Sukta 76
Sukta 1.76
Gautama (Gautama Rahūgaṇa tradition for RV 1.76–1.77; family hymn context: Gautamas)
Agni (as Hotṛ, inner divine Will and priest of the sacrifice)
Triṣṭubh (11-syllable pādas; standard for many Agni hymns in this section)
This short Triṣṭubh hymn of the Gautamas addresses Agni as the true Hotṛ and inner priest, asking what right mental approach and inspired insight best reaches him. It prays for Agni’s protective, purifying power to burn hostile forces (rakṣas) and to conduct the rite by bringing the Soma-lord (typically Indra) to the offering. The hymn closes by recalling Agni’s ancient seerhood and urging him to sacrifice today with the “glad ladle,” i.e., a willing and joyful intention.
Mantras
Mantra 1
का त उपेतिर्मनसो वराय भुवदग्ने शंतमा का मनीषा । को वा यज्ञैः परि दक्षं त आप केन वा ते मनसा दाशेम ॥
What approach of the mind may become for you, O Agni, the most peace-giving and the most excellent? What inspired insight is it? Who has encompassed and reached your power by the offerings of sacrifice? With what inner intention of mind may we truly give ourselves to you?
Mantra 2
एह्यग्न इह होता नि षीदादब्धः सु पुरएता भवा नः । अवतां त्वा रोदसी विश्वमिन्वे यजा महे सौमनसाय देवान् ॥
Come here, O Agni; sit down here as the inviolable priest. Become for us the good leader who goes in front. May Heaven and Earth, the all-stimulating pair, uphold you. Sacrifice to the Gods for the great harmony of our soul-nature.
Mantra 3
प्र सु विश्वान्रक्षसो धक्ष्यग्ने भवा यज्ञानामभिशस्तिपावा । अथा वह सोमपतिं हरिभ्यामातिथ्यमस्मै चकृमा सुदाव्ने ॥
Burn away, O Agni, all the forces of darkness; become the purifier who protects our sacrifices from hostile assault. Then bring the Lord of Soma with his tawny steeds; for him, the generous giver, we have prepared the hospitality of the offering.
Mantra 4
प्रजावता वचसा वह्निरासा च हुवे नि च सत्सीह देवैः । वेषि होत्रमुत पोत्रं यजत्र बोधि प्रयन्तर्जनितर्वसूनाम् ॥
With a word full of creative power I call you, O bearer of the flame; come and sit here with the Gods. You carry the office of invocation and also of purification; awaken as the forward-moving one, O begetter of the riches of being.
Mantra 5
यथा विप्रस्य मनुषो हविर्भिर्देवाँ अयजः कविभिः कविः सन् । एवा होतः सत्यतर त्वमद्याग्ने मन्द्रया जुह्वा यजस्व ॥
As you once, being the seer among seers, didst sacrifice to the Gods for the illumined mortal with his offerings, so now, O Hotṛ most true, O Agni, sacrifice today with the glad ladle of the will.
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that the sacrifice succeeds through the right inner intention and insight, while Agni as Hotṛ purifies the rite, protects it from hostile forces, and brings the Gods to the offering.
Because the Vedic yajña is not only an outer ritual; it also requires a truthful, well-directed inner state. The hymn seeks the most peace-giving and effective way to align the mind with Agni.
In many Rigvedic contexts, the Soma-lord with tawny horses points to Indra, invited to drink Soma. Here Agni is asked to bring that deity as the honored guest of the offering.