Sukta 17
Sukta 3.17
Viśvāmitra Gāthina
Agni
Tr̥ṣṭubh (likely; common for RV 3.17—verify in metrical index)
This short Agni hymn from Viśvāmitra praises the fire-god as the first to be kindled according to r̥ta (ritual-cosmic order), the purifier whose flame leads the sacrifice and brings the gods. It highlights Agni’s anointing through the cycle of nights and days, his kinship with the dawns, and asks him—wise and law-abiding—to secure divine help, well-being, and a smooth course for the adhvara (sacrificial rite).
Mantras
Mantra 1
समिध्यमानः प्रथमानु धर्मा समक्तुभिरज्यते विश्ववारः । शोचिष्केशो घृतनिर्णिक्पावकः सुयज्ञो अग्निर्यजथाय देवान् ॥
Kindled, he goes first according to the eternal law of the rite; with nights and days he is anointed, the bearer of all desirable boons. With hair of flame, with a gleam as of clarified light, the purifier—Agni, perfecter of the sacrifice—moves to the act of worship that brings the gods.
Mantra 2
यथायजो होत्रमग्ने पृथिव्या यथा दिवो जातवेदश्चिकित्वान् । एवानेन हविषा यक्षि देवान्मनुष्वद्यज्ञं प्र तिरेममद्य ॥
As once you performed the priestly work on earth, and as from heaven, O Jātavedas, you did it with conscious knowledge—so now by this offering-sacrifice, sacrifice to the gods in the human way; carry this yajña forward beyond its present limit, today.
Mantra 3
त्रीण्यायूंषि तव जातवेदस्तिस्र आजानीरुषसस्ते अग्ने । ताभिर्देवानामवो यक्षि विद्वानथा भव यजमानाय शं योः ॥
Three are your life-powers, O Jātavedas; three are the dawns, your near-born kin, O Agni. With them, knowing, sacrifice to win the gods’ help; then become for the sacrificer peace and a happy wideness.
Mantra 4
अग्निं सुदीतिं सुदृशं गृणन्तो नमस्यामस्त्वेड्यं जातवेदः । त्वां दूतमरतिं हव्यवाहं देवा अकृण्वन्नमृतस्य नाभिम् ॥
Singing Agni, well-kindled and beautiful to behold, we bow to you, O Jātavedas, worthy of our seeking. The gods made you their messenger, the tireless mover, the carrier of the offering—navel-centre of the deathless.
Mantra 5
यस्त्वद्धोता पूर्वो अग्ने यजीयान्द्विता च सत्ता स्वधया च शम्भुः । तस्यानु धर्म प्र यजा चिकित्वोऽथ नो धा अध्वरं देववीतौ ॥
He who was your first priest, O Agni—more worshipful than others—who is also the second presence, self-sustained in his own law and a bringer of bliss: following his rite-order, sacrifice forth with conscious knowledge; then set for us the course of the adhvara in the gods’ welcoming.
Frequently Asked Questions
It presents Agni as the first and essential power of sacrifice—purifying, correctly ordered by r̥ta, and able to bring the gods to the offering—while asking him to grant help, peace, and a successful rite.
It uses a symbolic triad to show Agni’s deep vitality and his close alliance with dawn (renewal and right beginning), then prays that this power will secure divine support and well-being for the sacrificer.
It is well suited for the opening of a fire rite: kindling Agni, offering ghee, and invoking him as hotar to invite the deities, while requesting a smooth, protected course of the sacrifice.