

  2. Development

    The hymn moves from straightforward laudation to a searching question about the proper mind and correct orientation in offering—how and to whom the sacrifice should be directed in truth.

  3. Climax

    The turning point is the explicit self-inquiry and surrender (namaḥ): worship is not only act but right intention, voiced as a sincere bowing of the being.

  4. Where it settles

    It resolves in assurance: the one protected by Agni dwells in safeties (kṣema), is unharmed by foes, and grows into strong, prosperous heroism (suvīra).

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the divine Fire, invoked as the cherished atithi (guest) in the human home and altar, the priestly messenger who receives offerings and conveys them to the gods. He is praised as dear like a friend (mitra-iva priyam), worthy to be ‘known/used’ in the rite, and as a mighty power (sahas) who protects the worshiper.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between worlds: he links earth and heaven by transforming offerings into divine nourishment, maintaining ṛta (right order) through the sacrificial exchange and acting as protector and establisher of safe dwelling (kṣema).
  • Inner significanceAgni signifies awakened will, aspiration, and the clarifying intelligence that ‘cooks’ experience into insight; as inner fire he purifies intention, makes worship sincere, and builds courage and steady strength (suvīrya).

Famous verses

preṣṭhaṃ vo atithiṃ (the dearest guest)
Verse 8.84.1Establishes the hymn’s central image: Agni as the beloved atithi (guest) and friend-like presence, and as the ‘chariot’ that carries the sacrifice forward—both intimate and functional.Read verse 8.84.1 →
kad u voca idaṃ namaḥ
Verse 8.84.5Captures the hymn’s introspective core: the question of the right mind (manas) for yajña and the maturity to utter true namaḥ—highlighting inner alignment over mere ritual form.Read verse 8.84.5 →
क्षेति क्षेमेभिः साधुभिर्नकिर्यं घ्नन्ति हन्ति यः । अग्ने सुवीर एधते ॥
Verse 8.84.9Summarizes the protective fruit of Agni-worship: secure well-being (kṣema), inviolability under divine guardianship, and the blossoming of heroic strength (suvīrya).Read verse 8.84.9 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Atithi (beloved guest)
  • Mitra-like (friendly, intimate)
  • Hotṛ/ṛtvij (priestly power that conducts the rite)
  • Dūta (messenger who carries offerings)
  • Sahas (forceful energy, spiritual power)
  • Rakṣitṛ (protector granting kṣema—secure well-being)

Also by this seer

  • Attribution of RV 8.84 is uncertain; no firmly established additional hymns can be assigned to this same seer on internal evidence alone.
  • In Mandala 8, several hymns are associated with Kāṇva lineages in general, but this particular sūkta’s rṣi identification remains unclear in the supplied context.

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the altar/fire-place and ritually cleanse the space and mind (saṃskāra of intention).
  • Kindle or rekindle Agni; invite him as atithi with praise and respectful welcome.
  • Recite the hymn while establishing Agni as the guiding ‘chariot’ of the sacrifice—carrier of offerings and prayers.
  • Make offerings with focused manas (right mental orientation), aligning speech (vāc) and reverence (namaḥ).
  • Conclude with a protective petition: may Agni grant kṣema (secure dwelling) and foster suvīrya (strong, heroic vitality).

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Grain/oblations as appropriate to the rite
  • Reverential salutations (namaḥ) as a verbal/mental offering

Frequently Asked Questions

It welcomes Agni as the most beloved presence in the sacrifice and stresses that worship needs the right mind and sincere reverence; Agni then grants protection, security, and strength.

Because Agni is invited into the home and altar like an honored visitor; once welcomed, he receives offerings and connects the human rite to the divine world.

Safe well-being (kṣema), protection from harm, and the growth of strong, capable vitality—described as becoming “suvīra,” rich in heroic power.

Ask anything about Sukta 84 of the Rig Veda

Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.

Not sure where to start?

A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.

Read Rig Veda in the Vedapath app

Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play

Continue reading in the Vedapath app

Open in App
Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play