Sukta 10
Sukta 4.10
Agni
This hymn praises Agni as the swift, heart-touching power of right will (kratu) that makes the worshipper prosper through inspired effort and divine impulse. Agni is celebrated as the ever-present seer—shining by day and night—who brings beauty, harmony, and increase, and who establishes a friendly, brotherly bond between humans and the host of gods. The sukta’s purpose is to invoke Agni’s luminous guidance and protective companionship so the sacrificer’s home and inner “navel-centre” become a steady source of nourishment and strength.
Mantras
Mantra 1
अग्ने तमद्याश्वं न स्तोमैः क्रतुं न भद्रं हृदिस्पृशम् । ऋध्यामा त ओहैः ॥
O Agni, today by our hymns we would prosper in that—like a swift steed—thy good and luminous will, touching the heart; may we increase by thy impulsions and energies.
Mantra 3
एभिर्नो अर्कैर्भवा नो अर्वाङ्स्वर्ण ज्योतिः । अग्ने विश्वेभिः सुमना अनीकैः ॥
By these flames of the Word be present for us; come to us from the luminous world as light itself, O Agni—be gracious in mind with all thy faces and powers.
Mantra 4
आभिष्टे अद्य गीर्भिर्गृणन्तोऽग्ने दाशेम । प्र ते दिवो न स्तनयन्ति शुष्माः ॥
With these our uttered words, praising you today, O Agni, may we offer ourselves and our gains to you. May your powers surge forth like the thunderings of heaven—forces that awaken and drive out the inertia of darkness.
Mantra 5
तव स्वादिष्ठाग्ने संदृष्टिरिदा चिदह्न इदा चिदक्तोः । श्रिये रुक्मो न रोचत उपाके ॥
O Agni most sweet in essence, your perfect seeing shines near at hand—by day and also by night. Like a golden ornament it gleams for the soul’s increase of beauty and harmony.
Mantra 6
घृतं न पूतं तनूररेपाः शुचि हिरण्यम् । तत्ते रुक्मो न रोचत स्वधावः ॥
Your body is like clarified butter, purified—stainless, a pure gold. That in you shines like a golden splendor, O self-lawed one, born of your own inherent power.
Mantra 7
कृतं चिद्धि ष्मा सनेमि द्वेषोऽग्न इनोषि मर्तात् । इत्था यजमानादृतावः ॥
Even what is already fashioned into hostility, that too we can win through—since you, O Agni, drive the hatred away from the mortal. Thus you guard the sacrificer who walks in the Truth-Order.
Mantra 8
शिवा नः सख्या सन्तु भ्रात्राग्ने देवेषु युष्मे । सा नो नाभिः सदने सस्मिन्नूधन् ॥
May there be for us a gracious friendship—O Agni, as a brother among you gods. Let that become our navel-centre in this dwelling, a sustaining udder of nourishment within the home of the being.
Frequently Asked Questions
It asks Agni to awaken a good, luminous resolve in us, to guide the heart, and to bring steady prosperity—like a swift power that helps our efforts succeed.
It highlights Agni as constant vision and protection: not only the physical fire, but also an ever-present light of awareness that stays near in all conditions.
Agni is invoked as an intimate ally among the gods, and as the household’s central support—like a living centre that nourishes, protects, and holds the family together.