Sukta 69
Sukta 1.69
Gṛtsamada (traditional for RV 1.69, Agni-hymn)
Agni
Triṣṭubh (probable; requires metrical verification)
This Agni-hymn praises the Fire as a radiant, heaven-like light who moves on the right path and awakens the sacrifice like a lover of Dawn. It presents Agni as the divine power invoked by united human communities, opening the doors to prosperity, protection, and the vision of the solar world (svar). The hymn’s purpose is to kindle Agni inwardly and outwardly so he may carry offerings and grant all attainments.
Mantras
Mantra 1
शुक्रः शुशुक्वाँ उषो न जारः पप्रा समीची दिवो न ज्योतिः ॥
Luminous, intensely kindled—like a lover of Dawn—he has filled the right-going path, like the light of heaven.
Mantra 2
परि प्रजातः क्रत्वा बभूथ भुवो देवानां पिता पुत्रः सन् ॥
Born forth on every side by the power of will, thou hast become the father of the gods and yet their son—support of their becoming.
Mantra 3
वेधा अदृप्तो अग्निर्विजानन्नूधर्न गोनां स्वाद्मा पितूनाम् ॥
Agni, the ordainer, undismayed and discerning, knows the sweet nourishment of the fathers—like the udder of the cows that yields its milk.
Mantra 4
जने न शेव आहूर्यः सन्मध्ये निषत्तो रण्वो दुरोणे ॥
Like a benignant friend among men, worthy to be called, he sits in the midst—delightful in the dwelling-place within.
Mantra 5
पुत्रो न जातो रण्वो दुरोणे वाजी न प्रीतो विशो वि तारीत् ॥
Born like a son, delightful in the dwelling, like a glad winner of plenitude he carries the peoples across—he leads the many parts of the being beyond their limitations.
Mantra 6
विशो यदह्वे नृभिः सनीळा अग्निर्देवत्वा विश्वान्यश्याः ॥
When he is invoked by the human energies, united in one home, Agni, by the power of the godhead, attains and brings all fulfillments.
Mantra 7
नकिष्ट एता व्रता मिनन्ति नृभ्यो यदेभ्यः श्रुष्टिं चकर्थ ॥
None can diminish these laws of thine, for thou hast fashioned for the human energies their obedient hearing and right responsiveness.
Mantra 8
तत्तु ते दंसो यदहन्त्समानैर्नृभिर्यद्युक्तो विवे रपांसि ॥
This indeed is thy mastery: that with equal human powers thou smitest the obstructers, and, yoked to the work, thou discernest and separatest the confusions.
Mantra 9
उषो न जारो विभावोस्रः संज्ञातरूपश्चिकेतदस्मै ॥
Like a lover of the Dawn, the radiant one, the shining flame, known by his form, awakens perception in him (the seeker).
Mantra 10
त्मना वहन्तो दुरो व्यृण्वन्नवन्त विश्वे स्वर्दृशीके ॥
Bearing (the offering and the force) by the inmost self, opening wide the doors, all the powers that see the Sun-world support and foster (the seeker).
Frequently Asked Questions
It praises Agni as a brilliant, rightly-moving divine fire who makes the sacrifice succeed, carries offerings to the gods, and brings prosperity and inner illumination.
Dawn signals awakening and renewal; calling Agni Dawn’s lover highlights his intimate role in kindling light, beginning the rite, and stirring life and consciousness into activity.
On the ritual level it means removing obstacles so offerings and blessings can flow; inwardly it suggests opening the gates of perception toward svar—clear, luminous understanding.