Sukta 13
Sukta 7.13
Vasiṣṭha
Agni Vaiśvānara
Triṣṭubh (probable; needs metrical verification)
This brief tri-verse hymn of Vasiṣṭha invokes Agni in his Vaiśvānara form as the all-purifying, world-filling fire who destroys hostile powers and clears obstructions. It praises Agni’s birth as a cosmic event that fills both worlds and liberates the gods from oppression. The hymn culminates in a prayer that Agni reveal the “path” for brahman (sacred word/aspiration) and that the divine powers protect the worshippers with lasting well-being.
Mantras
Mantra 1
प्राग्नये विश्वशुचे धियंधेऽसुरघ्ने मन्म धीतिं भरध्वम् । भरे हविर्न बर्हिषि प्रीणानो वैश्वानराय यतये मतीनाम् ॥
Bring forward the thought for Agni, the all-purifying, the slayer of the hostile powers; bring the inspired word and the seeing intelligence. As one who is satisfied on the sacred seat like an oblation, he labours for Vaiśvānara, the guide of our thoughts.
Mantra 2
त्वमग्ने शोचिषा शोशुचान आ रोदसी अपृणा जायमानः । त्वं देवाँ अभिशस्तेरमुञ्चो वैश्वानर जातवेदो महित्वा ॥
O Agni, blazing with your flame, when you are born you fill the two worlds. You release the gods from hostile oppression; O Vaiśvānara, O Jātavedas, by your greatness.
Mantra 3
जातो यदग्ने भुवना व्यख्यः पशून्न गोपा इर्यः परिज्मा । वैश्वानर ब्रह्मणे विन्द गातुं यूयं पात स्वस्तिभिः सदा नः ॥
O Agni, when thou wert born and didst spread thy gaze over the worlds, like a herdsman guarding the rays (of light/knowledge), moving around and through all. O Vaiśvānara, discover for the soul’s aspiring Word (brahman) the path of passage; and may you (divine powers) guard us always with states of well-being.
Frequently Asked Questions
Vaiśvānara is Agni as the “universal” fire—present in sacrifice and in the cosmos—who purifies, protects, and guides human prayer toward the gods.
It poetically says Agni’s appearance is cosmic: his light and power spread through heaven and earth, establishing order, clarity, and the conditions for worship and protection.
The hymn asks Agni to remove hostile pressures, reveal the right “path” (gātu) for brahman (sacred word/aspiration), and keep the worshippers safe in lasting well-being (svasti).