Sukta 151
Sukta 10.151
Śraddhā (Faith/Assent) with reference to Agni and Bhaga
This brief hymn personifies Śraddhā (Faith/Assent) as the hidden power that makes sacrifice effective—kindling Agni, raising the offering, and securing auspicious allotment through Bhaga. It asks that the same steadfast confidence the gods established amid hostile forces be established in the sacrificer’s aims. Faith is invoked across the day’s three joints—dawn, midday, and sunset—so that truth-oriented intention becomes firm within the heart.
Mantras
Mantra 1
श्रद्धयाग्निः समिध्यते श्रद्धया हूयते हविः । श्रद्धां भगस्य मूर्धनि वचसा वेदयामसि ॥
By faith and assent the Fire is kindled; by faith the offering is called and lifted. Faith we place upon the summit of Bhaga—by the word we make it manifest in consciousness.
Mantra 2
प्रियं श्रद्धे ददतः प्रियं श्रद्धे दिदासतः । प्रियं भोजेषु यज्वस्विदं म उदितं कृधि ॥
O Faith, make dear the giver and make dear the generous one; make dear among the enjoyments the sacrificer. Make this my uttered intention rise and stand accomplished.
Mantra 3
यथा देवा असुरेषु श्रद्धामुग्रेषु चक्रिरे । एवं भोजेषु यज्वस्वस्माकमुदितं कृधि ॥
As the gods established faith amid the fierce Asuric powers, so too among our enjoyments and among our sacrificers make our raised intention effective and fulfilled.
Mantra 4
श्रद्धां देवा यजमाना वायुगोपा उपासते । श्रद्धां हृदय्ययाकूत्या श्रद्धया विन्दते वसु ॥
The gods and the sacrificers, guarded by the Breath (Vāyu), draw near to Faith. With a heart-born intention they turn to Faith; by Faith one finds the true Vasu—an inner wealth and fullness of being.
Mantra 5
श्रद्धां प्रातर्हवामहे श्रद्धां मध्यंदिनं परि । श्रद्धां सूर्यस्य निम्रुचि श्रद्धे श्रद्धापयेह नः ॥
We call Faith at the dawn; we encompass the mid-day with Faith. We call Faith at the Sun’s setting: O Faith, establish here in us the heart’s assent to the Truth.
Frequently Asked Questions
The hymn addresses Śraddhā—Faith or inner assent—personified as a divine power. Agni and Bhaga are referenced because faith makes the fire-rite work and brings an auspicious share of results.
That sacrifice and spiritual effort succeed through śraddhā: faith kindles Agni, empowers the offering, and makes one’s intention effective, even when circumstances are difficult.
It is especially fitting at dawn before lighting the fire or beginning worship, and it can also be recited at midday and sunset, following the hymn’s own three daily invocations of Śraddhā.