Sukta 78
Sukta 1.78
Gautama (Gotama lineage; ‘Gotamāḥ’ indicates the family-seers)
Agni (Jātavedas)
Gāyatrī (3×8 syllables)
This brief Gāyatrī hymn calls Agni Jātavedas, the all-knowing fire, to be powerfully kindled and driven forward by inspired speech and "luminous strengths" (dyumnaiḥ). The seers of the Gotama line (and the Rahūgaṇas as named) invoke him as wide-seeing and most victorious in winning vāja—vital force and plenitude—so that his light and energy may work within the worshippers.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अभि त्वा गोतमा गिरा जातवेदो विचर्षणे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
Toward you, O Jātavedas, wide-seeing Power, the Gotamas press with the word; with luminous strengths we urge you forward within us.
Mantra 2
तमु त्वा गोतमो गिरा रायस्कामो दुवस्यति । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
That you, O Agni, Gotama serves with the inspired word, desiring the rayi—fullness of being; with luminous powers we urge you to advance within us.
Mantra 3
तमु त्वा वाजसातममङ्गिरस्वद्धवामहे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
That you we call, most victorious in the winning of vāja—plenitude of force—O Angiras-like flame; with luminous powers we urge you onward in us.
Mantra 4
तमु त्वा वृत्रहन्तमं यो दस्यूँरवधूनुषे । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
That you we call, most potent slayer of the Vṛtra within, who shakes off the dasyus—forces of obstruction; with luminous powers we urge you forward in us.
Mantra 5
अवोचाम रहूगणा अग्नये मधुमद्वचः । द्युम्नैरभि प्र णोनुमः ॥
We, the Rahūgaṇas, have spoken to Agni a honeyed word—speech that carries delight and truth; with luminous powers we urge him forward within us.
Frequently Asked Questions
It calls Agni (Jātavedas) to be strongly kindled and made active through sincere mantra and offerings, so his light and strength work both in the ritual fire and within the worshipper.
The refrain emphasizes the act of “urging forward” Agni with dyumna—luminous power or brilliance—showing that the hymn is meant to intensify Agni’s presence and effectiveness.
It means “honeyed speech”—words that are pleasing, true, and spiritually effective—treated as an offering that kindles Agni and brings beneficial results.