Sukta 188
Sukta 10.188
Agni Jātavedas
This short hymn invokes Agni as Jātavedas, urging his “steed” (his swift, effective power) to come and take his seat on the prepared barhis, the sacred ritual ground. The poet then raises a well-formed praise to Agni the generous giver, and finally calls on Agni’s radiant beams—those that carry offerings to the gods—to propel and successfully complete the sacrifice.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्र नूनं जातवेदसमश्वं हिनोत वाजिनम् । इदं नो बर्हिरासदे ॥
Now urge forward the steed of Jātavedas, the forceful carrier of plenitude; let him come to sit upon this our sacred seat (the prepared field of offering).
Mantra 2
अस्य प्र जातवेदसो विप्रवीरस्य मीळ्हुषः । महीमियर्मि सुष्टुतिम् ॥
To this Jātavedas—rich in inspired heroes and a bounteous giver—I uplift a great and well-shaped hymn of praise.
Mantra 3
या रुचो जातवेदसो देवत्रा हव्यवाहनीः । ताभिर्नो यज्ञमिन्वतु ॥
The rays of Jātavedas that bear the offering godward—by those may he set our sacrifice in motion and lead it to its fulfillment.
Frequently Asked Questions
It invites Agni as Jātavedas to come to the ritual seat, praises him as a generous power, and asks his radiance to carry offerings to the gods and make the sacrifice succeed.
The “steed” is a poetic image for Agni’s swift, forceful effectiveness—his ability to move the rite forward and deliver offerings quickly and powerfully.
They are Agni’s radiant powers that bear the oblation “devatrā” (toward the gods). The hymn asks that these rays energize and complete the yajña.