Sukta 18
Sukta 5.18
Vasiṣṭha (Book 5 attribution)
Agni (as Atithi, the Guest)
Triṣṭubh (likely)
This short hymn praises Agni at dawn as Atithi—the divine Guest welcomed into the human dwelling through fire and offering. Agni is invoked as the immortal who delights in mortal oblations, drives forward unharmed like a chariot, and magnifies the fame and prosperity of generous patrons.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्रातरग्निः पुरुप्रियो विशः स्तवेतातिथिः । विश्वानि यो अमर्त्यो हव्या मर्तेषु रण्यति ॥
At dawn let Agni, beloved of many, be praised by the peoples as the Guest. Immortal, he delights in all the offerings among mortals—awakening the joy of the sacred exchange in the human house.
Mantra 2
द्विताय मृक्तवाहसे स्वस्य दक्षस्य मंहना । इन्दं। स धत्त आनुषक्स्तोता चित्ते अमर्त्य ॥
Again and again, to you who bear the purified offering, by the generous force of your own discerning skill, the priest sets the Soma-joy in you continuously, O Immortal—so that the flame may drink the delight of truth and increase it.
Mantra 3
तं वो दीर्घायुशोचिषं गिरा हुवे मघोनाम् । अरिष्टो येषां रथो व्यश्वदावन्नीयते ॥
Him, the long-lived Flame of shining power, I call with the word of invocation for you—(for) the givers of plenitude; whose chariot moves forth unharmed, driven wide by the steeds of force.
Mantra 4
चित्रा वा येषु दीधितिरासन्नुक्था पान्ति ये । स्तीर्णं बर्हिः स्वर्णरे श्रवांसि दधिरे परि ॥
They in whom the many-coloured illuminations are established, who guard the inspired hymns; who have strewn the sacred seat, O lord of the luminous heaven, and have set their powers of hearing-fame all around.
Mantra 5
ये मे पञ्चाशतं ददुरश्वानां सधस्तुति । द्युमदग्ने महि श्रवो बृहत्कृधि मघोनां नृवदमृत नृणाम् ॥
They who gave me fifty of the steeds of force—O companion in the session of praise—O luminous Agni, make vast and great the soul’s hearing-glory of the bountiful ones, manful among men, O immortal.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because the sacred fire is welcomed into the home like an honored guest. Through kindling and offering, Agni ‘arrives,’ is praised, and receives hospitality in the form of oblations.
Protection and successful forward movement, along with increased splendor and lasting fame (śravas) for those who give generously and support the rite.
At dawn, when lighting or renewing the fire for morning worship, since the hymn explicitly invokes Agni “in the morning” and frames him as the first guest of the day’s sacrifice.
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