Sukta 64
Rishi: Atharvanic tradition (late book; specific ṛṣi attribution varies by anukramaṇī)
Devata: Agni Jātavedas
Chandas: Anuṣṭubh-like
Mantras
Mantra 1
दीर्घायुत्वम्। अग्ने समिधमाहार्षं बृहते जातवेदसे । स मे श्रद्धां च मेधां च जातवेदाः प्र यच्छतु
Long life! O Agni, I have brought the fuel-stick unto the mighty Jātavedas. May he—Jātavedas—bestow on me, in full, both faith and understanding.
Mantra 2
इध्मेन त्वा जातवेदः समिधा वर्धयामसि । तथा त्वमस्मान् वर्धय प्रजया च धनेन च
With fuel we strengthen thee, O Jātavedas, with the kindling-stick we make thee wax; so do thou, in like wise, increase us with progeny and with wealth.
Mantra 3
यदग्ने यानि कानि चिदा ते दारूणि दध्मसि । सर्वं तदस्तु मे शिवं तज्जुषस्व यविष्ठ्य
Whatsoever woods, O Agni, of any sort at all we lay for thee, let all that be for me benign; accept thou it with favour, O youngest.
Mantra 4
एतास्ते अग्ने समिधस्त्वमिद्धः समिद् भव । आयुरस्मासु धेह्यमृतत्वमाचार्याय
These are thy kindlings, O Agni; thou, being kindled, become a kindling (a support) to us: set life within us; (set) deathlessness for the Teacher.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is recited to obtain long life (āyus) along with medhā (clear intelligence) and śraddhā (steady faith), by kindling Agni with samidh and asking him to make the rite auspicious.
Because it aims to remove defects in the offering: even if the fuel differs in type or quality, the mantra asks Agni to accept it and make the result śiva—benign and welfare-giving.
In this context it means enduring vitality and unimpaired standing for the teacher—an āyuṣya blessing that protects the teaching line and the household’s guiding authority.