Sukta 28
Sukta 5.28
Agni (with strong presence of Uṣas as accompanying power)
This short hymn praises Agni as the kindled, heaven-reaching flame whose radiance meets Uṣas (Dawn) as she arrives from the East bearing all desirable gifts. It links the dawn-lit awakening of the world with the awakening of the sacrifice, urging worshippers to choose Agni as havyavāhana—the sure carrier of offerings to the gods.
Mantras
Mantra 1
समिद्धो अग्निर्दिवि शोचिरश्रेत्प्रत्यङ्ङुषसमुर्विया वि भाति । एति प्राची विश्ववारा नमोभिर्देवाँ ईळाना हविषा घृताची ॥
Kindled, Agni’s flame in heaven shoots forth; facing the Dawn it shines wide and far. The Dawn comes from the East, bearer of all desirable things; with acts of reverence she calls the gods, offering the oblation, moving in streams of clarified will.
Mantra 2
समिध्यमानो अमृतस्य राजसि हविष्कृण्वन्तं सचसे स्वस्तये । विश्वं स धत्ते द्रविणं यमिन्वस्यातिथ्यमग्ने नि च धत्त इत्पुरः ॥
As you blaze in the realm of immortality, you companion the one who prepares the offering, for his well-being. You place in him the whole wealth of being; and the hospitality he extends, O Agni, you establish it firmly in the front of his life.
Mantra 3
अग्ने शर्ध महते सौभगाय तव द्युम्नान्युत्तमानि सन्तु । सं जास्पत्यं सुयममा कृणुष्व शत्रूयतामभि तिष्ठा महांसि ॥
O Agni, marshal your host for a great good-fortune; let your highest luminous powers be with us. Build in us the lordship of the household of being and a right governance; stand over the hostile motions and surpass them by your greatness.
Mantra 4
समिद्धस्य प्रमहसोऽग्ने वन्दे तव श्रियम् । वृषभो द्युम्नवाँ असि समध्वरेष्विध्यसे ॥
O Agni, kindled in your great might, I adore your radiance and grace. A bull of force, full of splendor, you are; in the sacrifices you are kindled into harmony.
Mantra 5
समिद्धो अग्न आहुत देवान्यक्षि स्वध्वर । त्वं हि हव्यवाळसि ॥
O Agni, when you are kindled and offered to, sacrifice to the gods in the well-ordered path of offering; for you indeed are the bearer who brings the oblation to the divine powers.
Mantra 6
आ जुहोता दुवस्यताग्निं प्रयत्यध्वरे । वृणीध्वं हव्यवाहनम् ॥
Come, offer; serve with devotion Agni in the forward-moving sacrifice. Choose him—the bearer who carries the oblation—for he leads the offering to its divine fulfilment.
Frequently Asked Questions
It celebrates Agni as the bright, kindled fire that becomes most vivid at dawn, and it urges worshippers to offer with reverence and let Agni carry the gift to the gods.
Dawn represents the daily renewal of light and order; the hymn shows Agni’s flame meeting that renewal, so the sacrifice begins in the same spirit of awakening and freshness.
It can be recited when lighting a ritual fire, especially in the early morning, while offering ghee or simple oblations and mentally ‘choosing’ Agni as the messenger of the offering.