Rig Veda Sukta 1
Mandala 2Sukta 116 Mantras

Sukta 1

Sukta 2.1

Rishi

Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)

Devata

Agni

Chandas

Gāyatrī (RV 2.1 is predominantly gāyatrī)

RV 2.1 invoca a Agni como el fuego nacido de todo, siempre puro, que surge del resplandor del cielo, de las aguas, de la piedra, de la madera y de las plantas, y que se enciende en el hogar humano y en el corazón. El himno alaba las muchas formas relacionales de Agni —padre, hermano, hijo y amigo— y le pide que guíe a los adoradores y a los patronos hacia la prosperidad, la protección y una expresión «vasta» (bṛhat) en la asamblea.

Recitation with translationRig Veda 2.1

Mantras

Mantra 1

त्वमग्ने द्युभिस्त्वमाशुशुक्षणिस्त्वमद्भ्यस्त्वमश्मनस्परि । त्वं वनेभ्यस्त्वमोषधीभ्यस्त्वं नृणां नृपते जायसे शुचिः ॥

Tú, oh Agni, naces de las alturas luminosas; tú eres el encendedor veloz. Naces de las aguas y de la piedra. Naces de los bosques, de las plantas; tú, señor de los hombres, naces como llama pura—en nosotros.

Mantra 2

तवाग्ने होत्रं तव पोत्रमृत्वियं तव नेष्ट्रं त्वमग्निदृतायतः । तव प्रशास्त्रं त्वमध्वरीयसि ब्रह्मा चासि गृहपतिश्च नो दमे ॥

Tuyo, oh Agni, es el hotra, el llamado de la ofrenda; tuyo el potra, la custodia purificadora; tuyo el neṣṭra, el ordenar ritual en la estación justa; tuya la guía del camino; tú eres Agni, que avanza por la Verdad. Tuyo es el praśāstra, la palabra que dirige; tú realizas el sacrificio; tú eres el Brahman, la potencia sagrada, y eres para nosotros el gṛhapati, señor del hogar dentro de la casa.

Mantra 3

त्वमग्न इन्द्रो वृषभः सतामसि त्वं विष्णुरुरुगायो नमस्यः । त्वं ब्रह्मा रयिविद्ब्रह्मणस्पते त्वं विधर्तः सचसे पुरंध्या ॥

Tú, oh Agni, eres Indra, el toro de los luminosos; tú eres Viṣṇu, de amplias zancadas, digno de veneración. Tú eres el Brahman, conocedor y dador de plenitud, oh Brahmaṇaspati; tú, oh Sustentador, te unes a Purandhyā, la plenitud de la inteligencia que discierne.

Mantra 4

त्वमग्ने राजा वरुणो धृतव्रतस्त्वं मित्रो भवसि दस्म ईड्यः । त्वमर्यमा सत्पतिर्यस्य सम्भुजं त्वमंशो विदथे देव भाजयुः ॥

Tú, oh Agni, eres el rey Varuṇa, firme en el voto, asentado en la ley; tú te vuelves Mitra, el admirable, digno de invocación. Tú eres Aryaman, el verdadero señor que concede el goce compartido; tú eres Aṃśa en la asamblea, oh dios, que repartes las porciones, otorgando a cada cual su parte.

Mantra 5

त्वमग्ने त्वष्टा विधते सुवीर्यं तव ग्नावो मित्रमहः सजात्यम् । त्वमाशुहेमा ररिषे स्वश्व्यं त्वं नरां शर्धो असि पुरूवसुः ॥

Tú, oh Agni, eres Tvaṣṭṛ: para el que rinde el servicio forjas la fuerza heroica; tus fuegos afines son de un mismo nacimiento, oh amigo de grandes dones. Con presteza traes la riqueza dorada, otorgas buenos corceles de energía; eres la hueste de los hombres, amplio en abundancia, de muchos bienes.

Mantra 6

त्वमग्ने रुद्रो असुरो महो दिवस्त्वं शर्धो मारुतं पृक्ष ईशिषे । त्वं वातैररुणैर्यासि शंगयस्त्वं पूषा विधतः पासि नु त्मना ॥

Tú, oh Agni, eres Rudra, Asura, el poderoso señor del vasto cielo; gobiernas la hueste de los Marut, fuerte en crecimiento. Avanzas con los vientos rojizos, portador de paz; eres Pūṣan, que guarda al que ordena la obra—ahora por tu propia fuerza.

Mantra 7

त्वमग्ने द्रविणोदा अरंकृते त्वं देवः सविता रत्नधा असि । त्वं भगो नृपते वस्व ईशिषे त्वं पायुर्दमे यस्तेऽविधत् ॥

Tú, oh Agni, eres el dador de plenitud para el que está dispuesto; tú eres el dios Savitṛ, que coloca los tesoros. Tú eres Bhaga, oh señor de los hombres, que gobierna las riquezas; tú eres el guardián en la casa de quien te ha servido.

Mantra 8

त्वामग्ने दम आ विश्पतिं विशस्त्वां राजानं सुविदत्रमृञ्जते । त्वं विश्वानि स्वनीक पत्यसे त्वं सहस्राणि शता दश प्रति ॥

A ti, oh Agni, en la casa los pueblos te ponen al frente: como señor del linaje, a ti como rey que trae el recto discernimiento. Tú gobiernas todos los poderes luminosos y las huestes ordenadas; te mantienes frente al impulso mil veces, cien veces, diez veces, dominándolo en su empuje hacia delante.

Mantra 9

त्वामग्ने पितरमिष्टिभिर्नरस्त्वां भ्रात्राय शम्या तनूरुचम् । त्वं पुत्रो भवसि यस्तेऽविधत्त्वं सखा सुशेवः पास्याधृषः ॥

A ti, oh Agni, los hombres con sus ofrendas te hacen Padre; para el hermano te vuelves el compañero benévolo, de cuerpo resplandeciente. Te vuelves el Hijo de quien te encendió; eres el amigo de la buena gracia y proteges, inaccesible al daño.

Mantra 10

त्वमग्न ऋभुराके नमस्यस्त्वं वाजस्य क्षुमतो राय ईशिषे । त्वं वि भास्यनु दक्षि दावने त्वं विशिक्षुरसि यज्ञमातनिः ॥

Tú, oh Agni, eres Ṛbhu, el artífice diestro, digno de adoración en la cumbre; tienes señorío sobre la plenitud de la fuerza y la rica abundancia. Brillas y enciendes a lo largo de la senda del dar recto; eres el maestro del discernimiento que extiende ampliamente el sacrificio (yajña).

Mantra 11

त्वमग्ने अदितिर्देव दाशुषे त्वं होत्रा भारती वर्धसे गिरा । त्वमिळा शतहिमासि दक्षसे त्वं वृत्रहा वसुपते सरस्वती ॥

Tú, oh Agni, para el dador eres Aditi, oh dios, la vasta Liberadora; tú eres el hotṛ, Bhāratī, que crece por el himno. Tú eres Iḷā, el sustento de muchos cauces para la fuerza de la destreza recta; tú eres Vṛtrahan, matador del Encubridor, señor de las plenitudes, Sarasvatī de la inspiración que fluye.

Mantra 12

त्वमग्ने सुभृत उत्तमं वयस्तव स्पार्हे वर्ण आ संदृशि श्रियः । त्वं वाजः प्रतरणो बृहन्नसि त्वं रयिर्बहुलो विश्वतस्पृथुः ॥

Tú, oh Agni, bien sostenido, eres la más alta fuerza vital; en tu resplandor deseable las esplendideces llegan a la visión clara. Tú eres Vāja, la plenitud que nos hace cruzar; tú eres Rayi, rica abundancia, ancha por todas partes.

Mantra 13

त्वामग्न आदित्यास आस्यं त्वां जिह्वां शुचयश्चक्रिरे कवे । त्वां रातिषाचो अध्वरेषु सश्चिरे त्वे देवा हविरदन्त्याहुतम् ॥

A ti, oh Agni, los Āditya te hicieron su boca; a ti, oh vidente, los Puros te hicieron su lengua. Hacia ti, en los sacrificios, se estrechan los compañeros del dar; en ti los dioses prueban y participan de la oblación ofrecida.

Mantra 14

त्वे अग्ने विश्वे अमृतासो अद्रुह आसा देवा हविरदन्त्याहुतम् । त्वया मर्तासः स्वदन्त आसुतिं त्वं गर्भो वीरुधां जज्ञिषे शुचिः ॥

En ti, oh Agni, todos los Inmortales, sin engaño, participan de la oblación ofrecida, del havis presentado. Por ti los mortales saborean el deleite exprimido (el soma); tú, el Puro, naces como el embrión de las plantas que brotan.

Mantra 15

त्वं तान्त्सं च प्रति चासि मज्मनाग्ने सुजात प्र च देव रिच्यसे । पृक्षो यदत्र महिना वि ते भुवदनु द्यावापृथिवी रोदसी उभे ॥

Tú eres a la vez reunido y enfrentado, por tu grandeza, oh Agni bien nacido; y tú, oh dios, desbordas más allá de toda medida. Cuando aquí, por tu poder, se hace patente tu fuerza que robustece, entonces Cielo y Tierra, los dos mundos, siguen tu ensanchamiento.

Mantra 16

ये स्तोतृभ्यो गोअग्रामश्वपेशसमग्ने रातिमुपसृजन्ति सूरयः । अस्माञ्च ताँश्च प्र हि नेषि वस्य आ बृहद्वदेम विदथे सुवीराः ॥

Esos sabios que, para los cantores, hacen avanzar el don, rico en rebaños de vacas y en vigor de caballos, oh Agni: condúcelos, a ellos y a nosotros, hacia adelante, al bien más alto. Que en el vidatha proclamemos lo Vasto, dotados de energías heroicas.

Inside Sukta 1

How it unfolds

  1. Where it opens

    Agni is hailed as the all-born, pure fire arising from multiple cosmic and earthly sources, yet present ‘within us.’

  2. Development

    The hymn unfolds Agni’s roles and relationships—he is made father by offerings, becomes a kindly brother-companion, becomes son of the kindler, and remains an unassailable friend and protector.

  3. Climax

    Agni is asked to guide both patrons who give and poets who praise into ‘the better good’ (vasyaḥ), aligning generosity, ritual speech, and divine leading.

  4. Where it settles

    It ends with a communal aspiration: to speak the ‘Vast’ (bṛhat) in the assembly (vidatha) and to flourish with heroic energies (suvīra).

The deity: Agni

  • In the VedaAgni is the bright, pure flame and the divine priest who is born in many ways—kindled from wood, produced from stone, found in waters, and shining from the luminous heights—yet made present by human kindling and offering. He is addressed as nṛpati (“lord of men”) and as a protector-friend who cannot be overcome.
  • Cosmic functionMediator between humans and gods: he carries oblations to the deities, awakens and orders the sacrifice, and sustains ṛta (cosmic order) through the correct ritual fire.
  • Inner significanceThe awakened will and discernment (inner fire) that purifies intention, transforms offerings into insight, and leads the seeker from scattered powers toward a unified, ‘vast’ clarity.

The seer

  • Gṛtsamada (Bhārgava)Bhṛgu/Bhārgava lineage (Gṛtsamada family within the Bhṛgus) · Primary seer of much of Maṇḍala 2, celebrated for robust Agni-centered praise that links cosmic fire with the domestic sacrificial fire and the patron’s prosperity.

Famous verses

त्वमग्ने द्युभिस्त्वमाशुशुक्षणिस्त्वमद्भ्यस्त्वमश्मनस्परि । त्वं वनेभ्यस्त्वमोषधीभ्यस्त्वं नृणां नृपते जायसे शुचिः ॥
Verse 2.1.1Programmatic opening: declares Agni’s many births (heaven, waters, stone, wood, plants) and locates him as the pure flame kindled within humans—setting the hymn’s cosmic-to-domestic bridge.Read verse 2.1.1 →
त्वामग्ने पितरमिष्टिभिर्नरस्त्वां भ्रात्राय शम्या तनूरुचम् । त्वं पुत्रो भवसि यस्तेऽविधत्त्वं सखा सुशेवः पास्याधृषः ॥
Verse 2.1.9Captures Agni’s intimate, relational theology—father, brother, son, and gracious friend—showing how ritual kindling creates a living bond of protection and companionship.Read verse 2.1.9 →
ā bṛhad vadema vidathe suvīrāḥ
Verse 2.1.16Concluding benediction linking patronage and praise: Agni is invoked to lead both giver and singer to greater welfare and to grant powerful speech and heroic vitality in the assembly.Read verse 2.1.16 →

Attributes of the deity

  • Many-born (from heaven, waters, stone, wood, plants)
  • Śuci (pure, bright)
  • Hotṛ/priest and messenger of offerings
  • Protector and ally (sakhā)
  • Leader/guide to welfare (netā to vasyaḥ)
  • Relational deity: father, brother, son, friend

Also by this seer

  • Principal authorship of many hymns in Rig Veda Maṇḍala 2 (notably Agni hymns such as RV 2.1–2.7 and allied praise hymns)
  • Associated with the Bhārgava stream of ritual-poetic transmission emphasizing Agni as priest (hotṛ) and guide (netṛ)

The rite, step by step

  • Prepare the vedi (altar space) and arrange kindling (samidh) and kuśa grass
  • Invoke Agni with opening praise; kindle the fire with samidh while reciting the initial verses
  • Offer ghee (ājyāhuti) into the flame, requesting Agni to carry the offering and protect the rite
  • Continue with additional oblations (as appropriate) and petitions for protection, good guidance, and prosperity for patron and singers
  • Conclude with a blessing: may Agni lead both giver and chanter to the better good and grant strong offspring/heroic strength (suvīra)

Offerings

  • Ghee (ājya)
  • Kindling sticks (samidh)
  • Optional: milk/curds in domestic settings; soma-related offerings in larger rites (context-dependent)

Frequently Asked Questions

It presents Agni as the universal fire—born in many forms in nature and kindled in the home—who purifies, protects, and carries offerings to the gods, guiding people to prosperity and right order.

It poetically describes fire’s many manifestations and sources: lightning in the sky, hidden heat in waters, sparks from stone, and flame produced from wood and plants—showing Agni as present throughout the cosmos.

It is well-suited for beginning a fire offering or a simple lamp/fire prayer: kindle the flame, offer ghee (or a symbolic offering), and recite with the intention that inner clarity and protection arise along with outer worship.

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