Rig Veda Sukta 1
Mandala 10Sukta 17 Mantras

Sukta 1

Sukta 10.1

Rishi

Traditionally: Mādhucchandas or related Angiras line is often associated with early Agni hymns; for RV 10.1, Anukramaṇī traditions typically assign the hymn to a specific rishi-family (needs manuscript-specific confirmation).

Devata

Agni.

Chandas

Triṣṭubh (common for RV 10.1 opening verses; metrical confirmation recommended for digital scansion).

RV 10.1 abre el décimo maṇḍala invocando a Agni como la primera irrupción radiante desde la oscuridad, que se alza ante las Auroras y llena todas las moradas de luz. El himno alaba las muchas formas de Agni —siempre renovadas por las ofrendas— y lo establece como el Hotṛ de los linajes humanos, que lleva las plegarias y trae a los dioses al sacrificio.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 10.1

Mantras

Mantra 1

अग्रे बृहन्नुषसामूर्ध्वो अस्थान्निर्जगन्वान्तमसो ज्योतिषागात् । अग्निर्भानुना रुशता स्वङ्ग आ जातो विश्वा सद्मान्यप्राः ॥

Al comienzo, el Grande se alzó erguido ante las Uṣas, las Auroras; saltando fuera de la oscuridad, llegó por el poder de la luz. Agni, con su resplandor fulgente, de hermosos miembros, al nacer ha colmado todas las moradas.

Mantra 2

स जातो गर्भो असि रोदस्योरग्ने चारुर्विभृत ओषधीषु । चित्रः शिशुः परि तमांस्यक्तून्प्र मातृभ्यो अधि कनिक्रदद्गाः ॥

Nacido, eres el niño y el embrión secreto de los dos mundos, oh Agni, hermoso, sostenido en las plantas. Infante radiante, recorre en torno las noches de oscuridad; desde las Madres clama por encima, soltando los rayos —las vacas de la luz.

Mantra 3

विष्णुरित्था परममस्य विद्वाञ्जातो बृहन्नभि पाति तृतीयम् । आसा यदस्य पयो अक्रत स्वं सचेतसो अभ्यर्चन्त्यत्र ॥

Así Vishnu, conociendo lo supremo de esto, nacido vasto, guarda el tercer dominio. Cuando, por aspiración, han hecho suyo su leche, aquí los despiertos en conciencia lo veneran y le cantan.

Mantra 4

अत उ त्वा पितुभृतो जनित्रीरन्नावृधं प्रति चरन्त्यन्नैः । ता ईं प्रत्येषि पुनरन्यरूपा असि त्वं विक्षु मानुषीषु होता ॥

Por eso hacia ti avanzan las Madres nutridoras, portando la fuerza que sustenta, con sus alimentos — hacia ti, que creces por la sustancia interior. A ellas respondes de nuevo, tomando siempre formas distintas; tú eres el Hotar, el sacerdote invocador, entre los linajes humanos.

Mantra 5

होतारं चित्ररथमध्वरस्य यज्ञस्ययज्ञस्य केतुं रुशन्तम् । प्रत्यर्धिं देवस्यदेवस्य मह्ना श्रिया त्वग्निमतिथिं जनानाम् ॥

Tú afirmas a Agni, el Hotṛ del carro resplandeciente, el estandarte radiante de cada sacrificio; por la grandeza y el esplendor del Dios lo pones al frente como Huésped bienvenido de los pueblos.

Mantra 6

स तु वस्त्राण्यध पेशनानि वसानो अग्निर्नाभा पृथिव्याः । अरुषो जातः पद इळायाः पुरोहितो राजन्यक्षीह देवान् ॥

Él, Agni, poniéndose los vestidos tejidos y las formas, está asentado en el ombligo de la Tierra. El rojizo nace en el asiento de Iḷā; como sacerdote puesto al frente, oh Rey, sacrifica aquí a los dioses.

Mantra 7

आ हि द्यावापृथिवी अग्न उभे सदा पुत्रो न मातरा ततन्थ । प्र याह्यच्छोशतो यविष्ठाथा वह सहस्येह देवान् ॥

Pues al Cielo y a la Tierra, a ambos, los has extendido siempre, oh Agni, como un hijo a sus dos madres. Ve hacia los que anhelan, oh el más joven; y luego trae aquí a los dioses, oh poderoso.

Inside Sukta 1

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni arises vast and upright before the Dawns, bursting from darkness into light and filling all abodes.

  2. Development

    Agni is nourished by ‘mothers’ bearing food; he grows by inner substance and responds by assuming ever-new forms, becoming the Hotṛ among human clans.

  3. Climax

    Agni is praised as the one who spans Heaven and Earth like a son extending his two mothers, then is urged to go forth and fetch the gods.

  4. Where it settles

    The hymn settles into the practical aim of worship: Agni’s forward motion toward the worshippers and his successful conveyance of the gods to the sacrifice.

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the luminous Fire—newly born yet ancient—rising before the Dawns, leaping from darkness into light, and pervading the seats (sadmāni) of existence with brilliance.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between worlds: he kindles order through light, conveys offerings to the gods, and links Heaven and Earth as the sacrificial messenger (dūta) and priest (hotṛ).
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and clarifying intelligence: the inner flame that transforms raw impulses into insight, devotion, and right action, repeatedly taking ‘new forms’ as consciousness matures.

The seer

  • Mādhucchandas (traditional assignment; manuscript/Anukramaṇī-dependent for RV 10.1)Āṅgirasa (Angiras-related line; traditional association) · Remembered as an early seer linked with foundational Agni and dawn-oriented imagery, emphasizing Agni as the first awakener and priestly mediator.

Famous verses

nirjaganvān tamaso jyotiṣāgāt
Verse 10.1.1Programmatic opening for Mandala 10: Agni’s emergence from darkness into light before the Dawns, establishing him as the primal illuminator and pervader of all ‘seats’ of being.Read verse 10.1.1 →
punaḥ anyarūpā asi tvaṃ
Verse 10.1.4Defines Agni’s ritual psychology: nourished by the fostering ‘mothers’ (offerings/energies), he returns in ever-new forms and serves as Hotṛ within human communities.Read verse 10.1.4 →
vaha sahasyeha devān
Verse 10.1.7Climactic summons: Agni spans Heaven and Earth and is commanded to proceed to the worshippers and bring the gods—capturing Agni’s core mediating role.Read verse 10.1.7 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Hotṛ (invoking priest) within human clans
  • Light-bringer emerging from darkness
  • Many-formed, ever-renewed presence
  • Messenger who brings the gods to the rite
  • Cosmic extender/linker of Heaven and Earth
  • Beautiful-limbed, radiant, mighty (sahasya)

Also by this seer

  • Agni-centered hymnic style typical of early Āṅgirasa traditions (general attribution theme rather than a single fixed corpus for RV 10.1)
  • Associated in later tradition with inaugurating/priming invocations where Agni is set at the front of the rite

The rite, step by step

  • Kindle or rekindle the sacred fire and seat Agni as Hotṛ.
  • Recite the opening praise of Agni’s rising/light (establishing auspicious beginning).
  • Offer nourishing oblations that ‘increase’ Agni (food/fuel imagery).
  • Invite Agni to take ever-new forms through the rite (flame’s responsive presence).
  • Request Agni to go to the desiring worshippers and bring the gods to the altar.
  • Conclude with a direct call for divine arrival and successful mediation.

Offerings

  • Ghṛta (clarified butter) oblations
  • Samidh (fuel sticks)
  • Grain/food offerings (anna imagery)
  • Optional soma-related offerings when used in soma context

Frequently Asked Questions

It presents Agni as the first light that breaks out of darkness, then as the priestly fire who is nourished by offerings and who brings the gods to the ritual.

Because the fire changes with each offering and kindling—flaring, settling, and rising again—symbolizing a living presence that responds to worship and renews its power.

It fits well at the start of a fire ceremony: kindling Agni, offering ghee or fuel, and asking him to act as Hotṛ and messenger to invite the gods to the altar.

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