Sukta 12
Sukta 5.12
Vasiṣṭha (traditional attribution for RV 5.12)
Agni
Triṣṭubh
This short Triṣṭubh hymn to Agni presents the seer’s “well-purified” speech as an oblation, praising Agni as the vast, truth-bearing Bull (vṛṣan) who establishes and protects Ṛta in the sacrifice. It asks who binds hostile forces, who guards Agni’s share from untruth, and who keeps the “word” safe—implying that right-ordered ritual, disciplined speech, and divine guardianship together secure victory and a stable dwelling for the worshipper.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्राग्नये बृहते यज्ञियाय ऋतस्य वृष्णे असुराय मन्म । घृतं न यज्ञ आस्ये सुपूतं गिरं भरे वृषभाय प्रतीचीम् ॥
Forth to Agni, the Vast, the worthy of the sacrifice, the Bull of the Truth, the Lord of divine might, I bring my thought. Like clarified light in the mouth of the sacrifice, I bear a well-purified utterance turned inward toward the Bull-power.
Mantra 2
ऋतं चिकित्व ऋतमिच्चिकिद्ध्यृतस्य धारा अनु तृन्धि पूर्वीः । नाहं यातुं सहसा न द्वयेन ऋतं सपाम्यरुषस्य वृष्णः ॥
O knower, know the Truth, know indeed the Truth; cleave thy way along the many ancient streams of the Truth. I cannot reach it by force, nor by divided dual means; I follow and win the Truth of the Ruddy Bull—Agni’s fiery power.
Mantra 3
कया नो अग्न ऋतयन्नृतेन भुवो नवेदा उचथस्य नव्यः । वेदा मे देव ऋतुपा ऋतूनां नाहं पतिं सनितुरस्य रायः ॥
By what way, O Agni, moving in the Truth by the Truth, wilt thou become for us the ever-new knower of the hymn? The god, the guardian of the seasons, knows for me the seasons; I do not yet win the master of this wealth of fulfillment.
Mantra 4
के ते अग्ने रिपवे बन्धनासः के पायवः सनिषन्त द्युमन्तः । के धासिमग्ने अनृतस्य पान्ति क आसतो वचसः सन्ति गोपाः ॥
Who are they, O Agni, that bind the enemy for thee? Who are the shining guardians that win? Who protect thy portion from the untruth? Who are the herdsmen of the word, guarding it from falsehood?
Mantra 5
सखायस्ते विषुणा अग्न एते शिवासः सन्तो अशिवा अभूवन् । अधूर्षत स्वयमेते वचोभिॠजूयते वृजिनानि ब्रुवन्तः ॥
These comrades of thine, O Agni, though separated, though seeming kindly, became unkind. They rushed forward of themselves with their words, speaking crookedness to one who goes straight.
Mantra 6
यस्ते अग्ने नमसा यज्ञमीट्ट ऋतं स पात्यरुषस्य वृष्णः । तस्य क्षयः पृथुरा साधुरेतु प्रसर्स्राणस्य नहुषस्य शेषः ॥
Whoever, O Agni, with reverence kindles and serves the sacrifice that is founded on Ṛta—he is guarded by the ardent, impetuous Power (the red Bull of the will). For him let there come a wide and stable dwelling of being; let the rightful remainder of Nahusha—of the ever-pressing human seeker—arrive as a sure support.
Frequently Asked Questions
It teaches that when the sacrifice is done in harmony with Ṛta (truth-order) and with purified speech and reverence, Agni protects the worshipper, restrains hostile forces, and grants stable well-being.
In Vedic thought, speech is powerful and must be kept truthful and ritually pure. The hymn asks for protectors who keep the mantra and Agni’s share safe from anṛta—falsehood, confusion, and disorder.
It can be recited at the lighting of a sacred fire (or lamp) with a small ghee offering, focusing on truthful intention, careful speech, and asking for inner protection and steadiness in daily life.